Program Manager - Production Test Systems

Woodward L'Orange•Rockford, IL

8h•$115,000 - $184,000

About The Position

Woodward is committed to creating a great workplace for all team members. Our company and its members are committed to acting with integrity, being respectful and accountable to one another, and staying humble and driven, while maintaining the highest professional and ethical standards. We are steadfastly committed to attracting the best talent across our communities, creating a rewarding workplace. Together we are fulfilling our purpose to design and deliver energy control solutions our partners count on to power a clean future. Woodward supports our members’ wellbeing and regularly benchmarks with other companies in our industry to offer an extensive Total Reward package for this position. Salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data. The Program Manager is a seasoned leader responsible for driving strategic initiatives and delivering measurable outcomes across complex programs. They oversee program governance, artifacts, and life cycle deliverables, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and business value. With strong leadership, the Program Manager inspires cross-functional teams, fosters collaboration, and builds trust to achieve high performance. They excel in strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and effective communication tailored to diverse audiences, including executives and team members. Proficient in risk management, analytical problem-solving, and financial oversight, they proactively address challenges and optimize resources to meet program objectives. Skilled in advanced methodologies like Agile at Scale and tools such as Jira, they manage interrelated projects, dependencies, and risks while driving synergy across initiatives. Additionally, the Program Manager facilitates change management, secures stakeholder buy-in, and establishes governance frameworks to ensure accountability, transparency, and program success.

Requirements

Leadership (indirect)
Strategic Thinking and Alignment
Communication
Stakeholder Management
Risk Management
Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Financial and Resource Management
Program Governance
Change Management
Technical Program Management Skills
This position requires use of information which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and/or the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).   All applicants must be U.S. Persons within the meaning of the ITAR and EAR, or eligible to obtain all required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce. The ITAR defines a U.S. Person as a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident (i.e., 'Green Card holder'), or a protected person (e.g., asylee, or refugee).

Responsibilities

Lead programs.
Mentors Project Managers and Project Coordinators.
Accountable for program results.
Accountable for program artifacts (strategy, benefits, scope, schedule, budget, risk, quality, project integration, ROI, etc.).
Lead program Governance.
Accountable for program gates and deliverables.
Leads cross-functional teams with vision, motivation, and emotional intelligence.
Builds trust, inspiring collaboration, and fostering team performance.
Takes personal ownership of the program and drives commitment from team members.
Ability to align programs with organizational strategies and goals to deliver business value.
Understands the broader vision and ensures projects contribute to achieving it.
Communicates effectively to all audiences, including executives, team members, and stakeholders.
Tailors' messages to different stakeholders and facilitates open, clear communication.
Engages, influences, and manages stakeholders at all levels.
Identifies and addresses stakeholder needs, expectations, and concerns.
Identifies, assesses, and mitigates risks across the program and its projects.
Develops contingency plans to manage uncertainties effectively.
Applies critical thinking to analyze complex problems, evaluate data, and make informed decisions.
Uses metrics, KPIs, and other tools to track program progress and address issues proactively.
Manages budgets, forecasts costs, and tracks financial performance across the program.
Allocates and manages resources (time, budget, personnel, and materials) efficiently across multiple projects.
Establishes frameworks for decision-making, accountability, and oversight.
Ensures the program complies with organizational policies and standards.
Manages organizational change and ensures successful adoption of program outcomes.
Addresses resistance to change and fosters stakeholder buy-in for program initiatives.
Coordinates multiple interrelated projects using advanced methodologies (e.g., Agile at Scale, Lean Portfolio Management) and tools (Planisware, Jira, etc.) to align with organizational goals and deliver measurable outcomes.
Manages dependencies, mitigates risks, and ensures synergy across projects within a program to maximize value and achieve program-wide objectives.
Establishes clear governance structures, defines success metrics, and communicates progress effectively with executives and cross-functional teams to maintain alignment and transparency

Benefits

Estimated annual base pay: $115,000 (minimum) - $149,000 (midpoint) - $184,000(maximum)
All members included in annual cash bonus opportunity.
401(k) match (4.5%)
Annual Woodward stock contribution (5%)
Tuition reimbursement and Training/Professional Development opportunities for all members
12 paid holidays, including floating holidays.
Industry leading medical, dental, and vision Insurance upon date of hire
Vacation / Sick Time / Vacation Buy-up / Short Term Disability / Bereavement leave.
Paid parental leave.
Adoption Assistance
Employee Assistance Program, including mental health benefits.
Member Life & AD&D / Long Term Disability / Member Optional Life
Member referral bonus
Spouse / Child Optional Life / Optional AD&D / Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending
Voluntary benefits, including: Home / Auto Insurance discounts Whole Life Insurance / Critical Illness Insurance / Legal Assistance / Military Leave