Senior Program Manager

Crystal Group•Cedar Rapids, IA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for leading the successful execution of complex, high-value customer programs from contract award through completion. Serving as the primary customer interface, this role provides strategic leadership across cross-functional teams to ensure exceptional execution, customer satisfaction, contractual compliance, and financial performance. This position owns all aspects of program execution including cost, schedule, technical performance, delivery, risk, and profitability while proactively identifying opportunities to improve business performance and customer outcomes. The Senior Program Manager serves as a trusted advisor to customers and executive leadership, mentors other program managers, and drives continuous improvement.

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
7+ years of progressively responsible program or project management experience within aerospace, defense, manufacturing, or another highly regulated industry
Demonstrated success leading complex, multi-disciplinary customer programs
Proven success managing programs with significant financial responsibility and contractual complexity
Experience mentoring or coaching Program Managers or project leaders

Nice To Haves

Master of Business Administration
Demonstrated experience working with ERP and/or CRM (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.
Advanced 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
Advanced knowledge of program management principles across the full product lifecycle.
Familiarity with rugged computing systems, embedded hardware, and defense-grade electronics preferred
Strong understanding of government contracting, defense programs, and customer contract execution.
Advanced leadership skills with the ability to influence executive stakeholders and cross-functional organizations.
Advanced business and financial acumen, including forecasting, profitability analysis, pricing impacts, and resource management.
Strong conflict resolution skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex programs simultaneously.
Proven ability to identify organizational risks and implement strategic mitigation plans.
Strong understanding of manufacturing operations, engineering development, and supply chain processes.

Responsibilities

Lead execution of complex and strategically significant customer programs while managing cost, schedule, technical performance, quality, delivery, profitability, and risk.
Provide ownership of assigned programs with comprehensive 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.
Develop and execute program strategies that align customer objectives with Crystal Group's operational and financial goals.
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 the subcontracts management team to ensure supplier performance supports overall program objectives.
Partner with Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Finance, Quality, Manufacturing, and Business Development to ensure successful program execution.
Present program status, risks, forecasts, and financial performance to leadership and customers.
Identify contractual, technical, schedule, and financial risks while developing mitigation strategies and driving timely resolution.
Support proposal development, contract negotiations, transition-to-execution planning, and major contract modifications.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve program execution, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
Mentor and coach Program Managers while promoting program management best practices across the organization.
Support PMO process development, standardization, and strategic initiatives.