Program Manager Contract Jobs in Gulfport, MS (NOW HIRING)

PROGRAM MANAGER- Gulf Coast Region

Customer Leadership | Program Execution | Business Growth

At Trident Maritime Systems – Heavy Equipment Group, there are no limits- only opportunities!  We don’t just build systems, we build careers.  As a leader in the marine and defense industry, we’re looking for innovative, forward-thinking professionals who are ready to take on complex challenges and deliver real-world solutions. 

We are seeking an experienced, results-driven Program Manager to lead strategic programs and customer relationships across the Gulf Coast region.

This is a high-impact leadership role with responsibility for complex, multi-year programs from award through successful execution and delivery. The Program Manager will work directly with key customers and serve as a trusted partner to senior leadership—driving program strategy, managing risk, ensuring fiscal accountability, and delivering results on schedule and in alignment with customer expectations. Beyond program execution, this role will have a direct impact on the growth of our business. The Program Manager will identify, develop, and pursue new opportunities that align with our strategic objectives and strengthen our presence in the Gulf Coast region.

We are looking for a leader who takes ownership, builds strong customer relationships, anticipates challenges, and drives programs and the business forward.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Program Leadership & Execution
• Own the successful execution and performance of multiple complex programs concurrently, with accountability for cost, schedule, quality, technical performance, and customer commitments.
• Establish clear program priorities, milestones, and accountability across cross-functional teams. Drive execution and ensure commitments are understood, measured, and achieved.
• Proactively identify program risks and opportunities, establish mitigation strategies, and drive issues to resolution before they impact customer commitments or business performance.
• Hold functional teams accountable for program commitments while creating alignment across Engineering, Supply Chain, Planning, Production, Quality, Finance, and other supporting organizations.
• Customer Leadership & Relationship Management
• Serve as the primary customer-facing leader throughout the program lifecycle, owning the overall customer relationship and ensuring clear, proactive, and professional communication.
• Build trusted, long-term relationships with key customer stakeholders by understanding their priorities, anticipating challenges, and consistently delivering against commitments.
• Lead customer discussions and negotiations involving program performance, schedule, pricing, scope, and contractual matters.
• Serve as the critical link between the customer and Trident’s functional leadership, ensuring customer requirements and priorities are clearly understood and translated into executable actions across the organization.
• Business Growth & Strategic Development
• Take an active role in identifying and developing new business opportunities within existing and prospective customer accounts.
• Leverage customer relationships, program knowledge, and market awareness to identify emerging requirements and position Trident for follow-on and new business opportunities.
• Support and lead proposal development, pricing strategy, customer negotiations, and capture activities as appropriate.
• Contract, Scope & Financial Ownership
• Own program financial performance, including budget management, forecasting, Estimate at Completion (EAC), Estimate to Complete (ETC), revenue and invoicing performance, and overall program profitability.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the scope of work, estimate assumptions, contract requirements, terms and conditions, schedule obligations, risks, and customer commitments to ensure disciplined program execution.
• Proactively identify cost, schedule, and scope variances and lead corrective actions before they materially impact program or financial performance.
• Lead the identification and management of scope changes and contract adjustments.
• Protect the company’s contractual and financial position by identifying out-of-scope work and ensuring changes are documented, communicated, and appropriately addressed.
• Executive Communication & Accountability
• Provide senior leadership with clear, concise, and fact-based assessments of program performance, financial outlook, customer priorities, key risks, and required decisions.
• Escalate significant risks and issues early, with clearly defined impacts, mitigation plans, and recommended courses of action.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of six (6) years of relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the essential functions of the role.
• Minimum of three (3) years of direct program management experience, with demonstrated ownership of complex programs and responsibility for customer relationships, cost, schedule, risk, and overall program performance.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and manage program schedules, financial performance, forecasts, risks, and contractual deliverables and take corrective action when performance deviates from plan.
• Demonstrated success managing large-scale programs with significant financial, technical, or operational impact to the business.
• Proficiency with program management and business tools, including Microsoft Project, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel as needed.

STAND-OUT QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering Management, or a related field.
• PMP or PgMP certification.
• Experience managing complex programs within the maritime, shipbuilding, defense, or heavy industrial sectors.
• Experience managing government or major defense-prime customers and complex contractual requirements.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization.
• Demonstrated success identifying, developing, or capturing follow-on and new business opportunities.

Why You'll Love Working Here

• We believe in investing in our employees by offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, work-life balance, and career growth.

Our Benefits Include

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (effective within 30 days of your start date)
• 100% employer-paid employee-only medical premiums on our HSA medical plan
• 100% employer-funded HSA contributions to help cover eligible medical expenses
• Pre-tax savings plans, including Medical Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose FSA options
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• 100% company-paid short-term disability, long-term disability, and basic life insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO), 9 paid holidays, plus 1 floating holiday of your choice
• 401(k) with a 50% company match on employee contributions up to 6%
• Pet insurance to help care for your furry family members
• Critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance
• Identity theft protection available at a discounted rate
• Tuition reimbursement to support your continued education
• Company-sponsored events throughout the year
• Ongoing training, development, and career advancement opportunities

More Than a Job—A Career

We're committed to helping you build a rewarding career while providing the benefits and support you need to succeed both at work and at home. With us, your skills, performance, and dedication help determine your earning potential.

Join our winning team and manufacture your success—one skill at a time!
 

At Trident Maritime Systems – Heavy Equipment Group, there are no limits- only opportunities! We don’t just build systems, we build careers. As a leader in the marine and defense industry, we’re looking for innovative, forward-thinking professionals who are ready to take on complex challenges and deliver real-world solutions.