IT Program Manager – Federal Contracts

Description

Location: [Columbia, MD] (Hybrid – Mondays and Wednesdays in the office) 

Residency Requirement: Candidates must have lived in the U.S. for at least 3 of the past 5 years and be authorized to work in the U.S. (Citizen, Permanent Resident, or EAD). 

Sponsorship: This position does not offer any sponsorship. Candidates must already be authorized to work in the U.S. (e.g., Citizen, Permanent Resident, or EAD). 

Clearance: Public Trust Clearance (or ability to obtain) 

Job Overview: 

Cogent People Inc. is seeking a skilled and motivated Program Manager to join our dynamic IT team. In this role, you will oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of mission-critical projects while ensuring client satisfaction, budget adherence, and compliance with government contracting standards. The ideal candidate will have strong experience in program and project management within IT environments and will contribute to operational excellence and team development. 

Responsibilities: 

• Lead end-to-end program management, ensuring timely delivery, budget compliance, and achievement of performance metrics. 
• Serve as primary liaison with clients, internal leadership, and cross-functional teams to ensure clear communication, risk mitigation, and alignment with business objectives. 
• Manage and mentor project teams, including resource allocation, onboarding, performance monitoring, and professional development. 
•  Develop, monitor, and report on program budgets, forecasts, and expenditures; proactively address variances and optimize resource utilization. 
• Implement program management best practices, Agile/DevOps methodologies, and ensure compliance with relevant federal regulations and internal policies. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, IT, or related field (or equivalent experience). 
• 5+ years of hands-on program or project management experience, including 3+ years in IT program management or federal contract environments. 
• Familiarity with project management tools (e.g., MS Project, JIRA, Asana, or equivalent). 
• Experience with Agile, DevOps, or other project management methodologies. 
• Strong communication skills to effectively work with developers, business analysts, project managers, and client stakeholders. 
• Commitment to delivering high-quality, accurate, and timely results. 
• Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with the ability to manage complex, fast-paced programs. 
• Strong attention to detail with a commitment to delivering high-quality and accurate work.  
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams. 
• Proven ability to manage time and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.  
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills with a proactive and solution-oriented mindset. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent project/program management certification 
• Experience managing multi-site or geographically distributed teams desired 
• Prior experience with federal government contracts, especially CMS, preferred 

***This position is contingent upon the award of a government contract. Final employment is subject to contract award 

Why Cogent People Inc.?

At Cogent People, we foster a collaborative, growth-driven environment where innovation thrives. You’ll be part of a team working on mission-critical technology solutions that make a real impact. We offer competitive salaries, career development opportunities, and the chance to contribute to meaningful projects that shape the future. 

As a Certified Great Place to Work, we prioritize employee satisfaction and provide a supportive, inclusive culture where every team member is valued and empowered to succeed.

Benefits:  

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Comprehensive coverage.

401(k) Plan: Matching contributions.

Life Insurance & Disability Coverage: Company-paid life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance.? 

Paid Time Off: 3 weeks of PTO annually, plus 10 holidays.

EEO Employer: 

Cogent People Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, or any other status protected by law.