Contract Creative Project Manager Jobs in Arizona

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Who we are and where we are going: 

Ascent Aviation Services is one of the largest aviation maintenance, repair, overhaul, storage and reclamation operations in the world. Our strength comes from our talented and professional employees who excel through teamwork and enthusiasm. Ascent Aviation Services continues to grow and are continually looking for motivated and career minded aviation professionals who will support our vision and goals.

We are seeking a results-driven Project Manager to serve as the key point of contact for our customers, ensuring seamless project execution with a strong focus on budget adherence, timely delivery, and customer communication. The Project Manager will embody our core values of Respect, Safety, Quality, and Results in all aspects of the role, contributing to a positive and professional environment. 

This role is responsible for coordinating and managing all aspects of assigned projects, ensuring successful delivery within scope, budget, and schedule while maintaining high-quality standards. Serving as the primary liaison between the company and the customer, the Project Manager will focus on clear communication, invoicing accuracy, constraint management, and maintaining alignment with project goals to ensure project success.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Customer Engagement and Communication

• Act as the primary point of contact for customers, ensuring they are informed and engaged throughout the project lifecycle
• Introduce customer to all key program personnel and define contacts for schedules, budget issues, and other concerns
• Deliver daily progress updates, highlighting critical paths and milestones while proactively addressing customer concerns
• Clearly articulate and justify labor, material, and cost estimates to customers for approval

Project Planning and Execution

• Develop comprehensive project plans in collaboration with Senior Production Planners and Maintenance Directors
• Establish and communicate critical paths to stakeholders, ensuring alignment with timelines and objectives
• Identify and mitigate constraints impacting schedules or budgets; escalate to directors as necessary

Invoicing and Financial Oversight

• Review and validate invoicing details, ensuring accuracy and alignment with customer expectations and project progress
• Monitor labor and material charges daily, ensuring adherence to budgets and contract terms

Coordination and Team Leadership

• Attend all required meetings and brief on the progress of projects and customer feedback
• Assign and manage workloads across departments, ensuring optimal resource utilization
• Coach and mentor team members to deliver excellence and foster a collaborative, customer-centric culture

Continuous Improvement

• Strive for ongoing process improvements to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction
• Ensure compliance with regulations and company policies; enforce good housekeeping practices
• Ensure Pre-Arrival plans, Pre-Dock Engagement, and Post-Docks are produced for maintenance checks
• Ensure routine performance audits are completed and reported within specified timeframes
• Engage in initial corrective actions, root cause analysis, and comprehensive corrective action efforts for assigned projects
• Additional duties may be assigned at the discretion of department management

Marginal Job Functions

• Ensure all work performed is done in a safe manner
• Direct activities to protect employees from harm and maintain safe working conditions

YOU WILL GET MORE THAN JUST COMPENSATION:

• 401K with Company Match
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• PTO - Eligible for 4 Weeks in your First Year, in Addition to 7 Paid Company Holidays
• Company-Provided Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, and Life Insurance
• Development and Career Growth Opportunities

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:  

• Capable of working independently or under supervision
• Flexibility to work at both Marana, AZ and Tucson, AZ locations as business needs dictate
• Strong leadership skills, including the ability to prioritize, delegate, and manage multiple projects while adhering to deadlines
• Excellent problem-solving, judgment, and decision-making skills, with the ability to adjust to rapidly changing circumstances and priorities
• Strong knowledge of human behavior and management techniques
• Exceptional presentation skills, with the ability to represent the company positively
• Creative and effective negotiation and conflict resolution skills

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: 

• High school diploma or equivalent (Required)
• 5 years of experience in project management (Preferred)
• Aviation industry experience (Preferred)
• Certification or experience in continuous improvement (e.g., Six Sigma, Lean Management) (Preferred)
• Bilingual in Spanish (Preferred)

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time.
• Frequent bending, stooping, squatting, crouching, kneeling, balancing, and reaching above shoulder level.
• Occasional crawling, climbing, lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling up to 50 lbs. unassisted.
• Requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity.
• Corrected vision and hearing to normal range.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED: 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• The work location will include aircraft Maintenance hangars, the flightline, and Avionics shop.
• Potential hazards include exposure to high intensity noise levels, extreme changes in temperature, electrical charges and radar waves, materials identified on the Safety Data Sheets, and working around moving machinery.

OTHER DUTIES: 

• May be required to work at both Marana, AZ and Tucson, AZ locations as business needs dictate. 
• Additional duties may be assigned at the discretion of department management. 

SMS REQUIREMENTS:

• Employees are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with company policies and government regulations. These rules are written in the interest of preserving the lives and the resources entrusted to each employee, and when the rules are violated, the risk of a mishap is usually increased.
• Employees shall participate in safety education programs and train to recognize hazards on the job and how to report them promptly. As a condition of employment, each member of Ascent Aviation agrees to report errors, incidents, and accidents honestly.
• An employee who observes an unsafe action or condition should bring it to the attention of supervisors and managers. Certain conditions may allow the employee to easily correct or condition a situation. 

Duties not listed within the position description may be required of the employee at the discretion of the department management. Job functions may vary due to irregular working conditions or multiple shift positions. 

Ascent Aviation Services is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment. We provide equal employment opportunities and are committed to making reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of their job. If you require any accommodation during the application or interview process, please let us know. EEO/AA/F/M/VET/DIS