Program Manager

About Blue Water Thinking

Guided by our principles of value generation, continuous innovation, customer-centricity, and vested collaboration, Blue Water Thinking proudly supports our Federal clients in achieving their Agency goals.

Founded by a decorated twenty-eight year Veteran of the United States Army, Blue Water Thinking understands and supports the mission of our Nation's war fighters, Veterans, their families and caretakers.

Leveraging our executive team's military experience and private and public sector consulting expertise, Blue Water Thinking takes an integrated "one-team" approach and brings to bear best-fit solutions, thought leadership, and grit to meet our client's transformational needs.

Fueled by our values of integrity, respect, professionalism, stewardship and customer service, the Blue Water Thinking team understands the power of the human connection, collaboration, humility and loyalty to one another, our clients and industry partners.

Lastly, our formula for success is simple: Build something good, take care of our people, keep our clients satisfied, nurture our work ethic and reputation, build long-lasting partnerships, enjoy what we do and give back as much as possible.

Job Description

Blue Water Thinking is seeking an experienced and dedicated Program Manager to join our team, supporting a large project at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The primary responsibility of this role is to leverage expertise in the designated field or discipline to provide solutions to organizational challenges and contribute to the implementation of strategic initiatives. The Program Manager will lead teams of engagement managers, task leads, and other staff to ensure successful execution of program goals.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for senior leadership and client stakeholders, facilitating regular communication to provide status updates, address concerns, and adjust program objectives as necessary.
• Manage all aspects of contract oversight, including compliance with terms and conditions, deliverable tracking, contract modifications, reporting, and closeout activities, while ensuring alignment with client objectives and government regulations.
• Provide leadership in the development of solutions for organizational challenges, drawing on significant experience from similar engagements.
• Participate in the creation and implementation of strategy, assessing the impact of industry trends, policies, and standard methodologies.
• Direct the activities of engagement managers, task leads, and staff on specific tasks related to the designated field or discipline.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align program activities with organizational goals and ensure compliance with established standards and methodologies.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of program activities to ensure they meet client requirements and objectives.
• Oversee the successful delivery of program goals, ensuring timelines and budgets are adhered to.
• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts by identifying opportunities for operational efficiencies and enhancing program delivery.
  
  

The position operates on a hybrid work schedule, requiring on-site presence of up to five days every pay cycle at the Department of Veterans Affairs, 811 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 10 years of relevant work experience in program management.
• Proven experience in launching and standing up new programs, including developing program frameworks, setting strategic goals, and establishing operational processes.
• Proven experience in establishing and managing a Program Management Office (PMO), including developing PMO processes, governance frameworks, and ensuring effective project oversight and delivery across multiple workstreams.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in leading large-scale programs and projects.
• Strong experience in developing and implementing solutions for organizational challenges.
• Experience managing teams of engagement managers and task leads to execute strategic goals.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in a related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience with federal contracting, particularly in the healthcare or government sector.
• Expertise in process improvement and operational efficiency.
  
  

Eligibility:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain the required federal public trust clearance for this role.
  
  

Compensation:

Salary for this position is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, location, the candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, as well as contract-specific affordability and organizational requirements.

The proposed salary range for this position is $140,000 - $160,000.

Blue Water Thinking offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), paid time off, federal holidays, and a matching 401K plan.

Our Commitment to Diversity

Blue Water Thinking, LLC (BWT) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other protected status.

Applying for this Job:

• Resume must be submitted in word document format and must include dates in each section (experience, education, certifications...)
• Candidates must fill out the below form to the best of their knowledge