Senior Program Manager - Fixed Price Software Development Portfolio (5137)

SMX•Herndon, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

SMX is seeking a Senior Program Manager to oversee and manage a portfolio of fixed price (FFP) software development programs. This strategic role requires a seasoned professional with deep expertise in fixed price contract execution, financial management, and software delivery. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of delivering complex software projects on time, within budget, and meeting contractual commitments while managing risk in a fixed price environment. Critical to this role is extensive experience in Financial Systems modernization, particularly Oracle implementation projects (Oracle ERP Cloud, EPM, HCM, or related enterprise applications). The portfolio includes significant financial system transformation programs requiring deep domain knowledge. This position is based in Washington, DC and requires regular onsite presence. The Senior Program Manager will serve as the bridge between corporate business functions (Finance, Contracts, Operations) and individual Project Managers, ensuring portfolio-level visibility, financial discipline, and successful program outcomes.

Requirements

Hands-on leadership of Oracle financial system implementations (ERP Cloud, EPM, HCM or equivalent), including GL, AP/AR, procurement, budgeting, reporting, data migration, security, and Chart of Accounts design
Strong understanding of Oracle Cloud architecture, integrations (REST/SOAP, OIC), and full lifecycle delivery (requirements through post–go-live support)
Experience with financial system modernization for federal, state/local, or large enterprise environments; government standards (FSIO, JFMIP, Treasury) preferred
Proven capability leading Organizational Change Management for enterprise financial transformations
Extensive experience managing large, fixed price software programs with positive financial outcomes
Expertise in EVM, cost accounting, forecasting, spend plans, and variance analysis
Strong contract management skills, including FAR/DFARS interpretation and change control
Experience managing complex cost structures (labor, subcontractors, ODCs, materials)
Deep knowledge of SDLC methodologies (Agile, SAFe, Scrum, Waterfall, Hybrid) and modern practices (DevSecOps, CI/CD, cloud-native)
Ability to assess technical architectures, delivery strategies, and risk across concurrent programs
Executive-level communication, stakeholder management, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills
Proven ability to lead large, cross-functional teams and portfolios of Project Managers
Proficiency with program/project management tools (MS Project, Jira, Confluence, Smartsheet), collaboration platforms, and ERP/financial systems
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Master’s preferred)
8–10+ years of program/project management in software development environments
5+ years managing fixed price software contracts
Minimum 3-5 years of direct experience managing Oracle financial system implementation programs (ERP Cloud, EPM, HCM, or equivalent enterprise financial applications)
Track record delivering multiple concurrent programs ($5M+), leading teams of 20+ personnel, on time and on budget

Nice To Haves

Oracle ACE or Oracle partner certification
Experience with multiple Oracle Cloud modules (Financials, Procurement, Project Management, Grants Management, HCM)
Background implementing Oracle for Federal Civilian agencies (Treasury, SSA, Education, HHS, etc.) or large state governments
Experience with DoD, Federal Civilian, or Intelligence Community clients
Knowledge of government accounting standards, GASB, FASAB, or OMB circulars
Experience obtaining Authority to Operate (ATO) for financial systems including FedRAMP authorization
Background in DevSecOps, Cloud migration, Data Analytics, or AI/ML software development programs
Experience with other enterprise financial platforms (SAP, Workday, PeopleSoft) as a comparison point
Prior experience as a financial systems consultant, business analyst, or functional lead before transitioning to program management
Track record of improving program management processes and organizational maturity
Experience supporting proposals and contract negotiations for fixed price software development

Responsibilities

Oversee a portfolio of fixed price software development programs, ensuring delivery within contractual scope, schedule, and budget constraints
Monitor and manage Estimate at Completion (EAC) across all programs, proactively identifying and mitigating cost overruns
Drive rigorous change control processes to protect contract margins and prevent scope creep
Establish and enforce delivery milestones aligned with contractual requirements and payment schedules
Ensure all programs maintain healthy financial performance with regular variance analysis and corrective action planning
Lead Oracle implementation programs including ERP Cloud, EPM (Enterprise Performance Management), HCM (Human Capital Management), and related financial applications
Manage complex financial system integrations, data migrations, and business process transformations
Navigate the unique challenges of financial system modernization including compliance requirements (FISMA, FedRAMP), security authorizations (ATO), and regulatory frameworks
Partner with client CFO organizations, controllers, and financial operations teams to ensure solutions meet financial management requirements
Oversee Oracle consulting resources, implementation partners, and technical teams delivering financial modernization projects
Ensure adherence to financial system implementation best practices, GAAP compliance, and audit readiness
Develop and manage complex spend plans across multiple concurrent fixed price programs, forecasting labor, materials, and subcontractor costs
Partner with Finance to monitor Earned Value Management (EVM) metrics, burn rates, and financial health indicators
Collaborate with Contracts team to ensure compliance with contract terms, deliverables, and acceptance criteria
Manage contract modifications, negotiate change orders, and protect company interests in fixed price environments
Conduct regular financial reviews with corporate stakeholders and escalate risks impacting profitability
Implement comprehensive risk management frameworks specific to fixed price delivery models
Identify technical, schedule, and financial risks early; develop and execute mitigation strategies
Establish program governance structures including status reporting, escalation procedures, and decision-making frameworks
Conduct regular program health assessments and Executive Business Reviews (EBRs)
Maintain program reserves and contingency planning for fixed price risk management
Provide strategic oversight and mentorship to Project Managers responsible for individual programs within the portfolio
Partner with corporate business functions including Finance, Contracts, HR/Talent Acquisition, and Operations
Serve as primary escalation point for program issues requiring cross-functional resolution
Lead client relationship management at the program level, ensuring customer satisfaction while protecting contractual position
Facilitate coordination across multiple programs to optimize resource utilization and knowledge sharing
Ensure adherence to software development best practices, quality standards, and delivery methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid)
Drive continuous improvement in estimation accuracy, delivery velocity, and defect reduction
Establish and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for schedule adherence, cost performance, quality metrics, and customer satisfaction
Implement lessons learned processes to improve future fixed price proposal and execution strategies
Champion reuse of software components, processes, and methodologies across the portfolio
Identify opportunities for contract growth, scope expansions, and follow-on work within existing programs
Support proposal development with lessons learned from portfolio execution
Provide feedback to Business Development on pricing strategies, risk factors, and competitive positioning for fixed price opportunities
Contribute to corporate strategy for fixed price software development practice growth