Sr Principal Program Performance Management Practitioner – PPM Center of Excellence

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent is required plus a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree plus a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience. Applicants selected may be subject to a U.S. Government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information. Due to the nature of work performed within our facilities, U.S. citizenship is required.

Responsibilities for this Position

General Dynamics Mission Systems has an immediate opening for a Sr Program Performance Management Practitioner to join the Program Performance Management (PPM) Center of Excellence. This role is designed for a proven PM leader with hands-on experience in program execution, Earned Value Management (EVM), and performance optimization—with a strong understanding of audit readiness and compliance assurance.  The position provides an opportunity to enhance the performance and profitability of an organization that supports some of our nation’s fundamental defense services.  General Dynamics Mission Systems employees work closely with esteemed customers to develop solutions that allow them to carry out high-stakes national security missions.

 

As a practitioner embedded in the PPM CoE, you will mentor program managers, guide adoption of common processes and tools, and lead initiatives that strengthen program performance, customer satisfaction, and digital transformation. You will also play a key role in ensuring programs are audit-ready and compliant with internal policies and external standards.

 

STRATEGIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represent the Program Performance Management Center of Excellence (PPM CoE) across GDMS’s lines of business, serving as a trusted advisor to program and functional leadership.

• Drive enterprise-wide execution excellence by promoting consistent application of GDMS’s common process framework, tools, and performance standards.

• Lead initiatives that advance digital PM transformation, enabling real-time visibility, data-driven decision-making, and tool adoption.

• Facilitate PM POL/PRO reviews and maintain the Customer Satisfaction Database to inform strategic improvements and customer engagement.

OPERATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Guide program teams in applying Earned Value Management (EVM) principles, ensuring compliance with EIA-748 standards and actionable performance insights.

• Support development and review of integrated cost and schedule baselines, variance analysis, and recovery planning.

• Assist programs in achieving audit readiness, including mock audits, documentation reviews, and corrective action planning.

• Ensure consistent use of scheduling best practices, MIL-STD-881, and NDIA’s Planning & Scheduling Excellence Guide (PASEG).

TRAINING & COACHING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and evolve PM onboarding, PM Bootcamp, and advanced training programs focused on cost, schedule, risk, and technical execution.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to program managers across all phases of the program lifecycle—from development through sustainment.
• Facilitate brown bag sessions, lunch & learns, and targeted workshops to address emerging challenges and share best practices.
• Promote a culture of continuous learning and performance accountability across the PM community.

 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Extensive experience in Program Management, with a proven track record of leading or advising complex defense programs through engineering, production, and sustainment phases.

• Deep expertise in Earned Value Management (EVM), including baseline development, performance analysis, and corrective action planning in compliance with EIA-748 standards.

• Demonstrated ability to mentor and coach program managers, enabling consistent application of PM best practices across diverse teams and portfolios.

• Strong understanding of program lifecycle execution, including cost, schedule, risk, and technical performance integration.

• Experience supporting or leading audit readiness efforts, including DCMA surveillance, customer reviews, and internal compliance assessments.

• Familiarity with GDMS’s common process framework, MIL-STD-881, and NDIA’s Planning & Scheduling Excellence Guide (PASEG).

• Skilled in facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration, with the ability to influence without direct authority.

• Proficiency with digital PM tools, dashboards, and analytics platforms that support performance visibility and decision-making.

• PMP certification or equivalent req