Program Manager

Crystal Group•Cedar Rapids, IA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Manager is responsible for the successful execution and delivery of assigned programs from contract award through completion. Serving as the primary customer interface, this role leads cross-functional teams to achieve program objectives while ensuring customer satisfaction, contract compliance, and execution excellence. The Program Manager maintains comprehensive ownership of program performance, balancing cost, schedule, technical execution, delivery commitments, and risk to deliver successful outcomes.

Requirements

Must be a US Person (US Citizen, person granted US Permanent Resident Card or any individual granted status as a "protected person")
Bachelor's degree in business or related field
3-5 years of program, project, or operations management experience within aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or another highly regulated industry
Experience leading cross-functional projects or customer programs
Demonstrated ability to manage cost, schedule, customer expectations, and competing priorities
Proficient in program management principles, forecasting, risk management, contract execution, and customer relationship management.
Familiarity with rugged computing systems, embedded hardware, and/or industrial/defense-grade electronics
Ownership mindset with a high degree of accountability and commitment to execution excellence.
Customer-focused with the ability to build trusted relationships through responsiveness, transparency, and consistent delivery.
Strong business acumen with the ability to balance customer priorities, operational execution, and financial performance.
Influential leader capable of driving alignment and achieving results across cross-functional teams without direct authority.
Structured, analytical, and critical thinker with strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
Strong planning, organization, and prioritization skills in a fast-paced environment.
Effective verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present clearly to customers, leadership, and cross-functional teams.
Collaborative team player who builds strong partnerships across engineering, operations, supply chain, finance, quality, and customer organizations.

Nice To Haves

Master of Business Administration
Familiarity with forecasting, CRM systems, and pipeline management tools (Salesforce, EPICOR, etc.).
Strong financial literacy, including understanding of pricing models, gross margin, and EBITDA
Experience leading cross-functional teams through the full program lifecycle, from proposal support and contract award through delivery and sustainment.
Experience presenting to executive leadership, key clients, or other high-stakes audiences, with the ability to clearly communicate complex technical and business information in a professional and persuasive manner
Ability to obtain and maintain any required security clearance, if applicable

Responsibilities

Lead execution of assigned programs while managing cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, delivery, profitability, and risk.
Maintain comprehensive ownership and situational awareness of contract status, forecasts, production readiness, engineering milestones, financial performance, customer commitments, and business risks.
Serve as the primary customer-facing representative and internal point of contact building long-term relationships through proactive communication, issue resolution, and execution excellence.
Execute customer programs in accordance with contractual requirements while ensuring delivery commitments are achieved.
Lead cross-functional teams through complex technical and operational challenges while influencing decisions without direct authority.
Manage program financial performance, including forecasting, revenue recognition support, margin performance, change management, and resource planning.
Partner with subcontracts management team to monitor subcontractor performance and ensure timely achievement of program milestones.
Coordinate with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, Manufacturing, and Business Development to ensure successful program execution.
Establish and manage customer expectations throughout the program lifecycle.
Provide accurate customer reporting, leadership updates, and program performance metrics.
Lead internal program management workflows while identifying risks, driving corrective actions, and promoting continuous improvement.