Deputy Program Manager

Tactica Solutions • Huntsville, AL

4d • $120,000 - $150,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Deputy Program Manager provides senior-level leadership and operational oversight for complex defense contractor programs supporting U.S. Government and Department of Defense customers. This role partners closely with the Program Manager to ensure successful execution across cost, schedule, performance, risk, quality, and personnel management. The Deputy Program Manager is responsible for helping lead multi-functional teams, managing customer and stakeholder expectations, supporting financial performance, monitoring contract deliverables, and driving disciplined program execution across geographically dispersed locations. The position requires a mission-focused leader who can balance customer requirements, corporate objectives, workforce performance, contract compliance, and operational risk in a high-visibility defense contracting environment. This is a leadership role focused on program execution, business operations, customer engagement, team performance, and accountability for measurable program outcomes.

Requirements

• 7-10 years of demonstrated/practical experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cost, schedule, performance, risk, quality, and personnel in a complex contract environment.
• Experience supporting or managing CPFF, T&M, and FFP contract types.
• Strong financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, spend planning, cost tracking, and variance analysis.
• Experience managing contract deliverables, program schedules, status reports, action item lists, and executive-level briefings.
• Ability to lead geographically dispersed teams across multiple locations.
• Strong personnel leadership skills, including mentoring, performance management, workforce planning, and conflict resolution.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government customers, military stakeholders, corporate leadership, subcontractors, and vendors.
• Experience coordinating with functional teams such as contracts, finance, HR, recruiting, procurement, subcontract management, and operations.
• Strong risk identification, issue resolution, and corrective action management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Project, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Ability to prepare professional reports, dashboards, briefings, and decision-support materials for senior leaders.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in business, management, logistics, engineering, operations, or a related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Active U.S. Government security clearance; TS/SCI preferred.
• Prior experience supporting Department of Defense customers in a Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) role within government program offices.
• Experience with U.S. Army, aviation, aerospace, missile defense, logistics, sustainment, or acquisition programs.
• Experience managing multi-site CONUS and OCONUS operations.
• Familiarity with Earned Value Management principles and program performance reporting.
• Experience managing subcontractors, consultants, vendors, purchase orders, invoices, and contract modifications.
• Experience supporting proposal development, task order responses, and growth initiatives.
• Demonstrated success improving operational efficiency, standardizing processes, and increasing team productivity.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Program Manager to oversee daily operations, program priorities, customer requirements, and contract performance.
• Lead execution across multiple functional areas, including operations, logistics, business administration, subcontractor coordination, vendor management, and personnel management.
• Support successful delivery of contractual requirements, milestones, deliverables, and customer commitments.
• Maintain visibility across program performance and ensure issues are elevated, tracked, and resolved in a timely manner.
• Drive operational discipline, accountability, and execution consistency across geographically dispersed teams.
• Support management of program budgets, funding lines, spend plans, forecasts, and financial performance.
• Monitor program cost and assist in identifying cost variances, funding risks, and corrective actions.
• Support monthly forecasting, invoicing, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Assist in preparing task order proposals, and contract modification inputs.
• Coordinate with finance, contracts, cost control, and program leadership to ensure accurate and timely financial management.
• Oversee program schedules, action item tracking, milestones, and contract deliverables.
• Monitor schedule performance and identify risks that may impact delivery timelines or customer commitments.
• Support development and maintenance of Integrated Master Schedules, program reviews, status reports, and executive briefings.
• Ensure timely completion of Contract Data Requirements Lists, Program Management Reviews, reports, and other contractual deliverables.
• Coordinate with internal teams, subcontractors, vendors, and customers to resolve conflicts and execution barriers.
• Monitor overall program performance against contract requirements, customer expectations, and corporate objectives.
• Establish and track performance metrics to measure progress, identify trends, and support leadership decision-making.
• Support development of corrective action plans to improve program execution, productivity, and efficiency.
• Prepare clear, executive-level reporting for senior government and corporate stakeholders.
• Identify, assess, and manage program risks related to cost, schedule, performance, staffing, quality, subcontractors, and customer requirements.
• Maintain risk and issue tracking processes to ensure timely visibility and resolution.
• Collaborate with customer, corporate, and functional stakeholders to resolve programmatic issues.
• Anticipate execution challenges and recommend practical solutions that protect program objectives.
• Ensure program activities are executed in accordance with contract requirements, company policies, quality standards, and government expectations.
• Support standard operating procedures, documentation discipline, quality assurance, configuration management, internal controls, and process improvement initiatives.
• Lead, mentor, develop, and evaluate assigned personnel, site leads, managers, subcontractor personnel, and support staff.
• Support staffing plans, workforce allocation, recruiting coordination, retention efforts, and employee development.
• Foster a high-performing team culture built on accountability, communication, professionalism, and mission focus.
• Coordinate with Human Resources, recruiting, retention, contracts, finance, and functional leaders to meet workforce requirements.
• Ensure personnel are properly assigned, trained, supported, and aligned to program priorities.
• Resolve personnel issues professionally and in accordance with company policies and contract requirements.
• Serve as a trusted interface with government customers, military stakeholders, subcontractors, vendors, and corporate leadership.
• Maintain strong working relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders.
• Communicate program status, risks, requirements, and recommendations clearly and professionally.
• Support customer meetings, Integrated Product Teams, Program Management Reviews, and executive briefings.
• Respond quickly to customer needs, program issues, and changing requirements.
• Support business growth by identifying opportunities, assisting with proposal development, and contributing to customer satisfaction.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree