Communications Program Manager Jobs in Rochester, NY

Title:

Program Manager

Department:

 Program Management

Reports To:

VP of Programs

SEE YOUR CAREER THROUGH A NEW LENS WITH RPO!

RPO is a global leader in precision optics, optical components, and optical assemblies. We specialize in a full spectrum of products & services including – Design and Engineering, Systems Integration, Lens Assembly, Visible and Infrared Components, Glass and Plastic Molded Aspheres, and Thin Film Coating. As one of the fastest growing companies in Rochester, RPO offers exciting career paths and work on market-leading programs. See below one of many career opportunities to join the RPO team!

Position Overview:

The Program Manager is responsible for leading complex customer programs from contract award through final delivery, ensuring technical, operational, financial, and customer requirements are successfully achieved. Serving as the primary point of coordination between customers and internal teams, our program managers drive program execution across engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, and operations. This is a highly visible role that requires a proactive, results-oriented approach to program execution. The successful candidate will leverage strong technical and business acumen to align cross-functional teams, manage risk, drive accountability, and resolve challenges before they impact performance. This individual will serve as a key driver of program success, ensuring customer commitments, business objectives, and operational goals are achieved through effective leadership and collaboration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead complex customer programs from contract award through production and final delivery, ensuring commitments related to scope, schedule, cost, quality, and technical performance are achieved.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, maintaining strong relationships and providing clear communication regarding program status, milestones, risks, and deliverables.
• Partner closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Contracts, and Business Development teams to drive successful program execution.
• Translate customer requirements into actionable plans, ensuring all stakeholders understand priorities, deliverables, and expectations.
• Develop and maintain integrated program schedules, resource plans, budgets, and performance metrics to support successful execution.
• Lead cross-functional program reviews, ensuring critical actions, risks, and decisions are identified, communicated, and resolved in a timely manner.
• Proactively identify program risks, resource constraints, and execution challenges, developing mitigation plans before they impact customer commitments.
• Drive accountability across functional teams by removing obstacles, facilitating decision-making, and maintaining focus on program objectives.
• Monitor program performance against established milestones, budgets, and key performance indicators, implementing corrective actions when necessary.
• Manage program scope changes, customer requests, and contract modifications while ensuring impacts to cost, schedule, and resources are properly evaluated and communicated.
• Support proposal development, quoting activities, and program planning efforts by providing schedule, resource, cost, and risk assessments.
• Collaborate with operations and engineering teams to support product development, qualification, transition to production, and ongoing operational success.
• Prepare and present program updates, forecasts, and performance metrics to customers, leadership teams, and executive stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts that enhance program execution, customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and overall business performance.
• Maintain accurate program documentation, financial tracking, revenue forecasts, and reporting throughout the program lifecycle.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Business Administration, Operations Management, Program Management, or a related discipline. An engineering degree is strongly preferred for candidates supporting complex technical programs.
• Minimum 7 years of experience leading customer-facing programs, projects, product development initiatives, or manufacturing operations within a technical, engineering, or manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with Program Management requirements and standards within a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) contracting environment, government programs, or highly regulated manufacturing industries is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated success managing complex programs involving cross-functional teams, multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and aggressive schedules.
• Strong ability to understand technical requirements, engineering concepts, manufacturing processes, and customer specifications, and translate them into actionable execution plans.
• Experience managing program schedules, budgets, resources, risks, and deliverables throughout the full program lifecycle.
• Proven ability to lead through influence, build alignment across functional teams, and drive accountability without direct authority.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance customer expectations, operational realities, financial performance, and organizational priorities.
• Experience working within an ERP-driven manufacturing environment; Epicor experience is preferred.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and Microsoft Project or similar project management tools.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship management skills, with the ability to effectively engage customers, executive leadership, and technical teams.
• Highly organized and self-directed, with the ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail and execution.
• Program Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred but not required.

Core Competencies:

• Results-Oriented: Motivated, hard-working and ready to level-up.
• Curious: You never stop learning and have an insatiable desire to gain new skills and knowledge.
• Process Oriented: Well organized, demonstrating attention to detail.
• Analytical: Possess a “If there’s a problem, I’ll find a solution” attitude.
• Accountable: Demanding the highest quality from yourself and team members.
• Detail-Oriented: Have excellent time management and organizational skills.
• A Team Player: Reliable, collaborative, flexible with a positive ‘get things done’ attitude.

Additional Requirements: 

Pursuant to ITAR, EAR, and other export compliance laws and regulations, applicants for this position must be U.S. Persons as defined by U.S. law, i.e., U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents ("Green Card" holders), persons granted refugee status or asylum status in the United States, or temporary residents granted amnesty.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive compensation package linked to your experience and performance.
• 401(k) with company match and Tuition Reimbursement opportunities.
• Health, dental, vision, HSA, & life insurance.
• Paid time off including vacation, sick time, and 11 paid company holidays 

Environment & Physical Demands:

• This position operates in a combination of office, engineering, laboratory, and manufacturing environments supporting the development and production of precision optical products and assemblies.
• Requires regular interaction with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Supply Chain, Business Development, Contracts, executive leadership, customers, and suppliers to support successful program execution.
• Frequent presence on the production floor is required to monitor program progress, facilitate problem-solving activities, coordinate cross-functional efforts, and maintain alignment between customer requirements and operational execution.
• Requires the ability to manage multiple priorities, changing customer requirements, competing deadlines, and complex technical programs within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods while working at a computer, participating in meetings, reviewing technical documentation, analyzing program data, and preparing reports or presentations.
• Ability to regularly move throughout office, laboratory, warehouse, and manufacturing environments to support program activities and collaborate with stakeholders.
• Requires visual acuity sufficient to review engineering drawings, contracts, schedules, financial data, technical documentation, and program performance metrics.
• Ability to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, leadership teams, and employees at all levels of the organization in both office and manufacturing settings.
• Manufacturing areas may include exposure to moving equipment, production machinery, moderate noise levels, chemicals, cleanroom environments, and low-light inspection or testing areas. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when required.
• Ability to occasionally lift and carry items weighing up to 25 pounds and perform activities such as bending, reaching, stooping, and climbing stairs as needed.
• Occasional travel may be required to support customer meetings, supplier visits, program reviews, audits, and other business-related activities.

Disclaimer:

This job description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Rochester Precision Optics is committed to leveraging the talent of a diverse workforce to create great opportunities for our business and our people. 

EOE/AA/Race/Gender/Disability/Veteran

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States, and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.