Security Clearance: Active SECRET Clearance Required
Position Status: Pending Contract Award
Position Overview:
Check Defense is a fast-growing federal contractor seeking an experienced Deputy Program Manager (DPM) to support the execution of a large-scale U.S. Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Training, Maintenance, Logistics, and Mission Support Services contract. The Deputy Program Manager serves as the Program Manager’s principal assistant and provides day-to-day operational oversight of contract activities, ensuring successful execution of all performance, staffing, quality, safety, and customer support requirements.
The DPM will coordinate across multiple functional areas including UAS maintenance, instruction, logistics, aviation support, information technology, quality assurance, and administrative operations. The successful candidate must have strong leadership skills, contract management experience, and the ability to engage effectively with Government representatives while managing a diverse workforce supporting Army aviation and unmanned systems programs.
Duties and responsibilities:
- Assist the Program Manager in the overall management and administration of contract operations.
- Serve as the acting Program Manager during periods of absence and exercise full authority over contract operations.
- Monitor contract performance to ensure compliance with all Performance Work Statement (PWS) requirements, government directives, and company policies.
- Coordinate daily operations across all functional departments to ensure mission success and uninterrupted customer support.
- Support execution of the Program Management Plan (PMP) and associated operational initiatives.
- Participate in Program Management Reviews (PMRs), In-Process Reviews (IPRs), customer meetings, and performance briefings.
- Track contract deliverables, reporting requirements, and performance metrics.
- Oversee day-to-day execution of training, maintenance, logistics, and mission support activities.
- Coordinate staffing resources to ensure operational requirements are met.
- Monitor workforce productivity, utilization, and performance.
- Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency, quality, and mission effectiveness.
- Ensure timely resolution of customer concerns and operational issues.
- Provide leadership and guidance to supervisors, managers, instructors, maintainers, logistics personnel, and support staff.
- Support workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, employee development, and retention initiatives.
- Ensure employee qualifications, certifications, and training requirements remain current.
- Assist with performance management, corrective actions, and employee relations matters.
- Support implementation and administration of the Quality Control Plan (QCP).
- Monitor compliance with contract requirements, Army regulations, aviation standards, and company procedures.
- Participate in internal audits, inspections, corrective action programs, and quality reviews.
- Ensure accurate and timely submission of required reports, data calls, and contract documentation.
- Support safety, environmental, security, and risk management programs.
- Assist in budget planning, labor forecasting, and resource allocation.
- Monitor staffing levels, labor utilization, and operational costs.
- Assist with invoice validation, financial reporting, and contract administration functions.
- Support property accountability and government-furnished equipment oversight.
Required Qualifications
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Active SECRET security clearance with the ability to maintain clearance eligibility.
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Program Management, Aviation Management, Engineering, Military Science, or related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of management or supervisory experience supporting Department of Defense contracts.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting aviation, unmanned systems, maintenance, logistics, training, or military operations programs.
- Demonstrated experience leading multi-disciplinary teams in complex operational environments.
- Experience supporting large service contracts with multiple functional work centers.
- Strong understanding of government contract operations, workforce management, and performance metrics.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience serving as a Deputy Program Manager, Operations Manager, Site Manager, Project Manager, or equivalent leadership position.
- Experience supporting U.S. Army Aviation, TRADOC, USAACE, or UAS training programs.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or higher certification.
- Military aviation, maintenance, or unmanned aircraft systems experience.
- Familiarity with:
- Army aviation regulations
- UAS maintenance programs
- Government property accountability systems
- Logistics and supply chain management
- Quality Management Systems (QMS)
- Risk Management Frameworks (RMF)
Physical Requirements
- Ability to work in office, maintenance, flight line, warehouse, and training environments.
- Ability to travel occasionally in support of contract requirements.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds when required.
- Ability to obtain access to military installations and controlled work areas.