The Rocky Mountain Division (RMD) of Applied Research Associates (ARA), Inc., is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Program Manager to join our dynamic team and help lead our Littleton, CO office by providing onsite support. As the Senior Program Manager, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing and driving the successful execution of complex projects and initiatives. Your primary responsibility will be to ensure seamless project management from inception to completion, coordinating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality outcomes within established timelines and budgets. Your deep understanding of project management methodologies and best practices will be instrumental in optimizing project workflows, risk management, and resource allocation. Additionally, your strategic mindset and exceptional leadership abilities will allow you to mentor and guide project managers, ensuring they meet their objectives and excel in their roles. Beyond project management, you will also be a key player in the company's growth and business development efforts. Leveraging your expertise in identifying new business opportunities, cultivating partnerships, and driving expansion initiatives, you will be instrumental in driving the organization's success and achieving strategic business goals. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, possess outstanding communication skills, and have a track record of success in both project management and business development, we invite you to join the Rocky Mountain Labs Group as a Senior Program Manager and make a significant impact on our company's future.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee the end-to-end project management process, ensuring successful planning, execution, monitoring, and closure of projects while adhering to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Mentor, guide, and support project managers, providing them with the necessary tools and resources to effectively manage their projects and deliver exceptional results.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and executives to understand business needs, translate them into actionable project plans, and align project outcomes with overall business objectives.
• Identify new business opportunities, partnerships, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Develop and execute business development strategies, including proposal writing, contract negotiations, and cultivating client relationships to drive revenue growth and market expansion.
• Continuously assess and optimize project management processes, seeking opportunities for improvement, scalability, and efficiency to enhance overall project delivery.
• Provide regular project status updates and performance metrics to leadership and stakeholders, highlighting achievements, risks, and mitigation strategies.
• Work on location or in person, as remote work options are not available for this position.
• The successful candidate will develop a plan for new work looking to diversify the portfolio within the group.

• Marketing, Business Development, and Proposals
• Emphasize technical excellence and outstanding customer support as the foundation for customer satisfaction, follow-on work, and marketing
• Lead marketing/business development for current and new clients to meet group’s growth goals (Minimum of 10% growth/year)
• Meet with Government and industry customers, partners, and ARA team members on a regular basis to guide, review, and plan future projects
• Develop annual business plan and supporting marketing plans as needed
• Participate in Group, Division, Sector, and Company-level business and strategic planning sessions
• Present group-wide capabilities for various purposes as needed and/or directed, and collaborate with other units in ARA on multi-disciplinary opportunities
• Lead proposal efforts and prepare cost estimates in line with ARA and the division’s policies and procedures
• Collaborate effectively with other groups/divisions on joint proposals

• Project and Resource Oversight
• Hold project managers accountable for high technical quality and customer support in all group projects
• Oversee project quality reviews, budget, and schedule performance

• Talent Management
• Recruit individuals based on the needs of current and future projects
• Coach and develop project managers and other direct reports informally and in accordance with ARA’s performance management system
• Develop positive working relationships with other leaders to ensure division/company-wide cooperation and coordination on joint marketing, proposals, and project efforts

Senior Program Manager Must Haves:

• Bachelor's (or equivalent) with 10 years of experience OR 15 years of experience in lieu of degree.
• US Citizen, with a minimum of active Secret clearance
• Demonstrated leadership experience as a Group Leader or Project Manager overseeing a large project
• Demonstrated marketing and business development skills
• Motivated to market and develop business, understand the critical nature of this activity to ARA’s growth goals
• Demonstrated ability to effectively plan and manage resources and budgets (personnel, projects, proposals, OH, and service centers)
• Demonstrated proposal writing and management skills
• Desire to grow and build electromechanical design and prototyping efforts and/or technical areas of interest with an entrepreneurial drive
• Positive presence in front of customers
• Strong interpersonal skills; leads by example
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Strong work ethic: willing to do what it takes and make sacrifices as needed
• Persistent; doesn’t give up easily
• Interested in self-development and continuous learning in technical area and general business operations
• Demonstrated business acumen

Qualifications

Behaviors

• Required
  • Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
  • Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
  • Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
  • Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest
  • Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
  • Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

• Required
  • Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help
  • Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals
  • Entrepreneurial Spirit: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business
  • Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Education

• Preferred
  • Bachelor's or higher

Experience

• Required
  • 10-15 years: Demonstrated leadership experience as a Group Leader or Program Manager overseeing large projects; the ability to develop and implement strategic plans and manage budgets.
  • 5-20 years: Management or leadership capacity

Licenses & Certifications

• Preferred
  • PMP Certification