Program Manager - U.S. Citizenship Required

Why do you need to choose between doing important work and having a fulfilling life? At Ardent, we have both. Ardent employees are committed to solving our customers’ most difficult problems—and we are committed to the well-being, personal goals, and professional development of our employee. We are “All In.” We put forth our strongest effort possible to get the mission accomplished and we do it together. We respect the skills and experience you bring to the Ardent team. And we provide a rewarding environment to help you succeed. 

We offer highly competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and an exceptional culture that embraces flexibility, innovation, collaboration, and career growth. A collective service mindset underpins our work, and a shared camaraderie to serve clients, colleagues and our communities set us apart. Our full commitment to being "All In" for our employees and our clients is not just our approach, it is our standard. If this sounds like the perfect fit for you, choose Ardent and make a difference with us. 

Ardent is seeking a Program Manager to join our team. A program manager oversees and coordinates the execution of contracts between government agencies and external vendors. Responsibilities typically include contract negotiation, budget management, scheduling, and ensuring that projects are completed according to specifications and within regulatory requirements.

This is a hybrid/remote role located in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Position Description:

Ardent is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Program Manager to lead a program of national security significance for the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The selected candidate will lead a large team of contractors and subcontractors in a dynamic, agile environment. This critical role involves overseeing a diverse team of professionals engaged in application development, operations, and maintenance across multiple locations. The PM is responsible for executing a multi-million-dollar program focused on delivering exceptional Information Technology (IT) services for DHS. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership qualities, extensive experience in program management, and a proven track record of managing large teams and program operations for complex Federal IT programs.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Program Leadership: Direct and oversee the entire program, ensuring seamless collaboration and integration across diverse teams. Lead the program’s strategic planning, execution, and delivery within scope, budget, and timeline.

Team Management: Manage and mentor a large group of technical contractors and subcontractors, promoting a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and agile practices. Ensure team alignment with program goals and client expectations. Responsibility includes oversight of all critical functions to effectively transition the program during the initial execution period.

Financial Oversight: Develop and manage the program budget. Monitor and report on financial performance, ensuring efficient use of resources and cost-effective execution of program objectives.

Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders, including federal clients, contractor teams, and internal leadership. Act as the primary point of contact for the client, ensuring all deliverables meet quality standards and contractual requirements.

Risk Management: Identify potential risks and develop mitigation strategies to prevent program disruptions. Ensure compliance with federal regulations and company policies.

Agile Implementation: Champion agile methodologies within the program, facilitating sprint planning, reviews, retrospectives, and daily stand-ups. Ensure the agile practices are adapted to suit the program’s needs and client requirements.

Performance Measurement: Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure program success and areas for improvement. Regularly report on these metrics to senior management and stakeholders.

Innovation and Improvement: Encourage innovation and recommend process improvements to enhance program efficiency and effectiveness. Stay updated with the latest industry trends and federal regulations to ensure the program remains competitive and compliant.

Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Business Administration, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in program management, preferably in federal IT services.
• Program Management Professional (PMP) Certification.
• Experience working in the Federal Government Contracting industry.
• Experience managing a team of 50+ professionals, including subcontractors.
• Demonstrated experience managing large teams and multi-million-dollar budgets in an agile environment.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to drive team performance and foster a collaborative team environment.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, capable of working effectively with all levels of stakeholders.
• Proficient in agile methodologies and tools.
• Deep understanding of federal contracting regulations and compliance requirements.

Desired Qualifications:

• Masters Degree in Business or a relevant technical field; 
• Demonstrated experience supporting the DHS and the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP);
• Demonstrated experience with federal DHS cargo systems and processes, including the DHS Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) and related tools and processes for US Ports of Entry;
• Customs and Border Protection background investigation clearance (highly preferred)

Due to the nature of the work we support, all candidates in consideration for this role must be U.S. Citizens willing to undergo the government issued background investigation process.

Ardent is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.