Cybersecurity Associate Director

Guidehouse•Arlington, DC

3d•$149,000 - $248,000•Onsite

About The Position

As a Cybersecurity Associate Director, you will lead high-impact federal cybersecurity engagements, advise government stakeholders, and help agencies strengthen cyber resilience. The role combines cybersecurity expertise, client and engagement leadership, business development participation, and team mentorship, with opportunities to develop Director-level business development and account-growth skills in partnership with senior practice leaders. You will lead medium to large cybersecurity engagements, oversee delivery quality and scalability, and ensure alignment with federal cybersecurity standards and guidance, including EO 14028, OMB guidance, CISA directives, and NIST frameworks. You will support cybersecurity practice growth through proposal development, solution shaping, client relationship management, and identifying opportunities. The role also contributes to thought leadership and the development of emerging offerings in areas such as AI security, cyber resilience, Zero Trust, cloud security, and data protection. The position requires an active and current Secret or higher federal security clearance, U.S. citizenship, and the ability to work onsite three to five times per week in the Washington, DC/Arlington, VA area. The annual salary range is $149,000 to $248,000, with compensation dependent on factors including skills, experience, training, clearance, licensure, certifications, and business needs.

Requirements

Active and current Secret or higher federal security clearance.
At least 12 years of experience in cybersecurity risk management and governance, including at least 3 years in leadership or supervisory roles.
Deep understanding of federal cybersecurity, privacy, risk management, and digital modernization initiatives.
Business development experience.
U.S. citizenship is contractually required.
Ability to work onsite 3–5 times per week in the Washington, DC/Arlington, VA area.
Ability to influence an AI-first, data-driven mindset and foster collaboration, innovation, and best practices.
Demonstrated business development activities, including proposal development, client relationship management, solution shaping, and opportunity identification.
Demonstrated ability to lead medium to large multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex cybersecurity programs.
Strong communication skills for engaging audiences from C-suite executives to technical specialists.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
Experience in business development and capture activities, including proposal development, client relationship management, solution shaping, and opportunity identification.
Five years of cybersecurity experience in one of the following: Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Department of War, or the Intelligence Community.
Master’s degree.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and/or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification.

Responsibilities

Lead medium to large cybersecurity engagements, typically involving 15–40 FTEs, and align work with EO 14028, OMB guidance, CISA directives, and NIST frameworks.
Lead strategic client engagements and contribute to enterprise cybersecurity transformation initiatives.
Serve as a trusted advisor to federal cybersecurity leaders and program executives.
Help agencies strengthen resilience against nation-state threats, modernize security operations, and advance Zero Trust objectives.
Oversee delivery of large cybersecurity engagements to ensure quality, scalability, and adherence to federal cybersecurity standards.
Integrate Zero Trust principles into enterprise services and guide system adoption using NIST SP 800-207 and relevant CISA, DOW, and Intelligence Community frameworks and approaches, including the Zero Trust Maturity Model.
Support cybersecurity practice growth through proposal development, solution shaping, client relationship management, and opportunity identification.
Build and maintain trusted client relationships and identify opportunities for expanded mission support.
Contribute to development of cybersecurity offerings in AI security, cyber resilience, Zero Trust, cloud security, and data protection.
Contribute to innovative cybersecurity solutions addressing mission risk through AI-enabled controls, analytics, and automation.
Work across cybersecurity, data, technology modernization, and AI teams to deliver integrated client solutions.
Lead and mentor multidisciplinary teams, supporting professional growth, technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and a collaborative culture of innovation.
Contribute to thought leadership through publications, conference participation, solution development, and industry engagement.

Benefits

Medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance.
Personal and family sick time and company-paid holidays.
Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus.
Parental leave and adoption assistance.
401(k) retirement plan.
Basic and supplemental life insurance.
Health Savings Account and dental/vision and dependent-care Flexible Spending Accounts.
Short-term and long-term disability.
Student loan paydown.
Tuition reimbursement, personal development, and learning opportunities.
Skills development and certifications.
Employee referral program.
Corporate-sponsored events and community outreach.
Emergency back-up childcare program.
Mobility stipend.
Flexible benefits package.