Program Manager (Innovation with Academia - Student Prototyping)

The Tatitlek Corporation•Mountain View, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Innovation with Academia (IWA) Student Prototyping Program Manager serves as a program leader within the Defense Innovation Unit's Innovation with Academia program. IWA connects Department of War (DoW) mission problems with university talent, research, and expertise to develop pathways from problem discovery through prototyping, commercialization, transition, and ultimately capability the Department can use. The IWA Student Prototyping program utilizes experiential learning to inspire students to experience work in the National Security Industrial Base by matching highly talented undergraduate and graduate students to deliver rapid, early-stage prototypes, whether technical or policy centered, that help solve the mission partner’s problem. The Student Prototyping Program Manager is responsible for leading the planning, execution, performance, and continuous improvement of IWA’s student prototyping programs and initiatives. This role translates strategic direction into executable program plans, coordinates across government, academic, industry, and contractor stakeholders, and ensures program activities remain aligned to mission needs, milestones, and intended outcomes. The Program Manager serves as the primary leader, subject matter expert, and ambassador for the program. This position is responsible for the planning, execution, performance management, and continuous improvement of program activities. The Program Manager oversees all phases of the program lifecycle, ensuring successful delivery of objectives, alignment with client requirements, and achievement of organizational goals. The ideal individual will have the ability to exercise good judgment in a diversity of situations, with excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities and equities in a high-tempo environment serving DIU’s mission. The ideal candidate is a collaborative and results-driven professional with strong program management, stakeholder engagement, and operational leadership skills. This role requires the ability to manage complex initiatives, coordinate cross-functional teams, oversee budgets and resources, and effectively communicate with government, academic, and internal stakeholders.

Requirements

10+ years of experience in program management, program operations, strategic initiatives, or related roles in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Program Management, Public Administration, Engineering, Education, National Security Studies, or a related field.
Demonstrated ability to lead programs from planning through execution, including managing priorities, milestones, deliverables, risks, dependencies, and outcomes.
Strong ability to translate strategic direction into executable plans, bring structure to ambiguity, and adapt programs as priorities and needs evolve.
Ability to effectively navigate and connect government, academic, technical, and external stakeholders with different cultures, incentives, and ways of working.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use data and program metrics to assess results, identify gaps, and drive continuous improvement.
Demonstrated ability to improve and evolve program design, processes, and delivery—not simply maintain existing operations.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop clear briefings, recommendations, reports, and decision materials for senior leaders and external stakeholders.
Ability to operate independently, exercise sound judgment, anticipate issues, and drive accountability and follow-through across teams and partners.
Proficiency with AI-enabled tools, CRM/project management systems, and other technologies to improve program execution, analysis, workflows, and decision support.
Must pass a pre-employment drug screening, as well as have acceptable reference and background check results.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with or within higher education institutions is highly valued, including an understanding of academic culture, decision-making, faculty and student engagement, and university operating rhythms.
Familiarity with the Department of War, national security, defense innovation, university research, prototyping, commercialization, or dual-use technology ecosystems is highly valued.
Experience with program budgets, funding, procurement, federal programs, or contractor-delivered programs is beneficial.
Master's degree preferred.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Experience supporting the Department of War, federal government programs, and/or academia.
Experience working with Salesforce.
Familiarity with government contracting, acquisition processes, and program execution.
Experience developing performance measurement frameworks and program analytics.
Experience collaborating with geographically dispersed or matrixed teams.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and continuous improvement of assigned IWA student prototyping program(s) and initiatives.
Translate government direction and program objectives into executable plans, milestones, deliverables, and operating rhythms.
Ensure successful delivery of program requirements, milestones, deliverables, and outcomes.
Communicate program status, achievements, risks, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
Establish, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) and program metrics to measure effectiveness and impact.
Identify and implement process improvements that enhance operational efficiency, participant experience, and program outcomes.
Ensure responsible stewardship of program funding while maintaining compliance with contractual, organizational, and regulatory requirements.
Coordinate across IWA programs and cross-cutting functions to ensure effective intake and handoffs and integrated execution.
Prepare executive-level briefings, recommendations, decision materials, and program reporting for government leadership.
Develop and maintain program documentation, operating procedures, and performance records.
Serve as the primary point of contact for all student prototyping program activities.
Build and maintain productive relationships with a broad range of stakeholders including members of the senior management team, government contractors, Federal civilian and military personnel, university researchers, entrepreneurship faculty, prototyping faculty, and student teams.
Foster collaboration among diverse partners to advance program objectives.
Prepare and deliver executive-level briefings, reports, presentations, and program documentation.
Communicate program status, achievements, risks, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned in support of organizational objectives.
Support special projects and strategic initiatives as needed.