Senior Program Manager, CPSP

Job Description
Seaspan is seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager with business development experience to play in securing future naval opportunities at Victoria Shipyards. This position will integrate program management discipline with capture strategy execution, ensuring alignment between customer requirements, internal solution development, and competitive positioning. The Program Manager will serve as a core member of the capture team, providing leadership across planning, execution, and risk management to maximize win probability and prepare for seamless contract execution.

Note: Due to business needs, this position is required to be fully on-site based at 825 Admirals Road, Victoria.
What You'll Do

• Capture Support & Leadership

• Partner with the Capture Manager to develop and execute the overall capture strategy for major naval pursuits.

• Translate customer needs, operational requirements, and acquisition drivers into actionable program plans.

• Ensure alignment between technical solution, cost structure, schedule, and risk posture.

• Program Planning & Execution Readiness

• Develop integrated master schedules, work breakdown structures, and resource plans to support bid development.

• Lead internal program reviews, ensuring readiness to transition from capture to execution upon award.

• Coordinate with engineering, supply chain, finance, and operations to validate execution feasibility.

• Customer & Stakeholder Engagement

• Support the Capture Manager throughout engagements with government stakeholders and industry partners.

• Support shaping activities, customer meetings, and industry teaming discussions.

• Manage sensitive stakeholder relationships to strengthen customer confidence.

• Proposal Development

• Lead programmatic sections of proposals (management approach, execution strategy, risk management, staffing).

• Risk & Opportunity Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate programmatic risks across technical, schedule, and cost domains.

• Drive opportunity analysis to improve competitive positioning and execution readiness.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, business, or related field (Master's preferred).
• 8+ years of program/project management experience, preferably in naval defense acquisition, in-service support, shipbuilding, or undersea systems.
• Proven experience supporting capture or bid teams for large, complex defense programs.
• Strong knowledge of Royal Canadian Navy / Department of National Defence acquisition processes, contracting mechanisms, and program lifecycle management.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams in high-pressure environments.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• PMP certification or equivalent preferred.
• NATO Secret security clearance
• Strategic thinker with the ability to align tactical execution with long-term business goals.
• Collaborative leader, skilled at working across diverse technical and business functions.
• Strong financial acumen and understanding of cost/pricing strategies.
• Resilient, adaptable, and capable of thriving in competitive, fast-paced environments.

Why you'll love working here

• This role provides you a very competitive salary in line with the successful candidate's experience.
• We also provide the best-in-class health and wellness benefits package for this position, including things such as extended health care (i.e. paramedical services for massage therapy,speech therapy, mental health coverage, physiotherapy, and more), dental care, vision care, $500 personal spending account, and an Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP).
• This is a full-time permanent position because we have long term projects that need long term strategic support.

The estimated salary for this position is $156,600- $191,400. In determining final salary, Seaspan considers many factors including the successful Candidate's skillset and experience as well as position location and internal equity. The final base salary offer will be at the Company's sole discretion and presented as part of a competitive total compensation package.

About Us
Seaspan Shipyards is one of North America's most modern shipyards and unique in its ability to provide a complete range of services including new construction, conversion, refit, repair and life-cycle maintenance work for Canada's Coast Guard and Navy as well as commercial vessels including cruise-ships and deep-sea vessels. Seaspan Shipyards operations include Vancouver Shipyards, Vancouver Drydock and Victoria Shipyards.

To learn more, visit our website:

This position may involve defense articles and/or technical data regulated by the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations ("ITAR") and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act. In compliance with ITAR, the successful candidate will be subject to a security clearance through the Canadian Controlled Goods Program as regulated by the Controlled Goods Regulations and Defense Production Act. The successful candidate will be required to maintain their security clearance throughout their employment in this position.

Seaspan is committed to Employment Equity, supports diversity in the workplace, and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including, women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition team at for confidential support. We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible environment.