Program Manager, State & Local Programs

Auburn University•Auburn, AL

50d

About The Position

This position may be based on the Auburn campus or at Auburn's Huntsville location. The Charles D. McCrary Institute for Cyber and Critical Infrastructure Security at Auburn University seeks an experienced Program Manager, State & Local Programs to lead the execution of major cybersecurity and critical infrastructure initiatives across Alabama and the Southeast. This position plays a central role in delivering the Institute's Whole-of-State cybersecurity strategy in partnership with the Alabama Office of Information Technology (AOIT), including the operation of the Alabama Cybersecurity Intelligence Center (ACIC). The Program Manager will also manage federally funded programs with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of Transportation (DOT) and its agencies (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)), and other public-sector partners working to safeguard America's critical infrastructure. Reporting to the Director of Program Management, the Program Manager will oversee all phases of program delivery, from planning and execution to reporting and closeout, ensuring technical excellence, sponsor satisfaction, and mission alignment. This position requires close collaboration with the Senior Technical & Lab Director and other technical leads across the Institute's Edge Lab, which integrates the Southeast Region Cybersecurity Collaboration Center (SERC3) for OT validation and the ACIC for statewide cyber operations and field deployments. Why Join McCrary? The McCrary Institute defends the systems that power our national and economic security, our communities, and our way of life. By joining the team, you will help shape the future of cybersecurity for critical infrastructure-advancing real-world solutions through applied research, policy, and partnerships. Located in the Auburn University Research Park, the Institute partners with leading federal agencies and state governments to deliver national-scale impact.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree Business, Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related field and
7 years of program or project management experience with state or federal government contracts.
Proven ability to manage complex programs across multi-agency environments.
Demonstrated experience leading cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, or IT modernization projects.
Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building skills.
Proficiency with project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent.
Familiarity with federal and state contracting, reporting, and compliance procedures.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Cybersecurity, Engineering, or Public Administration.
Program Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
Experience working with state or local government cybersecurity initiatives, including ISAC/SOC environments.
Familiarity with Whole-of-State cybersecurity strategies, public-sector resilience planning, or operational technology (OT) cybersecurity.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary program execution lead for State of Alabama initiatives, including AOIT and the ACIC, as well as related programs with USDA, DOT/FMCSA, NHTSA, and FAA.
Manage scope, schedule, budget, and deliverables in accordance with sponsor and university requirements.
Oversee contract performance and compliance using standardized PMO tools such as work breakdown structures (WBS), schedules, risk registers, and performance dashboards.
Coordinate with McCrary's technical leads and engineers to ensure deliverables meet mission, security, and technical standards.
Conduct monthly internal reviews and lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with sponsors and partners.
Manage subcontractors, vendors, and teaming partners to ensure alignment with performance and reporting requirements.
Support business development and proposal efforts by providing input on execution strategies, staffing plans, and performance data.
Build and maintain relationships with key agency sponsors and partners, including AOIT, FEMA, USDA, DOT, and Alabama's city and county governments.
Identify and mitigate program risks while ensuring transparency and accountability in communication with sponsors and McCrary leadership.
Lead assigned project teams, setting priorities, establishing expectations, and fostering a results-driven, mission-aligned culture.
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.

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