Program Manager

Aquia

Program Manager responsible for contract performance and delivery overseeing federal engagement at Aquia. Leading client relationships and managing program risks and growth opportunities.

Posted 6/11/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorLead💰 $160,000 - $195,000 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

CloudCyber SecurityPMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the accountable lead for all contract deliverables, milestones, and performance outcomes
Maintain a strategic contract roadmap aligned to the client's mission priorities and evolving needs
Own the program risk register, integrating inputs from project and product leads; ensure risks are identified, tracked, and actively mitigated
Oversee program budget and burn rate; proactively flag variances and model corrective actions
Monitor contract health against PWS/SOW requirements; escalate issues before they become findings
Act as Aquia's primary point of contact with the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) and key government stakeholders
Build and maintain strategic relationships across the client organization, including leadership levels above the day-to-day POC
Negotiate scope, timelines, and contract adjustments with the customer as program conditions evolve
Lead CPARS preparation and manage the formal performance evaluation process
Represent Aquia with credibility during audits, reviews, and executive touchpoints
Produce and own monthly Program Status Reports (internal and external), ensuring accuracy, consistency, and strategic framing
Fulfill all program-level reporting requirements as defined in the contract PWS/SOW
Serve as incident response communications lead, coordinating Aquia's response posture and stakeholder notifications
Act as the final internal and client-facing escalation point for program issues
Define roles and responsibilities across the program team, including subcontractors
Manage subcontractor relationships: performance, deliverables, and compliance with contract terms
Own onboarding and offboarding for all program personnelAddress issues in partnership with Project Managers; create conditions for team performance and retention
Partner with Aquia recruiting and hiring managers on backfill and growth hiring for your program
Identify and pursue organic growth opportunities within your portfolio; document and communicate white space to Aquia business development leadership
Contribute to proposal efforts and past performance write-ups tied to your program
Represent Aquia's capabilities in client conversations in a way that positions the firm for expanded work.

Requirements

What you’ll need

You must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident, currently residing in the US, and able to obtain Public Trust clearance.
8+ years of program or project management experience in federal IT contracting PMP, PgMP, CSM, or equivalent program management certification
Direct experience supporting CMS programs strongly preferred; federal experience broadly considered
Demonstrated experience owning contract performance on a federal program- including COR relationships, deliverables, and CPARS
Experience managing teams of 20+ people, including subcontractors or matrixed staff
Proven track record managing program budgets and burn rate in a T&M or fixed-price federal contract environment
Experience negotiating scope changes and contract modifications with government clients.
Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS and contract vehicle structures (IDIQ, BPA, T&M, FFP)
Familiarity with federal IT compliance frameworks: FISMA, NIST 800-53, and FedRAMP concepts
Exposure to digital modernization, cloud modernization, or cybersecurity programs preferred
Understanding of federal program reporting requirements (status reports, CDRLs, deliverable tracking)
Exceptional written and verbal communication; able to translate technical delivery status into executive-level narratives
Strong judgment in ambiguous situations; knows when to escalate, when to decide, and when to involve others
Organized and detail-oriented without losing sight of the strategic picture
Comfortable managing conflict- with clients, subcontractors, and internal team members- professionally and effectively.
Collaborative partner to Aquia project managers, technical leads, and internal operations.

Benefits

Comp & perks

Premium health care plans (90% employer-paid)
Employee stock plan
100% 401k match (up to IRS annual max)
Generous PTO package
Personal training and development budget

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

program managementproject managementcontract performancebudget managementscope negotiationcontract modificationsfederal IT contractingcontract vehicle structuresfederal program reportingdigital modernization

Soft Skills

communicationjudgmentorganizationdetail-orientedconflict managementcollaborationrelationship buildingstrategic thinkingleadershipproblem-solving

Certifications

PMPPgMPCSMPublic Trust clearance