Sr Program Planning and Scheduling Manager

Sierra Nevada Corporation•Englewood, CO

About The Position

The Senior Program Planning and Scheduling Manager oversees development, management, and optimization of integrated master plans and schedules for complex, strategic aerospace and defense programs. The role provides strategic direction, ensures coordination and alignment with program objectives, manages schedule risks, resolves high-level conflicts, and promotes improvements in planning and execution. It also mentors planning and scheduling teams and contributes scheduling expertise to strategic decisions. The position supports SNC’s ISR, Aviation, and Security business area and its work on the U.S. Air Force Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) mission, modernizing and delivering the next-generation SAOC aircraft. The position may be performed in an office or hybrid environment and may require occasional travel for training or meetings. It requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for the clearance. The estimated starting salary range is $173,260.72–$238,233.49, with annual incentive pay based on performance. SNC offers benefits including medical, dental, and vision plans, a 401(k) with a 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, three weeks of paid time off, and tuition reimbursement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field; relevant experience may substitute for the education requirement.
At least 11 years of experience in program planning and scheduling, including at least 4 years in a leadership role.
If the candidate has no degree, at least 15 years of related experience is required; a higher-level relevant degree may substitute for experience.
Proven leadership abilities, including change management, mentoring, career development, training, succession planning, accountability, and conducting yearly reviews.
Advanced skills in Microsoft Project Professional or a similar scheduling tool and familiarity with Earned Value Management tools.
Experience developing and maintaining resource-loaded integrated master schedules, including detailed schedule analysis, health assessments, schedule risk assessments, and critical/driving path analysis.
Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance; U.S. citizenship is required for the clearance.
Ability to work in an office or hybrid environment and use a computer for extended periods.
Strong hand and finger dexterity for computer tasks.
May require occasional travel for training or meetings.

Nice To Haves

Extensive experience with Microsoft Project or similar project scheduling tools.
In-depth knowledge of Earned Value Management principles and systems, including Earned Value Management Systems.
Comprehensive understanding of DCMA 14-point and IPMDAR DI_MGMT-81861.
Strong understanding of MIL-STD-881.
Advanced application of Critical Path Analysis and Schedule Risk Analysis.
Proficiency in Schedule Performance and Health Metric Analysis.
Strong knowledge of engineering design and life-cycle concepts.
Expertise assembling and building Integrated Master Schedules.
Deep understanding of event-based versus product-based schedules.
Proficiency in Integrated Master Plan and Integrated Master Schedule development.
Thorough understanding of Work Breakdown Structure development.
Experience with rolling-wave planning and detailed analysis of resource-loaded integrated master schedules.
Experience coaching, mentoring, and teaching team members.
Ability to work across multiple software systems and understand system relationships.
Ability to develop and conduct stakeholder learning sessions.
Foundational understanding of Program Management processes.
Knowledge of DoD, government contracting, and/or public auditing policies, standards, and procedures.
Experience supporting employee training, including onboarding, continuing education curricula, and certification testing.

Responsibilities

Oversee preparation, development, and coordination of integrated master plans and schedules for complex, strategic programs.
Track and maintain project plans and schedules, ensuring horizontal and vertical integration across the enterprise.
Lead advanced risk analysis to identify, assess, and mitigate significant schedule risks.
Resolve critical path and network logic conflicts using project management techniques such as Gantt, PERT, and milestone charts.
Evaluate schedule compliance across the organization and address causes of major completion shortfalls through strategic interventions.
Prepare and present detailed reports and presentations on schedule status to senior stakeholders and executive leadership, with strategic insights and recommendations.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate, timely, comprehensive scheduling data and effective communication.
Develop and implement advanced scheduling best practices and continuous-improvement initiatives.
Mentor and guide junior and intermediate analysts in advanced scheduling techniques and best practices.
Participate in strategic planning and decision-making, using scheduling expertise to shape organizational priorities and align them with business objectives.
Coordinate, generate, and integrate Schedule Risk Assessments for enterprise-level projects.
Analyze schedule data to uncover critical risks and opportunities and present strategic findings to executives and stakeholders.
Facilitate resource leveling, validate remaining work, identify and resolve critical path conflicts, and analyze schedule impacts of proposed changes.
Support employee training, including onboarding, continuing education, and certification testing.