Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Gulf Copper is seeking a Deputy Program Manager for their operations at Helsinki Shipyard in Finland. This role is focused on program monitoring and customer management, ensuring effective communication and relationship management with the U.S. Coast Guard while overseeing schedule, cost, and quality trends.
Responsibilities
- Manage the day-to-day relationship with the U.S. Coast Guard at Helsinki Shipyard, serving as the customer's primary point of contact and controlling the information and access the customer receives, so that USCG oversight needs are met without embedding the customer in day-to-day shipyard production activities
- Monitor on-site program schedule progress at Helsinki Shipyard against the agreed Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and critical path, and support development of a reliable, mutually agreed means of recording and reporting progress, both internally and to the customer
- Monitor quality trends and overall conformance of shipyard and subcontractor work to contract specifications, ABS standards, ISO 9001 requirements, and applicable regulatory codes, escalating significant non-conformances to the Program Manager rather than directing corrective action on-site
- Consolidate and relay schedule, cost, and quality information from Helsinki Shipyard to the Program Manager and Davie Defense International (DDI) leadership through a single, controlled reporting channel
- Support submission, review, and tracking of CDRLs/SDRLs and other contractually required data and documentation, ensuring information released to the USCG is reviewed and approved through appropriate channels before release
- Support production transition planning from Helsinki Shipyard to Gulf Copper's Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas facilities from a program-level information and coordination standpoint
- Coordinate periodic progress reviews with Helsinki Shipyard leadership on behalf of the Program Manager, summarizing findings and status for the Program Manager and DDI leadership
- Assist with the preparation and delivery of program status reports, briefings, and correspondence for USCG, executive leadership, and internal stakeholders
- Identify and escalate program risks, schedule concerns, non-conformances, and information-control concerns to the Program Manager and appropriate compliance functions
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with Helsinki Shipyard leadership, subcontractors, and USCG stakeholders, operating effectively within Finnish and EU regulatory and labor environments
- Support day-to-day compliance with applicable U.S. government contracting requirements, export control regulations, and company policies and procedures, in coordination with the Program Manager
Skills
- Minimum of 5–8 years of experience in shipbuilding, ship repair, or major maritime program management, customer management, or client-facing project controls roles, preferably including new-build construction
- Familiarity with quality management systems and standards, including ABS technical requirements and ISO 9001
- Willingness to relocate for an extended international assignment in Finland
- Strong customer and stakeholder management skills, with the judgment and discipline to manage the USCG's information and access appropriately, keeping the customer positioned outside day-to-day production activities while meeting their oversight needs
- Strong program monitoring and reporting skills, with the ability to track schedule and quality trends at a program level and translate shipyard information into clear, reliable reporting for the Program Manager and DDI leadership
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to represent the company professionally to U.S. government stakeholders
- Able to work in a highly confidential manner and manage controlled or sensitive government information appropriately
- Strong cross-cultural communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with Finnish shipyard partners and multinational teams
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively
- A dependable, self-directed working style with sound judgment on when to act and when to escalate to the Program Manager
- Commitment to company values, policies and procedures, and safety program
- Demonstrated experience managing customer or government relationships on a major capital construction or shipbuilding program preferred
- Familiarity with U.S. Navy or U.S. Coast Guard contracting frameworks, including Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) development and CDRLs/SDRLs, preferred
- Prior experience serving as a day-to-day point of contact for U.S. government program offices or oversight representatives strongly preferred
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification a plus
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