Chief of Staff / Program Manager

TENEX.AI • Sarasota, FL

18d • Onsite

About The Position

TENEX is an AI-native, automation-first, built-for-scale Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider. We are a force multiplier for defenders, helping organizations enhance their cybersecurity posture through advanced threat detection, rapid response, and continuous protection. Our team is composed of industry experts with deep experience in cybersecurity, automation, and AI-driven solutions. Backed by leading investors, we are rapidly growing and seeking top talent to join our mission of revolutionizing the MDR landscape. We’re a fast growing startup backed by industry experts and top tier investor Andreessen Horowitz. As an early employee, you’ll play a meaningful role in defining and building our culture. Get in on the ground floor. We’re a small but well-funded team that just raised a substantial round – joining now comes with limited risk and unlimited upside. The Chief of Staff/Program Manager will serve as the operational right hand to the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). This hybrid strategic and execution-focused role ensures that teams across TENEX.AI are aligned, unblocked, and operating at peak productivity. You will oversee cross-team initiatives, track progress against strategic goals, and drive delivery on customer onboarding and security-critical programs. This is a high-visibility role for someone who thrives in complexity, excels at coordination, and can translate strategy into accountable action. Location: This role will require onsite in our Sarasota, FL location. Culture is one of the most important things at TENEX.AI—dive into our culture deck at culture.tenex.ai to see how we live it every day, with a deep emphasis on the collaboration and community that only in-person work delivers. This role is for those already in Sarasota, Florida (outside Tampa), or ready to relocate / commute here, where bold innovators ignite cybersecurity revolutions. Escape the overly inflated cost of living and sky-high tax burdens with our incredibly aggressive relocation packages, designed to make the move for you and your family seamless, lucrative, and life-changing—think zero state income tax unlocking your full earning potential! Join us in this sun-soaked paradise, embracing unparalleled personal freedom, a pro-business powerhouse climate, year-round amazing weather, and a very pro-family culture headlined by the nearby master-planned utopia of Lakewood Ranch, boasting top-tier amenities, schools, and community vibes that fuel work-life mastery.

Requirements

• 5–10+ years of experience in program management, chief of staff roles, or technical operations—preferably in cybersecurity, AI/ML, or SaaS.
• Strong understanding of enterprise security programs, technical environments, and cross-functional engineering workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple programs simultaneously in a fast-moving environment.
• Exceptional communication, organization, and analytical skills.
• Proven track record of partnering with senior executives and influencing stakeholders without formal authority.
• Ability to translate high-level strategy into structured execution plans with clear milestones and measurable outcomes.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with customer-facing programs or onboarding processes is a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Program & Project Coordination
• Maintain a real-time view of progress across all teams (engineering, threat intelligence, security operations, product, customer success).
• Track program milestones, dependencies, risks, and blockers across the organization.
• Ensure customer onboarding projects are properly scoped, structured, and milestone-driven.
• Implement lightweight but effective frameworks for program tracking and execution.
• Chief of Staff to the CISO
• Translate strategic objectives from the CISO into actionable plans and initiatives.
• Prepare briefing documents, weekly reports, and operational reviews.
• Help prioritize the CISO’s agenda, ensuring focus on the most impactful work.
• Drive follow-through on cross-functional commitments and decisions.
• Cross-Functional Alignment & Productivity
• Facilitate communication and accountability between teams.
• Identify inefficiencies and propose process improvements to boost velocity and output.
• Ensure teams have the information, resources, and decisions they need to maintain momentum.
• Build and maintain a unified operational cadence (standups, sprint reviews, OKRs, dashboards, etc.).
• Risk, Blocker, & Issue Management
• Surface blockers early and coordinate with leaders to resolve them quickly.
• Maintain a structured risk log and mitigation plans for critical initiatives.
• Act as the escalation point for program-level issues that require executive alignment.
• Operational Excellence
• Establish and continuously improve standard operating procedures for project execution, reporting, and communication.
• Implement tools and systems that provide transparency and operational clarity.
• Track KPIs and produce performance insights for leadership.

Benefits

• Opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI-driven cybersecurity technologies and Google SecOps solutions.
• Collaborate with a talented and innovative team focused on continuously improving security operations.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A culture of growth and development, with opportunities to expand your knowledge in AI, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 51-100 employees