Assistant, Program Manager-Special Projects

Position Summary

The Special Projects Lead supports the Program Manager in the planning, coordination, and execution of high-visibility special projects and critical program workstreams within the New Generation and Special Projects portfolio. This role builds on the Senior Program Associate role, requiring a higher level of technical understanding, coordination complexity, and interaction with senior and executive-level stakeholders.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the Program Manager in leading high-visibility, complex special projects and priority program workstreams from planning through execution and close-out.
• Manage day-to-day coordination of scope, schedule, risks, action items, and deliverables for assigned initiatives.
• Develop and maintain detailed execution plans, schedules, and tracking tools to support timely delivery of program objectives.
• Carefully coordinate closely with engineering, technical operations, shipboard teams, shipyards, and vendors to gather inputs, track progress, and manage interfaces.
• Translate technical documentation, shipyard plans, and engineering inputs into clear program updates and execution tracking.
• Identify execution risks, constraints, and dependencies; support development of mitigation strategies in coordination with the Program Manager.
• Support preparation and delivery of program updates, briefings, and materials for senior leadership and executive forums.
• Serve as a key point of coordination for stakeholders on assigned initiatives, ensuring alignment, follow-up, and issue visibility.
• Escalate risks, decisions, and trade-offs to the Program Manager with clear context and recommended paths forward.
• Support cost, schedule, and risk management activities for assigned projects or workstreams.
• Track budget status, forecasts, and change impacts in coordination with Finance and Supply Chain teams.
• Ensure disciplined use of program management tools, templates, and reporting standards.
• Support budget tracking, forecasting, and variance analysis for assigned special projects.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and Finance on vendor costs, change documentation, and execution impacts.
• Aid in evaluating cost and schedule implications of technical or scope changes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Operations Management, or a related technical or analytical discipline.
• 8–12 years of experience supporting or leading complex, technically driven projects or programs in maritime, engineering, construction, industrial, or asset-intensive environments.
• Experience working on high-profile initiatives with exposure to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex execution details while maintaining alignment with program leadership direction.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong program coordination and execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex interfaces.
• Solid technical literacy, including the ability to understand engineering drawings, specifications, schedules, and technical documentation (not a design role).
• Advanced proficiency in MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio; AutoCAD familiarity strongly preferred.
• Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills suitable for senior leadership audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with sound judgment in escalating issues appropriately.

Financial Responsibilities

• Support budget tracking, forecasting, and variance analysis for assigned special projects.
• Coordinate with Supply Chain and Finance on vendor costs, change documentation, and execution impacts.
• Aid in evaluating cost and schedule implications of technical or scope changes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Operations Management, or a related technical or analytical discipline.
• 8–12 years of experience supporting or leading complex, technically driven projects or programs in maritime, engineering, construction, industrial, or asset-intensive environments.
• Experience working on high-profile initiatives with exposure to senior leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex execution details while maintaining alignment with program leadership direction.

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong program coordination and execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex interfaces.
• Solid technical literacy, including the ability to understand engineering drawings, specifications, schedules, and technical documentation (not a design role).
• Advanced proficiency in MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio; AutoCAD familiarity strongly preferred.
• Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills suitable for senior leadership audiences.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with sound judgment in escalating issues appropriately.

Travel Requirements

Travel up to 40%, including shipyards, dry docks, vessels, and other offsite locations. Domestic and international travel may be required.