At American Rheinmetall Munitions, we believe in satisfied customers and healthy, engaged employees. We listen to our customers and develop transformational technology that delivers critical lethality capabilities to our Warfighters while also providing challenging and fulfilling careers to our employees.
We are a leader in the design, development and production of critical Soldier lethality solutions including large and medium caliber ammunition families, long-range artillery, and mortar and infantry systems. We are dedicated to supporting today's highest military modernization priorities and committed to delivering unmatched advancements in munitions technologies that empower and protect the members of our U.S. Armed Forces and ensure their safe return home.
In the past two years, we've invested to increase production capabilities by building a new facility and opening two new production lines to support current and future programs as we continue to grow our business and execute our goals. If you're interested in a meaningful career that directly supports our Warfighters, we encourage you to apply today.
We are looking for a program management expert to join our team as Vice President of Program Management in our new Vienna, Virginia office. If you are a strategic, customer-focused and results-oriented leader with ten years' experience managing complex defense programs through the entire program lifecycle, we invite you to click the apply button to share your qualifications with us.
Minimum Salary $190k, hybrid schedule 3 days/week onsite
Competitive benefits include health insurance, company-paid and voluntary life insurance products, 401(k), paid time off, and education reimbursement.
EOE, including veterans/disability
JOB SUMMARY
The Vice President of Program Management is a key strategic senior leadership position responsible for the successful planning, execution, and delivery of American Rheinmetall Munitions’ full portfolio of programs and contracts. The VP of Program Management provides executive oversight and directs program execution across the organization, supervises program managers executing individual projects, and ensures that programs are delivered on time, within scope, within budget, and in accordance with contractual requirements. This role is also responsible for building program strategies, managing resources, monitoring timelines, developing the Program Management organization, and promoting clear responsibilities and opportunities for team members to succeed.
The VP of Program Management serves as a primary senior interface for U.S. program activities with customers, internal departments, suppliers, industry partners, and Rheinmetall affiliates. The role requires strong leadership, sound judgment, customer focus, and the ability to operate effectively in a complex, multinational, multiorganizational defense environment.
The VP of Program Management has financial responsibility for supporting the development of cost estimates and budgets prior to the official start of a program, managing ongoing program budgets and actual costs, ensuring appropriate billing of labor hours and workload across programs, and achieving profitability targets during program execution.
This role is responsible for delivering and controlling large-scale programs and projects, including overall budget responsibility, financial performance monitoring, resource planning, and coordination with Finance to support strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, cost planning, and program financial reviews.
- Provide executive oversight of all programs and implement performance objectives in terms of cost, schedule, technical performance, customer satisfaction, and profitability.
- Manage the creation and execution of program management plans in accordance with contractual requirements.
- Ensure disciplined program execution by allocating, coordinating, and monitoring internal and external resources.
- Ensure all aspects of the program portfolio are delivered on time, within scope, within budget, and in accordance with contractual, technical, and quality requirements.
- Direct and supervise the creation of detailed project plans to monitor and track progress, including Integrated Master Schedules, Contract Work Breakdown Structures, and other program management tools as required.
- Lead the Program Management team by example, ensuring adherence to company processes, operating procedures, contractual obligations, and disciplined execution standards.
- Develop and refine the organizational structure within the Program Management department to promote clear responsibilities, accountability, professional development, and opportunities for team members to succeed in their roles.
- Determine staffing requirements for the department, recruit required personnel in cooperation with Human Resources, assign performance objectives, allocate resources, and evaluate performance in accordance with company policies.
- Serve as the final adjudicator of requirements for compliance and configuration management.
- Oversee change impact analyses for Engineering Change Proposals, evolving requirements, and developmental program changes.
- Support final review and approval of program-related customer, partner, or internal documents and statements in accordance with contractual, legal, and company requirements.
- Report program status, risks, issues, opportunities, and recommended actions to the CEO and senior management.
- In conjunction with the Chief Financial Officer or Controller, support strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, cost planning, and program financial performance activities.
- Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Contracts, Supply Chain, Finance, Business Development, and other functional leaders to manage technical requirements, execution plans, resources, and program deliverables.
- Manage internal and external relationships with customers, stakeholders, suppliers, industry partners, third parties, and Rheinmetall affiliates to ensure program performance is optimized and achieved.
- Ensure the Program Management department provides exceptional customer service and supports future business development by successfully managing customer relationships and program performance.
- Minimize program risks by performing risk assessments and developing, implementing, and monitoring risk mitigation strategies.
- Promote continuous improvement of program management processes, tools, operating procedures, reporting methods, and execution efficiencies.
- Participate in the capture of future programs by assigning program management support for bids, proposals, estimates, reviews, and customer engagements.
- Support collaboration across the organization and with overseas colleagues to ensure all stakeholders have the information required to perform effectively.
- Undertake other duties as assigned by the CEO.
This role supervises multiple Program Managers and Project Managers administratively and operationally. This includes assigning clear duties, responsibilities, objectives, and performance expectations to subordinates; developing the Program Management team; promoting accountability and teamwork; and evaluating performance in accordance with company policies.
- Strong understanding of U.S. DoD program execution, acquisition processes, contracting practices, and terminology.
- Thorough understanding of and experience using project management and planning tools such as MS Project, Integrated Master Schedules, Work Breakdown Structures, and Microsoft Office applications.
- Knowledge of government regulations as they relate to defense products, including ITAR, ATF, and other applicable regulatory requirements.
- Ability to lead effectively, motivate teams, and develop high-performing cross-functional organizations.
- Practical, hands-on leadership style with the ability to operate independently, take initiative, balance analysis with action, and pursue increased responsibilities.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure, and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to communicate effectively with external and internal customers, leadership, suppliers, Rheinmetall affiliates, and other key stakeholders, both orally and in writing.
- Ability to present technical, commercial, contractual, and programmatic solutions to customers and internal stakeholders.
- Strong consultation, diplomacy, influencing, and negotiation skills.
- Ability to explain complex concepts clearly to audiences with varying levels of technical or programmatic knowledge.
- Demonstrated ability to promote collaboration and facilitate teamwork across the organization and with external service providers.
- Must be tactful, diplomatic, and able to work with integrity, honesty, and respect for others.
- Strong listening skills and customer focus, with the ability to understand customer concerns and respond promptly and effectively.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally, including travel to Rheinmetall locations, customer sites, production facilities, and test locations, as required.
- Intermediate skills in keyboarding, computer usage, and operating controls.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance, if required.
Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline, such as engineering, physical science, computer science, information technology, or business.
Experience
- Ten years of U.S. Government or defense industry project and program management experience.
- Experience delivering complex defense programs from planning through execution, production, delivery, and closeout.
Background Prerequisites
Must undergo and meet company standards for background check, employment verification, reference checks, and controlled substance testing.
- MBA or advanced degree desired.
- Program Management Professional certification, Defense Acquisition University certification, or equivalent program management certification preferred.
- Experience in capture, bid and proposal support, contract negotiations, program planning, and delivery.
- Experience in military ammunition programs, munitions production, defense manufacturing, or contract management.
- Experience working with Rheinmetall affiliates, international partners, or foreign-owned defense companies.
- Familiarity with Lean Six Sigma, systems engineering, earned value, and continuous improvement principles.
With or without reasonable accommodation, this position requires the physical and mental capacity to perform effectively all essential functions. In addition to other demands, the demands of the job include:
- Majority of work performed in an office environment.
- Occasional visits to industrial production facilities that may have excessive noise and require long periods of walking or standing.
- Occasional exposure to production environments, test ranges, or other operational areas requiring personal protective equipment.
- Ability to see, hear, speak, and write clearly in order to communicate with employees, customers, suppliers, and stakeholders.
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required, up to 25%.
- Ability to lift up to 25 pounds occasionally.
