Program Manager - Contigent

We are seeking an experienced, strategic Program Manager to lead the planning, direction, and successful execution of large, multi-year defense financial, comptroller, and program management support initiatives. Serving as the primary leadership point of contact, you will oversee complex technical, analytical, and administrative operations segmented across multiple sub-programs and tasks. You will ensure all project goals, deliverables, budgets, and schedules are met to the highest standards of quality and stakeholder satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership & Execution: Provide overall program definition, organization, and direction for short- and long-range plans. Formulate, guide, and direct technical approaches across diverse project management methodologies (including Waterfall, Spiral Development, Critical Path, and Agile/Scrum).
• Financial & Resource Management: Establish and control technical milestones, schedules, budgets, and costs. Develop Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates, allocate resources, track labor-hour execution, and oversee financial reporting and variance analyses.
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Serve as the primary liaison with government leadership, including the Procuring Contracting Officer (PCO), Contract Specialist (CS), and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Lead biweekly contract status meetings and participate in annual program reviews.
• Risk & Quality Control: Proactively identify operational, schedule, and performance risks, implementing effective mitigation and corrective action plans. Enforce strict quality control standards across all deliverables, personnel rosters, and monthly management reports.
• Team & Subcontractor Oversight: Manage, mentor, and allocate cross-functional teams and subcontractor personnel, ensuring compliance with mandatory training, security protocols, and technical instructions.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in any technical or managerial discipline.
• Experience: Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in program/project management.
• Security Clearance: Must possess an active, favorably adjudicated background investigation (up to Secret clearance eligibility) with active enrollment in the Continuous Vetting (CV) program.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency in up-to-date government and industry software tools, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, Planner, Teams, Power BI), Adobe Acrobat, Google Suite, and familiarity with Jira.
• Compliance & Operations: Working knowledge of Operations Security (OPSEC) protocols, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) handling, and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) / Joint Travel Regulations (JTR) compliance.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced Education: Master’s degree in Mathematics, Engineering, M.B.A., or another technical degree.
• Domain Experience: 20+ years of relevant experience directly supporting U.S. Navy programs.
• Certifications: Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or DAWIA Level III certification in Program Management.
• Specialized Systems & Methodologies: Experience applying Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) in complex engineering environments, as well as familiarity with Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (N-ERP), Defense Travel System (DTS), Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW), and Confluence.

Location: Primary performance locations include Port Hueneme, CA; White Sands Missile Range, NM; Virginia Beach, VA; Norfolk, VA; San Diego, CA; and Mayport, FL, with potential support at remote sites and worldwide locations including Manama, Bahrain; Changi, Singapore; and Sasebo, Japan.

About Ares Enterprise

Ares Enterprise, LLC is a Woman-Owned Small Business delivering innovative information technology solutions and professional services to Federal Government customers. Our capabilities include enterprise IT operations, cybersecurity, cloud modernization, application development, IT service management, and mission-focused technology solutions.

We seek experienced professionals who combine technical expertise, leadership, accountability, and a commitment to delivering exceptional service to our government customers.

Ares Enterprise is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment in accordance with applicable employment laws.