Pre-Award: CCPA- Program Manager – USCENTCOM Public Affairs Support

Barbaricum is seeking an experienced Program Manager (PM) to lead contractor operations supporting the anticipated United States Central Command (USCENTCOM) Public Affairs Directorate (CCPA) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. The Program Manager will oversee a multidisciplinary team delivering public affairs, strategic communications, media monitoring, operational planning, digital media, and analytical support to CENTCOM leadership. This position requires an experienced leader capable of managing personnel, resources, performance, and contract requirements in a high-tempo military operational environment. The successful candidate will serve as the primary contractor representative for program execution, ensuring mission continuity, quality performance, and responsiveness to evolving CENTCOM priorities.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage day-to-day contract operations, ensuring effective delivery of all personnel, resources, and services required by the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

Oversee multidisciplinary teams supporting 24/7 Joint Operations Center (JOC) media monitoring, media operations, strategic communications planning, regional media analysis, social media management, assessments, and multimedia production.

Serve as the primary contractor point of contact for program execution, coordinating with CENTCOM leadership, the Public Affairs Directorate, and Barbaricum leadership.

Develop and maintain program execution plans, staffing strategies, schedules, resource allocations, and performance management processes.

Manage workforce recruitment, onboarding, retention, professional development, and personnel replacements to maintain uninterrupted mission support.

Coordinate operational requirements and priorities across functional teams, ensuring personnel and resources are aligned with CENTCOM mission objectives.

Implement and oversee quality assurance and quality control processes to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with contractual performance standards.

Identify and mitigate program risks, including staffing shortages, operational disruptions, performance deficiencies, and emerging mission requirements.

Monitor program performance using established metrics and prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports identifying trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

Oversee personnel assignments, travel budgets, and other program resources within contractual and financial constraints.

Facilitate communication and coordination among senior military officials, public affairs personnel, and external stakeholders.

Support contingency operations and emergent mission requirements, including 24/7 surge support outside normal duty hours when required.

Required Qualifications

Active TS/SCI security clearance at the time of award.

Minimum of seven (7) years of progressive program management experience, including leadership of complex, multifaceted initiatives.

Demonstrated experience managing large-scale contract workforces of 40 or more personnel in high-tempo operational environments.

Experience with strategic communications planning, media operations, and content production, including photo and video production planning.

Demonstrated ability to analyze performance data, anticipate operational challenges, and develop effective solutions.

Proven understanding of U.S. military organizational structures, culture, terminology, and operational processes.

Excellent leadership, interpersonal communication, briefing, and critical-thinking skills.

Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, coordinate multiple functional teams, and make sound decisions under pressure.

Ability to support emergent operational requirements and mission-critical surge activities outside normal business hours.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience managing Department of War (DoW) contracts supporting a Geographic Combatant Command or major military headquarters.

Experience supporting military public affairs, strategic communications, information environment analysis, or media operations.

Familiarity with joint military operations, crisis communications, and 24/7 operational support environments.

Experience managing geographically distributed teams and personnel supporting contingency operations.

Familiarity with federal contract quality management, performance metrics, risk management, and Government reporting requirements.

Accredited in Public Relations (APR) or APR+M certification.

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent formal program management training.

Work Environment

This position is based at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and requires regular coordination with USCENTCOM Public Affairs leadership and contractor personnel. The Program Manager must be available to support emergent operational requirements, including after-hours activities and surge operations as directed by mission needs.

Employment is contingent upon contract award and satisfaction of applicable security and customer access requirements.