Program Manager Helicopters

Job Description

Contract: Open Ended
This position is a temporary (contract) position with no specific time period but could be extended or shortened as needed. Contractors are employed by a 3rd party vendor and placed on assignment to xxx . Expected start date for this role will be the first or second week of January, 2026.

Our client is looking for a Project Manager- (Contract) to join our Civil Programs Team based in Columbus, MS .

In this role, you will be responsible for acquisition, completion, maintenance, repair and delivery of aircraft to XXX Helicopters North American and global customers. You will assist in creating and sustaining a reliable customer buying experience in order to drive customer loyalty. In addition, you will coordinate all involved departments; establish, monitor and revise schedules and budgets; track and manage changes; support the writing of contracts and manage their execution and assess and manage risks.

Stakeholder Management: 35%

• Work with various stakeholders to bring projects to completion on schedule, on budget and on quality. In doing so, the Project Manager will ensure that all project team members:
• Understand the scope of their commitment
• Feel committed to their budget and schedule inputs
• Pull on the same string to accomplish project goals
• Feel engaged and dedicated
• Voice concerns
• Are informed of project status and next steps ahead
• Understand schedule (SPI) and budget (CPI) situation

** Customer Management: 20%**

• Guide customers through the aircraft acquisition and completion process
• Focus on customer experience and manage-to-contract
• Make the customer feel welcomed. Listen to the customer. Understand the customer. Educate the customer. Inform the customer. Make the customer want to come back to Airbus.
• Manage difficult situations with finesse.
• Ensure customer satisfaction.

** Schedule: 15%**

• Develop project schedules in MS Project complete with predecessors, successors, planned and actual start- and finish dates, critical path analysis
• Track project schedules on a weekly basis and update with actual start/finish dates
• Make schedule adjustments based on changing project requirements
• Keep project team, customer and leadership informed on changing project milestones
• Track Schedule Performance Indicator (SPI)

** Budget: 15%**

• Develop project budgets with inputs from functional departments in MS Excel and MS Access Database
• Verify inputs from functional departments using actuals from previous similar projects
• Check overall validity of budget inputs
• Adjust budget based on change orders (see contract management)
• Track Cost Performance Indicator (CPI)

** Contract Management: 15%**

• Early involvement in the offer/proposal/sales phase
• Support sales and offers teams with technical advice, e.g. configuration, compatibility etc.
• Full ownership of contract from early in the process all the way through completion
• Real-time and accurate tracking of contractual changes, i.e. change order management reflected in schedule and budget adjustments
• Interpretation of contractual requirements, and, as needed, feedback solicitation with internal counsel

Qualifications:
Qualifications

• Possess a Bachelor's degree in an Engineering or Program Management discipline, or equivalent work experience (4 years).
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in aerospace project management including aircraft completions, maintenance and repair, or equivalent.
• Knowledgeable in FAA regulations.
• Financial experience for budgeting purposes.
• Technical experience to comprehend technical data packages.
• An understanding of the aerospace industry, basic aircraft design, mission equipment packages (law enforcement, emergency medical services, utility etc.), and design and certification (FAA) processes.
• Ability to break complex issues down into manageable work packages.
• Strong Microsoft Office Skills (Word, Excel, Project, etc)
• 10-20% Domestic and International travel expectation
• Must be a US Person under ITAR definition (U.S. Citizen, green card holder or person covered under our existing ITAR license)

Additional Information

Here’s a heads-up of the upcoming steps:

1. Phone Interview with Recruiter: We’ll begin with an introductory call to discuss your background and interest in the role. Please make sure to add your correct phone number. You will hear from us soon.
2. Interview with the Hiring Manager
3. Offer Letter : We´ll extend you an offer and start the onboarding process.
4. **Background Check & DOT Drug Screen: **This step involves conducting a comprehensive background check, which includes reviewing criminal history, and other relevant records. Additionally, a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug screening will be carried out to ensure compliance with federal regulations for safety-sensitive positions
5. You start your next challenge