Program Manager

Sayres is seeking candidates for a Program Manager supporting Headquarters Air Force (HAF). This position is located in the NCR.

Position Summary

The Program Manager (PM) is responsible for planning, directing, and managing complex projects and programs of comparable size, scope, and technical rigor to those executed in support of Department of the Air Force (DAF) and Department of Defense (DoD) missions. The PM serves as the single point of accountability for program execution, ensuring all contractual, technical, financial, and personnel requirements are met with precision, transparency, and timeliness. This role requires extensive experience engaging with senior DAF/DoD leadership, maintaining clear communication channels, and ensuring alignment between government objectives, contractor activities, and mission outcomes.

The PM will oversee all aspects of program performance, including project planning, risk management, resource allocation, subcontractor oversight, and delivery of high‑quality products and services. The PM ensures disciplined program management practices, fosters a culture of accountability, and provides continuous, verifiable insight into cost, schedule, and performance.

Roles/Responsibilities:

• Lead the planning, execution, and management of complex programs supporting DAF/DoD missions.


• Serve as the primary interface with government leadership, stakeholders, and technical teams.


• Develop, maintain, and execute a comprehensive Project Management Plan (PMP).


• Oversee cost, schedule, and performance baselines; provide proactive risk identification and mitigation.


• Ensure compliance with all contractual requirements, deliverables, and reporting obligations.


• Manage a geographically dispersed workforce, including recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and professional development.


• Coordinate with subcontractors and partner organizations to ensure seamless integration of support activities.


• Provide timely, accurate program status updates, including financial reporting, staffing updates, and performance metrics.


• Maintain strong working relationships with DAF/DoD leadership to ensure alignment with evolving mission needs.


• Drive continuous improvement, operational efficiency, and high‑quality service delivery across all program elements.

Required Skills and Education:

• Demonstrated experience planning, directing, and managing complex projects of similar size and scope.


• Proven experience working with and supporting DAF and/or DoD leadership at senior levels.


• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred.


• Minimum of 10 years of program or project management experience in defense, national security, or government contracting environments.


• Strong understanding of federal acquisition processes, contract management, and performance oversight.


• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams, including geographically dispersed personnel.


• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and leadership skills


• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, schedules, and performance metrics in dynamic operational environments.


• Active Secret clearance required.


• PMP or equivalent program management certification strongly preferred.

Security Clearance:

• Secret 

The position description is only meant to be a representative summary of the major responsibilities and accountabilities performed by the incumbents of this position. The incumbents may be requested to perform position-related tasks other than those stated in this description. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, disability or veteran status.

At Sayres, our employees enjoy an atmosphere conducive to realizing their potential through personal and professional development while simultaneously exceeding customers' expectations. We offer a broad spectrum of technical, engineering and administrative services including acquisition, financial and program management; fleet synthetic training; logistics; ship construction engineering; systems engineering and integration; wargaming; test and evaluation; security, counterintelligence and policy analysis and have been providing excellence in service to the Federal Government since 2001. Sayres is headquartered in Washington, DC with offices throughout the United States and has a presence abroad.

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