📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Program Manager, Tactical Communications
🔹 Company: General Dynamics Mission Systems International
🔹 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Defense and Space Manufacturing
🔹 Date Posted: April 28, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with some flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading multi-functional teams in proposal and execution phases of international programs
- Ensuring compliance with technical and programmatic requirements within program budgets
- Managing cost, schedule, risk, and profit performance of assigned portfolios
- Building strong customer relationships and growing assigned portfolios
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a balance of technical expertise, leadership skills, and customer focus to successfully manage complex international programs.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Plan, monitor, and control program work, maintaining overall accountability for cost, schedule, risk, and profit performance
✅ Ensure compliance with technical and programmatic requirements within program budgets
✅ Ensure services and products are completed on time and on budget to customer requirements
✅ Lead program reviews, both internally and with the customer, reporting status of activities on a timely basis
✅ Act as a point of escalation and resolution for program issues and roadblocks
✅ Analyze risk and initiate corrective action
✅ Lead strategic initiatives to support portfolio growth and longer-term business continuity
✅ Manage preparation for requests for information (RFI), requests for proposals (RFP), and requests for quotations (RFQ)
✅ Ensure high-level customer intimacy and satisfaction
✅ Manage program resources through liaison with engineering, other program managers, and departments
✅ Provide leadership and mentorship to program teams
✅ Initiate product, service, and process improvements
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of cross-functional collaboration and requires strong communication and leadership skills to manage diverse teams and stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in a related discipline required, PMP considered highly desirable
Experience: 5+ years of experience in industry serving as Program Manager on complex projects
Required Skills:
- Comprehensive knowledge of project management tools and methodologies
- Desire and capability to interact effectively with customers to influence, negotiate, assure a level of intimacy and satisfaction, and grow the assigned portfolio
- Leadership skills including interpersonal skills and collaboration
- Strong writing skills and experience writing program management plans
- Experience in planning techniques and fiscal management
- Capability to provide effective briefings to Senior Management both internally as well as externally within our customer base
- Creative problem solving to contribute to continuous growth and improvement
Preferred Skills:
- Experience in managing programs according to cost, schedule, and quality commitments
ASSUMPTION: While a PMP certification is not required, it is highly recommended for this role due to the complexity of the programs managed.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD 120,000 - CAD 160,000 per year (based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels)
Benefits:
- Flexible Work Environment (On-site and Hybrid positions available)
- Professional Development opportunities
- Total Rewards package including health, dental, and pension plan
Working Hours: Full-time, typically 40 hours per week with some flexibility for hybrid roles
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for similar roles and experience levels. Actual compensation may vary based on individual qualifications and company discretion.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Defense and Space Manufacturing, with a focus on C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) solutions
Company Size: 10,001+ employees, providing a large and diverse range of career opportunities
Founded: 1952, with a rich history of developing mission-critical solutions for defense, intelligence, and commercial customers
Company Description:
- At General Dynamics Mission Systems, we develop mission critical C4ISR solutions across the land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains
- Our products and services help protect and save lives, enabling our customers to accomplish their missions
- We foster a culture of belonging, encouraging idea sharing, and reinforcing the impact of our work
Company Specialties:
- Communications / RF Networking
- C4ISR
- Cyber Security and Network Defense
- Maritime & Underwater Systems
- Platform Integration
- Training
- Modeling and Simulation
- Intel
- Intelligence
- Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR)
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV)
- Platform Integration
- Space Electronics
- Space Payloads
- Strategic Weapon Systems
- Avionic Systems
- GD Mission Systems
- GDMissionSystems
- and Satellite Communications
Company Website: gdmissionsystems.com
ASSUMPTION: General Dynamics Mission Systems offers a wide range of opportunities for career growth and development within its diverse portfolio of products and services.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level to senior, with opportunities for growth and advancement
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the Program Management Team Lead, with matrixed reporting to functional leads as needed
Work Arrangement: Hybrid, with a combination of on-site and remote work
Growth Opportunities:
- Advancement to senior program management roles
- Expansion into other business units or product lines within General Dynamics
- Development of specialized expertise in specific domains or technologies
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for career growth and development within a large and diverse organization.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Modern, collaborative office space with state-of-the-art technology and amenities
Office Location(s): 1941 Robertson Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Geographic Context:
- Ottawa is the capital of Canada, offering a high quality of life with a mix of urban and natural environments
- The city is home to a diverse and multicultural population, with a strong tech industry and vibrant cultural scene
- Ottawa has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters
Work Schedule: Typically Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with some flexibility for hybrid roles
