Program Manager

Location: Maryland (Onsite / Hybrid)

Employment Type: Contract (Full-Time)

About AKIVA

AKIVA is an AI-native engineering firm specializing in enterprise services, domain-specific solutions, and high-performance infrastructure from strategy through deployment. We build innovative systems that drive measurable results for commercial enterprises and government agencies. AKIVA is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).

Position Overview

AKIVA is seeking a Program Manager to provide executive-level oversight and governance for a statewide enterprise network services program. The Program Manager is the primary contractual interface to the client, ensuring contractual compliance, performance excellence, customer satisfaction, and administrative alignment across NOC operations, network engineering, provisioning, service assurance, fiber design, work order management, invoicing, outside and inside plant (OSP/ISP) design, and on-net migrations. AKIVA-provided AI-assisted governance, reporting, and dashboarding tools may be used to accelerate business reviews, risk and issue tracking, supplier diversity reporting, and executive briefings.

Key Responsibilities

•      Serve as the primary contractual interface between the Contractor and the client across all program services

•      Ensure all services delivered under the program meet or exceed SLAs and KPI targets; enforce governance structures that align with client strategic objectives and IT initiatives

•      Oversee all staffing, subcontractors, and resource allocations; approve deliverables, Work Orders, invoices, and reporting

•      Manage risk, quality assurance, and continuous improvement programs across NOC, network operations, engineering, provisioning, and outside/inside plant work

•      Lead Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and Quarterly Program Reviews (QPRs) with stakeholders to review performance, risks, compliance, and improvement opportunities

•      Oversee Work Authorization (WA) processes and ensure timely execution of work orders, provisioning, migrations, and service activations with minimal service impact

•      Coordinate Transition-In and Transition-Out activities and all major operational changes

•      Direct ongoing IT infrastructure O&M, ensuring performance, availability, and resiliency for statewide network assets — backbone, edge, customer premise equipment (CPE), and fiber

•      Serve as the single point of accountability for program communications with the client, subscribing agencies, Contractors, and service providers

•      Adhere to ITIL, PMBOK, or other agreed-upon methodologies and quality standards; maintain documentation with ServiceNow for audits, governance, and knowledge transfer

Required Qualifications

•      Project Management Professional (PMP) certification

•      Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, or related discipline

•      At least 10 years of experience managing large-scale IT programs

•      At least 5 years of experience managing a network supporting at least 100 locations

•      Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-year, multi-discipline IT programs

•      Full-time availability as dedicated Key Personnel; must be available for leadership meetings, escalations, and priority events

•      Must be authorized to work in the United States

Preferred Qualifications

•      Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification or Master's degree in related field

•      Prior state or federal IT services program leadership experience

•      ITIL v4 Managing Professional or Expert certification

•      Experience with supplier diversity and small-business program reporting and compliance

•      Familiarity with AI-assisted program governance, reporting, and dashboarding tools

Tools, Technologies & Frameworks

Program Management: PMBOK, ITIL, quarterly business reviews, Plans of Action and Milestones, RAID logs, strategic roadmaps | Productivity: Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Project | Systems: ServiceNow | Reporting: Program Management Plan, monthly executive dashboards, quarterly program reviews, work order status, risk and compliance reports, supplier diversity reports | AI Assist: governance reporting, business review preparation, stakeholder briefings

What AKIVA Offers

•      Professional development and skill-building opportunities

•      Supportive management team with veteran-owned company values

•      Opportunity to work on impactful state government technology programs

•      Long-term contract engagement with potential for extension

•      AI productivity tools and training provided at no cost to employees

Comprehensive Benefits Package

•      401(k) with generous company match

•      Medical Insurance

•      Dental Insurance

•      Vision Insurance

•      Short-Term & Long-Term Disability Insurance

•      Paid Time Off (PTO)

•      Profit Sharing

Join Our AI Innovation Network

Interested in staying connected with AKIVA's AI initiatives, research, and opportunities?

Join our AI Innovation Network here: https://www.akiva.com/ai-network

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

AKIVA is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical disability, marital status, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We believe that diversity among our teammates is critical to our success as a company, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people within a qualified candidate pool.

AKIVA is a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB).