Senior Program Manager (Problem Sourcing)

Overview

SUMMARY

The Innovation with Academia (IWA) Student Prototyping Senior Problem Sourcing Program Manager serves as a program leader within the Defense Innovation Unit's Innovation with Academia program. IWA connects Department of War (DoW) mission problems with university talent, research, and expertise to develop pathways from problem discovery through prototyping, commercialization, transition, and ultimately capability the Department can use.

The IWA Student Prototyping program utilizes experiential learning to inspire students to experience work in the National Security Industrial Base by matching highly talented undergraduate and graduate students to deliver rapid, early-stage prototypes, whether technical or policy centered, that help solve the mission partner’s problem.

The Senior Program Manager is responsible for leading the planning, execution, performance, and continuous improvement of IWA’s student prototyping programs and initiatives. This role translates strategic direction into executable program plans, coordinates across government, academic, industry, and contractor stakeholders, and ensures program activities remain aligned to mission needs, milestones, and intended outcomes.

The Senior Program Manager serves as the primary leader, subject matter expert, and ambassador for the program. This position is responsible for the planning, execution, performance management, and continuous improvement of program activities. The Senior Program Manager oversees all phases of the program lifecycle, ensuring successful delivery of objectives, alignment with client requirements, and achievement of organizational goals.

The ideal individual will have the ability to exercise good judgment in a diversity of situations, with excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities and equities in a high-tempo environment serving DIU’s mission.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and results-driven professional with strong program management, stakeholder engagement, and operational leadership skills. This role requires the ability to manage complex initiatives, coordinate cross-functional teams, oversee budgets and resources, and effectively communicate with government, academic, and internal stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Management and Execution

• Lead the planning, execution, monitoring, and continuous improvement of assigned IWA student prototyping program(s) and initiatives.
• Translate government direction and program objectives into executable plans, milestones, deliverables, and operating rhythms.
• Ensure successful delivery of program requirements, milestones, deliverables, and outcomes.
• Communicate program status, achievements, risks, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.
• Establish, track, and report key performance indicators (KPIs) and program metrics to measure effectiveness and impact.
• Identify and implement process improvements that enhance operational efficiency, participant experience, and program outcomes.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of program funding while maintaining compliance with contractual, organizational, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate across IWA programs and cross-cutting functions to ensure effective intake and handoffs and integrated execution.
• Prepare executive-level briefings, recommendations, decision materials, and program reporting for government leadership.
• Develop and maintain program documentation, operating procedures, and performance records.
• Occasional travel to support program activities and stakeholder engagements may be required.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all student prototyping program activities.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with a broad range of stakeholders including members of the senior management team, government contractors, Federal civilian and military personnel, university researchers, entrepreneurship faculty, prototyping faculty, and student teams.
• Foster collaboration among diverse partners to advance program objectives.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level briefings, reports, presentations, and program documentation.
• Communicate program status, achievements, risks, and recommendations to leadership and stakeholders.

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Perform other duties as assigned in support of organizational objectives.
• Support special projects and strategic initiatives as needed.

Key Skills and Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in program management, program operations, strategic initiatives, or related roles in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Masters degree in Business Administration, Program Management, Public Administration, or Engineering
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Demonstrated ability to lead programs from planning through execution, including managing priorities, milestones, deliverables, risks, dependencies, and outcomes.
• Strong ability to translate strategic direction into executable plans, bring structure to ambiguity, and adapt programs as priorities and needs evolve.
• Experience working with or within higher education institutions is highly valued, ...