Senior Project Manager

Ascent Aerospace – Inspiring the next generation of flight!

Ascent Aerospace is a world-renowned, single-source provider of production and automated assembly systems for the aerospace and defense industry. We provide high-precision advanced automated equipment as well as a full suite of both mold and assembly tooling required for the aerospace manufacturing market, including the largest Invar molds ever made— making us the largest tooling group in the industry. We work with our customers to develop their project and see it through, from process engineering to build and installation, to ensure it is an efficient and cost-effective solution. As a true, single-source integrator, we have proven tools to surpass our customer expectations. We have greater control of timing and schedules, which allows for 100% accountability, and avoids costly mark-ups, ultimately saving our customers money. The result: a group of businesses, each an industry leader within their own discipline, now acting as one truly integrated supply base.

SUMMARY OF POSITION
Project Managers at Ascent Aerospace manage a portfolio of capital equipment projects to build the world's aircraft (airplanes, helicopters, rockets) for major aircraft OEM's and their sub-tier suppliers. Typical projects include design, build and installation of mold tooling for fabricating composite parts, assembly jigs & fixtures, work platforms, automation (such as auto drill / rivet machines), up to and including full assembly line design and build for the aircraft.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position.

Performance, Cost & Schedule Management:
• The primary role of the Project Manager (PM) is to manage the interrelated criteria of performance, cost, and schedule throughout the design and build process. This ensures that the project stays within the contractual boundaries. In response to customer requests for schedule improvements or technical changes, the PM must collaborate with internal teams to develop solutions. They are responsible for maintaining an Integrated Master Schedule using MS Project. The PM takes ownership of assigned projects and is accountable for meeting customer and internal commitments related to scheduled, cost, customer requests, and profit. This is achieved through effective collaboration with internal teams to execute project requirements.
Customer Relationships:
• Building and maintaining external and internal customer relationships is a fundamental aspect of the PM’s role. The PM is expected to establish trust and confidence with customers through proactive and appropriate communication at various levels, using multiple communication channels, including project status updates and issue presentations. The successful candidate can manage difficult situations with integrity and honesty while representing the Ascent Team. They contribute to growing market share by leveraging their performance on existing project with the customer.
Risk and Opportunities:
• The PM is responsible for tracking and effectively communicating risks and opportunities on projects. They collaborate with internal and external teams to develop strategies for mitigating risks and capitalizing on opportunities to enhance schedule and profitability. The PM conducts variance analysis with support from the Finance team.
Change Control:
• Understanding customer requirements and distinguishing between needs and wants is critical. The PM manages changes in scope by working with appropriate team members. This process includes recognizing changes, preparing change requests, submitting them, and capturing the associated cost and schedule impacts in compliance with the contract. The goal is to generate additional profit for Ascent while meeting customer needs. Key points of control are during the proposal phase, contract acceptance phase, kick-off, and design phase. The PM negotiates with the customer to finalize changes and capture value for Ascent.
Leadership:
• The PM plays a leadership role in a matrix organization, leading project, and shared resource operation teams to achieve program and organizational goals. They facilitate communication, organization, motivation, and inspiration within internal teams to meet project objectives. Individual accountability is ensured through clear actions and expectations. The PM promotes collaboration through well-organized and purposeful meetings and builds and maintains high levels of trust through strong teamwork, empathy, and transparency. Depending on their level within the organization, they may also oversee other PMs or team members.
• Any additional duties or occasional special assignments as reasonably assigned by management.


REQUIRED SKILLS, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of education