Career Overview: One of the most exciting and challenging jobs in DoD Contracting is Program Manager. Program Manager positions are usually equivalent to military officer positions. For most DoD contracts the program manager is the position given the responsibility, authority and personnel to achieve a specific program objective. The success of the program rest with the Program Manager. Program Managers usually have worked their way up the management ranks of their specific DoD contracting career field such as Engineering, IT, Logistics, Finance or Project Management to name a few. Likewise, many military officers are provided government program management training and assigned as military program managers who work side by side with their civilian counterparts. Upon retirement or separation from the service these officers have good foundation to make the switch to a civilian program manger.
Whether a DoD contractor program manager works their way up the DoD contractor management chain or has a military background in program management, the position requires broad knowledge of the DoD contracting process to include; systems acquisition and sustainment processes, contracting and sub contracting, business development, engineering, finance, project management, earned value management, logistics management, configuration management, IT, cybersecurity, facilities security, and DoD systems development and sustainment processes. Additionally, Program Management requires excellent leadership skills, high emotional intelligence, and a strong desire to serve the people you lead.
Career Path: Similar to the military entry level program managers often start out with small less complex programs of about $1M to $4M in total annual contract value for example to install a new software system (Lieutenants and Captains). Mid level program managers are assigned programs of approximately $5-$10M in total annual contract value for example to sustain a military data center (Lieutenants and Captains), senior program mangers have programs of $10M- $50M in total annual contract value for example to field a new radar system (Majors & Lieutenant Colonels) and executive level program managers run programs for $50M to $100M+ in total annual contract value for example to field a major capability i.e Joint Strike Fighter or a new reconnaissance satellite system (Colonels & Generals). The program sizes here are just estimates, but should provide a general guide of the responsibilities of program managers.
Career progression beyond program manager is usually Vice President or President of a DoD contractor business unit or division and these positions usually manage multiple programs and program managers. Progressing beyond Vice President and President are the C level executive positions. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and the Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Salaries: Program Manager salaries vary by region, but start around ~$100k for entry level and can be in excess of $250k for executive level program managers not including annual bonuses. The next career progression beyond program manager is usually Vice President or President of a DoD contractor business unit or division and these positions usually manage multiple programs and program managers. Progressing beyond Vice President and President are the C level executive positions. Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and the Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Professional Organizations: The Project Management Institute (PMI) is one of the leading professional organizations for Program Managers
Training & Certifications: For program managers the main civilian credential that aids career progression and is often a requirement for defense contractor program management jobs is the Professional Project Manager (PMP) or Program Management certification. Additionally, formal training in Earned Value Management System (EVMS) from companies like Humphreys & Associates or available via the Defense Acquisition University (DAU) is invaluable. Likewise, while not required, but very helpful is the completion of the Defense Acquisition University Program Management training offered to Military and DoD civilian workforce. Similarly, most large DoD contractors have their own internal program management course that is provided to new program managers or promising program management candidates.
Education: Most program management positions require a bachelors degree and having a masters degree is highly recommended. In my experience, having a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) related degree is valued more over other disciplines.
Job Search: To review currently open program manager jobs that DoD contractors are actively hiring for I recommend going to the career page of several of the DoD contractors profiled on this site and searching for jobs with the titles “Program Manager”, “Technical Program Manager”, and “Deputy Program Manager” and review the jobs and job requirements that come up.