ASSUMPTION: The Ottawa office provides a modern and collaborative work environment, with easy access to amenities and a high quality of life.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with a member of the HR team
- In-depth interviews with the hiring manager and other stakeholders
- Final round interviews with senior leadership
- Background check and reference verification
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical expertise in program management
- Leadership and team management skills
- Customer focus and relationship-building abilities
- Problem-solving and decision-making skills
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role
- Demonstrate your understanding of the company and its products/services in your application materials
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your experience with program management, customer interactions, and problem-solving
ATS Keywords: Program Management, Tactical Communications, International Programs, Cost Management, Schedule Management, Risk Analysis, Customer Relations, Leadership, Mentorship, Problem Solving, Project Management Tools, Interpersonal Skills, Collaboration, Writing Skills, Planning Techniques, Fiscal Management, Briefing Skills
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is competitive, and applicants should tailor their materials and prepare thoroughly for interviews to increase their chances of success.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, JIRA, Smartsheet)
- Customer relationship management software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Enterprise resource planning software (e.g., SAP, Oracle)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies used in this role may vary depending on the programs and customers being supported.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Integrity: Upholding the highest ethical standards in all actions and decisions
- Customer Focus: Understanding and meeting the needs of our customers
- Innovation: Encouraging creativity and continuous improvement
- Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with colleagues and customers to achieve common goals
- Accountability: Taking responsibility for our actions and delivering on our commitments
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Results-driven and focused on delivering high-quality products and services
- Adaptable and able to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do I have a proven track record of successful program management in a complex and dynamic environment?
- Am I able to build and maintain strong relationships with customers, understanding their needs and exceeding their expectations?
- Do I have strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor and develop others?
- Am I comfortable working in a matrixed organization, with multiple stakeholders and priorities?
ASSUMPTION: General Dynamics Mission Systems values employees who are collaborative, results-driven, and adaptable, with a strong commitment to customer focus and innovation.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing complex international programs with diverse stakeholders and tight deadlines
- Navigating a large and matrixed organization, with multiple reporting lines and priorities
- Balancing technical expertise with strong leadership and customer focus
- Adapting to changes in program scope, requirements, and priorities
ASSUMPTION: This role presents significant challenges, but also offers substantial opportunities for growth and development in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Compared to other program management roles, this position focuses more on international programs and tactical communications, requiring additional expertise in these areas
- Within the defense and space manufacturing industry, this role is similar to other program management positions, but may have more specific technical requirements depending on the programs being supported
- Career paths for this role may include advancement to senior program management positions, expansion into other business units or product lines, or development of specialized expertise in specific domains or technologies
ASSUMPTION: While this role shares similarities with other program management positions, it also has unique aspects that require specific expertise and experience.
📝 Sample Projects
- Managing the proposal and execution phases of an international tactical communications program, ensuring compliance with technical and programmatic requirements within budget and on schedule
- Leading a cross-functional team to develop and implement a risk management plan for a complex program, mitigating potential issues and ensuring program success
- Collaborating with customers and stakeholders to define program scope, requirements, and objectives, and ensuring alignment with business goals and customer expectations
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the complexity and diversity of the programs managed in this role, requiring strong leadership, technical expertise, and customer focus.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the typical programs managed in this role, and the specific technical expertise required?
- How does this role fit into the overall organization, and what are the key priorities and objectives for the first 90 days?
- What are the most significant challenges facing the programs and customers in this role, and how can I contribute to their successful resolution?
- How does the company support the professional development and growth of its employees, particularly in this role?
- What is the company's approach to work-life balance, and how does this role accommodate flexible work arrangements?
ASSUMPTION: Asking insightful questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in and understanding of the role, and helps you make an informed decision about your fit with the organization.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant experience and skills for this role, demonstrating your understanding of the company and its products/services
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that focus on your experience with program management, customer interactions, and problem-solving
- If selected for an interview, be prepared to discuss your approach to program management, customer focus, and leadership in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
- Follow up with the HR team one week after submitting your application to inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
