Mission
The Parallax Advanced Research Mission is to deliver innovative research and provide technology, human, and business solutions via The Science of Intelligent Teaming™ for government, industry, and academic clients with critical challenges.
Position Summary
The Program Manager (PM) oversees a portfolio, program, or major workstream within the Strategic & Technology-Based Partnerships division. You’ll set direction, orchestrate cross-functional teams and partner contributions, ensure contractual/operational compliance, and represent the program to leadership and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate blends relationship-building with structured execution and can translate strategy into measurable outcomes.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:
Collaborate Everywhere — Stakeholder & Ecosystem Engagement (≈50%)
- Build and grow partnerships across DoD, industry (traditional and non-traditional), academia, investors, and ecosystem orgs.
- Scope challenges with mission stakeholders; shape problem statements and engagement models.
- Represent the program at briefings, events, and leadership forums to expand participation and impact.
Drive Impact — Program Execution & Planning (≈30%)
- Own integrated plans, KPIs, and reporting; guide project managers and contributors to deliver outcomes.
- Identify/implement process improvements that elevate program effectiveness and scale.
- Develop executive-ready reports and presentations; communicate progress, risks, and decisions.
Act with Integrity — Operational Leadership (≈20%)
- Lead program operating rhythms (governance, reviews, decision logs); manage reporting and invoice approvals.
- Ensure contractual, financial, and data-management compliance; align to division objectives and standards.
- Proactively manage risks, issues, and dependencies; drive resolution and escalation paths.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
- BA/BS (Master’s a plus) and 5+ years of progressive experience in program/project management within defense, government, tech, or innovation (or 3+ years with demonstrated leadership across multi-stakeholder efforts).
- Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and external partners toward measurable outcomes.
- Proficiency with program dashboards, KPI frameworks, and portfolio tools (e.g., Smartsheet/Project); strong communication and executive presence.
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced, evolving environment; comfortable balancing strategy and execution.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
- Proven experience managing complex, multi-partner programs with government interfaces and academic/industry collaboration.
- Contract/compliance fluency (FAR and Non-FAR) and experience with budget oversight, forecasting, and cost control.
- PgMP or PMP; Agile/Lean portfolio management familiarity is a plus.
- Exposure to DoD innovation pathways and entities (DIU, AFWERX, NSIN) and to SBIR/STTR processes.
- Understanding of TRLs, dual-use commercialization, venture/startup ecosystems, and tech transition.
- Track record leading teams, motivating contributors, resolving conflicts, and managing risk.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance.
Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.
Describe physical requirements of the job, noise levels, temperature, exposure to other factors that may impact certain job fields, relevant ADA impacts, etc.
Parallax Advanced Research is an Equal Opportunity Employer, drug free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.
