Senior Program Manager

ARS is seeking a Senior Program Manager to support full-spectrum security operations and classified program requirements for the Cyber Resiliency Office for Weapon Systems (CROWS). The Senior Program Manager will support CROWS leadership in planning, coordinating, monitoring, and executing program management initiatives, including cost, schedule, performance, requirements, strategic communications, and organizational reporting.

This position requires experience in U.S. Air Force weapon systems acquisition, senior executive briefings, and project management certification or training. The candidate will work with CROWS leadership, team leads, cyber focus teams, program office representatives, and other stakeholders to maintain program execution visibility and support informed decisions.

Why Work with us? Applied Research Solutions (ARS) is respected as a world-class provider of technically integrated solutions as we deliver premier talent and technology across our focused markets for unparalleled, continuous mission support. Awarded a Best Places to Work nominee since 2020, ARS recognizes that without our career- driven, loyal professionals, we would not be able to deliver state-of-the-art results for our mission partners.

We firmly believe that prioritizing our employees is of the upmost importance. We provide a culture where our employees are challenged to meet their career goals and aspirations, while still obtaining a work/life balance. ARS employees are motivated through our industry competitive benefits package, our awards and recognition program, and personalized attention from ARS Senior Managers.

Responsibilities include

Assist CROWS leadership with managing projects and programs against established cost, schedule, and performance baselines. Coordinate with CROWS management, team leads, program office representatives, and extended stakeholders to prepare working group, leadership, and strategic meetings. Support DoD and Department of the Air Force program and project analysis, planning, organization, and execution activities.

Assist with reviewing, developing, and implementing program policies, guidance, and operating instructions. Coordinate with team leads, cyber focus teams, and members to update and prioritize program action plans. Maintain the CROWS five-year budget and program schedules, ensuring alignment with current action plans. Develop and coordinate strategic and executive-level briefings for CROWS leadership and senior stakeholders, including AFLCMC/CC, SAF/AQ, and AFLCMC/FM.

Plan and support meetings, telecommunications, and coordination with internal and external organizations. Support CROWS leadership in administering and improving the requirements management process flow. Coordinate and maintain monthly activity, year-in-review, historical, quad-chart, and other program reports. Manage the CROWS workflow box and track correspondence, assignments, and follow-up actions.

Prepare, review, and update CROWS operating instructions. Maintain action item trackers for key leadership and program meetings; record, assign, and monitor action item completion. Document and maintain lessons learned to support continuous process improvement. Provide additional program execution and leadership support as requested.

Other duties as assigned. Qualifications/ Technical Experience Requirements: Must be a US citizen Master’s or Doctorate degree in a related field and at least 10 years of experience in the relevant technical/professional discipline, including at least 5 years in the DoD; OR Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least 12 years of relevant technical/professional experience, including at least 5 years in the DoD; OR At least 15 years of directly related experience, including at least 8 years in the DoD.

Must possess and maintain an active Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) clearance; Tier 5 investigation required. Experience in U.S. Air Force weapon systems acquisition. Experience preparing and delivering senior executive-level briefings. Project management certification or training required (the PWS does not specify a particular certification).

Demonstrated senior-level expertise, independent judgment, and ability to oversee or guide junior and journeyman personnel. Advanced knowledge of program management standards, procedures, and practices, with an ability to work across program office, enterprise, and staff-level organizations. Strong skills in program planning, cost and schedule tracking, written communications, stakeholder coordination, meeting support, and action management.

All positions at Applied Research Solutions are subject to background investigations. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history and identity check. This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-741.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on disability and requires affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified individuals with disabilities.

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). This regulation prohibits discrimination against qualified protected veterans and requires affirmative action by covered contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans.