Sr. Program Manager (4227) (Boulder, CO)

As a Senior Program Manager at SMX, your primary responsibilities will include program management support, cost report development, and facilitating contract management. You'll oversee schedule development, CDRL generation, and support for status and customer meetings. Your role will also involve managing dependencies and risks, generating monthly status reports, and initiating program startup support to establish a robust infrastructure.

To qualify for the Senior Program Manager role at SMX, candidates should possess a BS or advanced degree in Business Administration or a related field, along with a minimum of 7 years of experience in a project engineering, program management, or finance role. Preferred qualifications include experience managing programs in the defense and aerospace sectors and familiarity with tools like Excel, MS Project, and PowerPoint.

The Senior Program Manager position at SMX requires the ability to obtain a DOD Secret Clearance. While having an active or interim DOD Secret clearance is preferred, U.S. Citizenship is required due to security protocols.

The Senior Program Manager will be involved in projects focused on the development of space-ground systems and real-time data processing frameworks. This includes overseeing the processing of OPIR sensor data for applications such as Missile Warning, Missile Defense, and Battlespace Awareness.

Desired skills for the Senior Program Manager role at SMX include experience with remote sensor systems, familiarity with CostPoint and Salesforce, and having a PMI Certification. Strong organizational abilities, attention to detail, and excellent communication skills are also critical to success in this position.

When answering this question, focus on specific projects you’ve managed, emphasizing any challenges faced and how your leadership contributed to successful outcomes. Highlight key skills such as cost management, team collaboration, and timeline adherence.

Discuss your methods for prioritization, which might include using project management tools or techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix to effectively manage tasks based on urgency and importance. Provide examples of how this approach benefited previous projects.

Share your strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks. Use real-life examples to illustrate how you have proactively managed risks in complex projects, maintaining open communication with stakeholders throughout.

Provide specific examples of your involvement in managing contracts and ensuring compliance. Explain how you maintain rigorous oversight and the processes you implement to ensure adherence to contract terms.

Emphasize your leadership style and techniques for fostering a collaborative environment. You might discuss strategies such as regular team check-ins, feedback loops, and celebrations of successes to motivate and engage your team.

Discuss the project management tools you are most comfortable with, such as MS Project or Excel, and explain how you utilize them for tracking progress, managing resources, and reporting to stakeholders.

While specific technical knowledge may vary, highlight your familiarity with OPIR systems and how they relate to missile warning and defense applications. Discuss any relevant experiences you have in managing projects or teams related to sensor data.

Illustrate your project planning process, focusing on setting realistic milestones and how you monitor progress towards these goals. Mention tools or techniques you use to keep the project on track and address any delays promptly.

Talk about essential traits such as strong communication skills, attention to detail, and proactive problem-solving abilities. Provide examples of how these traits have contributed to your success in previous roles.

Describe your approach to conflict resolution, including active listening and finding common ground. Use an example where your approach led to a positive outcome, reinforcing your ability to maintain strong client relationships.