Lead Program Management Specialist

Summary The Lead Program Management Specialist is responsible for leading complex aerospace programs from initiation through delivery, ensuring commitments are achieved on schedule, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This role provides overall program leadership across cross-functional teams, balancing strategic planning with day-to-day execution to deliver successful outcomes for the business and the customer. The role requires strong program leadership, disciplined execution, stakeholder alignment, and a proactive approach to risk management. The successful candidate will work closely with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, finance, quality, and commercial teams to drive program performance and operational excellence across the full program lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities Lead assigned programs through all phases of execution, ensuring alignment to established program management processes, governance, and decision gates. Build and maintain integrated program plans covering scope, schedule, cost, resource requirements, risks, opportunities, and key deliverables. Drive execution across cross-functional teams, creating clear accountability and ensuring actions are closed on time. Identify program risks, issues, and dependencies early, and implement mitigation or recovery plans as needed. Track program performance using key metrics and provide clear, timely updates to stakeholders and senior leadership. Manage customer communications and act as a key interface for program-related discussions, priorities, and commitments. Oversee program financial performance, including budgets, forecasts, cost tracking, and variance management. Partner with internal and external stakeholders to maintain alignment on objectives, schedules, and deliverables. Support problem solving and decision-making to remove barriers and keep programs on track. Drive continuous improvement in program management practices, tools, and operating rhythms. Mentor and support less experienced program management team members, helping to build capability across the function. Ensure all program activities are delivered in line with business, regulatory, quality, and customer requirements.

Bachelor’s degree in   Engineering, Business, Project Management, or a related field from an accredited institution and/or relevant experience Significant experience in   program management   within a complex manufacturing, industrial, or aerospace environment. Demonstrated success leading large, cross-functional programs with meaningful business impact, scope, and budget responsibility. Strong understanding of structured program management disciplines, tools, and execution frameworks. Experience managing program schedules, budgets, forecasts, risks, and stakeholder communications. Proven ability to lead across functions, including engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and finance. Strong communication and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively across multiple levels of the organization and with customers. Strong analytical capability, with a disciplined and data-driven approach to problem solving and decision-making. Experience in customer-facing program leadership and commercial discussions. Willingness to travel as required, including domestic and international travel.

PMP certification or equivalent project/program management credential. Prior experience in the aerospace industry. Experience working in matrixed organizations with global or multi-site teams. Familiarity with both traditional and agile ways of working, where applicable. Demonstrated experience driving process improvement and operational excellence initiatives. Experience coaching or mentoring junior team members. Desired Characteristics Strong ownership mindset with the ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity. Skilled at balancing strategic priorities with detailed