Program Manager, Defense & National Security

Auburn University • Auburn, AL

35d

About The Position

The Charles D. McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University seeks an experienced Program Manager to lead execution across its Defense and National Security portfolio. This position may be located in the Huntsville Research and Innovation Campus, or Washington, DC. Reporting to the Director of Program Management, the Program Manager is responsible for disciplined delivery of sponsored programs supporting the U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Secret Service. This role ensures that all programs follow McCrary's PMO standards, align with technical direction from the Senior Technical and Lab Director, and meet all sponsor, contractual, and financial requirements. The Program Manager serves as the primary execution lead for assigned accounts and works closely with technical teams, contracting partners, and Business Development and Capture to support program growth and the expansion of McCrary's Defense and National Security footprint. Why Join McCrary? The McCrary Institute defends the systems that power our national and economic security, our communities, and our way of life. Through its Edge Lab, McCrary integrates research, policy, and real-world operations to deliver practical cybersecurity solutions. By joining our team, you will play a leading role in building the infrastructure and workforce that will protect America's most critical systems - right here in Auburn, Alabama.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related field.
• 7 years of experience managing programs or projects in U.S. government contracting.
• Program Management Expertise: Deep understanding of program management principles, including scheduling, budgeting, risk management, and performance reporting.
• Advanced Communication Skills: Exceptional ability to brief and engage with senior stakeholders and federal sponsors, ensuring clarity and confidence in all interactions.
• Multitasking and Prioritization: Proven capability to manage multiple complex projects and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in project control tools such as MS Project, Primavera, or equivalent platforms for effective planning and tracking.
• Relationship Building: Demonstrated success in establishing and maintaining trusted partnerships with government customers and key stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Desired Qualifications

Responsibilities

• Program Execution: Lead day to day execution for assigned DoD, DHS, and USSS programs, ensuring contract compliance, disciplined delivery, and alignment with sponsor requirements.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and deliverables using McCrary's PMO standards, including WBS, risk registers, IPT governance, and formal reporting.
• Conduct internal monthly reviews and produce all inputs for sponsor Quarterly Business Reviews.
• Maintain strict documentation and data handling protocols for sensitive and controlled information. This role requires strict adherence to sensitive information handling protocols due to the nature of work with U.S. Department of Defense and U.S. Secret Service programs
• Technical Integration: Coordinate directly with the Senior Technical and Lab Director to maintain technical fidelity across all deliverables. Support integration of the Edge Lab's Validation and Field Deployment teams into federal program workstreams. Ensure technical teams have clear tasking, resourcing, and constraints to execute effectively.
• Customer and Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary customer-facing lead for assigned programs, maintaining trusted relationships with program officers, CORs, and technical sponsors. Facilitate recurring sponsor engagements, status updates, and formal reviews. Identify risks early, communicate them clearly, and drive resolution plans with internal and external stakeholders.
• Contract, Vendor, and Financial Oversight: Oversee subcontractors and vendors to ensure performance and alignment with contractual requirements. Coordinate contract modifications, funding actions, and period-of-performance tracking. Partner with Administration and Finance to monitor program budgets, burn rate, and financial forecasting.
• Growth and Proposal Support: Support Business Development and Capture by providing staffing plans, execution strategies, schedules, and past performance. Identify portfolio growth opportunities based on customer needs, mission gaps, and emerging requirements. Represent McCrary at events, meetings, and industry engagements relevant to defense and homeland security missions.
• Team Leadership: Provide direction to project staff, mentor junior team members, and promote a culture of disciplined execution and continuous improvement. Ensure consistent application of PMO standards across all projects in the portfolio.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Life-Changing Impact: Our work changes lives through research, instruction, and outreach, making a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the world.
• Culture of Excellence: We are committed to leveraging our strengths, resources, collaboration, and innovation as a top employer in higher education.
• We're Here for You: Auburn offers generous benefits, educational opportunities, and a culture of support and work/life balance.
• Sweet Home Alabama: The Auburn/Opelika area offers southern charm, vibrant downtown scenes, top-ranked schools, and easy access to Atlanta, Birmingham, and the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
• A Place for Everyone: Auburn is committed to fostering an environment where all faculty, staff, and students are welcomed, valued, respected, and engaged.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees