Program Manager

Job SummaryAptive Resources is seeling  Program Manager that serves as the executive leader responsible for the overall management, oversight, and successful execution of the VHA Survey of Veteran Enrollees' Health and Use of Health Care. This national, multi-mode, multi-year survey supports VHA's actuarial forecasting, resource allocation, and strategic planning functions. The PM ensures full contractual compliance, risk mitigation, quality assurance, and timely delivery of all PWS tasks and deliverables across the annual survey cycle.The PM acts as the primary point of contact (POC) with the VA Contracting Officer's Representative (COR), Contracting Officer (CO), CSO/HAIG leadership, and all Government stakeholders. The PM integrates program management capabilities with survey operations to deliver methodologically rigorous and operationally seamless outcomes.Primary ResponsibilitiesProgram Leadership & GovernanceLead all contract activities in accordance with PWS requirements, QASP metrics, VA policies, and IHT governance standards.Provide strategic leadership across survey design, pre-survey preparation, field operations, data processing, and reporting.Deliver the Project Management Plan (PMP), Quality Control Plan (QCP), Staffing Plan, and risk management framework.Ensure all deliverables meet accuracy, timeliness, and quality benchmarks.Primary Point of ContactServe as the main liaison to the COR, CO, program office staff (CSO/HAIG), and VHA senior leadership.Facilitate effective communication between print vendors, survey operations, and VA stakeholders.Contract and Task OversightOversee all PWS Tasks Ensure alignment of interdependent workstreams Maintain full control of project schedule, dependencies, and risk.Team Management & StaffingDirect a multidisciplinary team of statisticians, methodologists, analysts, survey operations staff, help desk agents, and QC specialists.Ensure two-deep coverage for all critical roles.Conduct regular team briefings, task reviews, and performance assessments.Oversee onboarding, training, and retention of key staff.Risk ManagementMaintain a contract-wide risk register and implement mitigation strategies.Identify potential delays (sampling frame, OMB approval, mailing, response rates) and initiate corrective action.Escalate critical risks to VA leadership with mitigation recommendations.Quality AssuranceEnforce rigorous quality review processes across all deliverables, including sample design documentation, SAS files, methodology reports, instruments, letters, and 508-compliant PDFs.Coordinate statistical QC reviews Financial & Performance ManagementMonitor contract performance, budget utilization, and staffing efficiency.Provide accurate forecasting and resource planning across each survey cycle.Deliver monthly status reports and executive summaries to VA.Meeting & Reporting RequirementsLead the Kick-Off Meeting, bi-weekly review meetings, monthly planning meetings, and ad hoc senior leadership briefings.Provide meeting minutes, action items, and status updates within required timeframes.Minimum QualificationsMaster's degree in healthcare management, public health, statistics, business administration, or related field.10+ years of experience managing complex healthcare or public-sector programs.Prior experience in large integrated healthcare systems (e.g., VHA, DoD, CMS).PMP certification (or equivalent).Demonstrated experience leading multi-mode survey projects, program evaluations, or large-scale national studies.Experience managing subcontractors and cross-functional teams.Experience with federal compliance requirements, including Section 508, privacy, security, and PRA/OMB processes.Desired QualificationsExperience supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs and familiarity with VHA operations, CSO, HAIG, VEO, or IHT.Experience leading national surveys with >25,000 respondents and multiple modes (CAWI, CATI, PAPI).Familiarity with statistical methods, sampling, weighting, and survey methodology.Excellent communication skills with proven ability to brief senior Government leaders.Strong command of project scheduling tools, Agile workflows, and risk mitigation frameworks.About AptiveAptive partners with federal agencies to achieve their missions through improved performance, streamlined operations and enhanced service delivery. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, we support more than a dozen agencies including Veterans Affairs, Transportation, Defense, Homeland Security and the National Science Foundation. ​We specialize in applying technology, creativity and human-centered services to optimize mission delivery and improve experiences for millions of people who count on government services every day. ​Founded: 2012Employees: 300+ nationwideEEO StatementAptive is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran status, age, disability, or any other protected class.Veterans, members of the Reserve and National Guard, and transitioning active-duty service members are highly encouraged to apply.