Director, Operations and Strategy, Risk and Security

Parsons Corporation•Chantilly, VA

15d•$148,300 - $266,900•Hybrid

About The Position

Parsons is looking for an exceptional operations and strategy leader to join our Risk and Security organization. In this role, you will serve as the strategic and operational partner to the Chief Security and Risk Officer, running the rhythm of the business and directing an integrated function spanning the PMO, its Security Culture and Awareness program, BISO engagements, and Shared Services. You will translate enterprise strategy into an executable roadmap, orchestrate cross-functional delivery, and provide leadership with clear visibility into priorities, performance, and resource trade-offs. This role blends the discipline of a business operations executive with the influence, judgment, and cross-functional orchestration the Risk and Security organization needs to move fast and deliver measurable value. This candidate will enjoy a hybrid work arrangement out of either our Chantilly or Centreville, Virginia office.

Requirements

Strategic planning and operating model design
Portfolio, program, and PMO governance expertise
Executive presence and organizational leadership
Organizational design and operating model development
Exceptional executive communication and executive storytelling
Strong stakeholder influence and cross-functional facilitation skills
Financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and cost transparency
Strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive matters
Ability to convert ambiguity into structure, action, and measurable outcomes
Enterprise governance
Financial acumen
Risk-based prioritization
Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Risk Management, Business Administration, or a related field required; equivalent practical experience may be considered
10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in cybersecurity, enterprise risk, technology, strategy, business operations, or related functions, including experience leading cross-functional organizations.
Experience partnering directly with C-suite executives to develop strategy, governance, operational planning, executive communications, and organizational execution.
Demonstrated success building operating models, governance forums, executive reporting, and portfolio management disciplines

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a business operation, strategy and operations, or transformation role supporting senior executives
Familiarity with security awareness and human risk management programs
Experience with BISO or business-facing security engagement models
Experience with vendor management and tooling oversight across platforms such as ServiceNow, Jira and JSM, PPM suites, and GRC platforms
Experience with M and A diligence, Day 1 planning, and integration governance
Master's degree preferred, such as an MBA, MIS, Cybersecurity, or Risk Management discipline
Experience supporting senior executives in a business operations, strategy and transformation role strongly preferred
ITIL 4 Managing Professional or Strategic Leader
PMP, PMI-ACP, or SAFe, or an equivalent Agile certification
Prosci or equivalent organizational change management certification
Security certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CRISC are a plus

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the Risk and Security leadership team, working closely with the CSRO to advance strategic priorities.
Drive the leadership rhythm of business, including planning and coordination for key engagements with business partners and other relevant stakeholders.
Lead and facilitate meetings with senior executives, drive security outreach and awareness efforts, and prepare executive briefings, decision memoranda, and board- or committee-ready materials while tracking commitments and follow-through.
Translate enterprise and security strategy into a multi-year roadmap, annual operating plan, and measurable operational initiatives.
Lead enterprise intake and portfolio governance for Risk and Security initiatives, operating stage gates, prioritization, and value realization practices
Manage program controls, delivery health, interdependencies, resource capacity, milestone tracking, and executive reporting
Standardize delivery approaches across waterfall, agile, and hybrid execution models where appropriate
Elevate decisions based on risk, outcomes, constraints, and business value
Direct the enterprise security culture and awareness program
Oversee awareness campaigns, role-based training, and phishing, smishing, and vishing simulation programs
Partner with the Human Risk Management function to translate human risk insights into targeted awareness and behavior change initiatives
Measure behavior change and awareness effectiveness and report outcomes to leadership
Direct the BISO function as the bridge between the Risk and Security organization and the business lines it supports
Embed security and risk requirements into business unit planning, initiatives, and decision-making
Translate enterprise security priorities into business-relevant guidance and carry business-line context back into the security organization
Provide executive visibility into business-line security posture, risk acceptance, and remediation progress
Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and cost transparency for the Risk and Security organization
Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and tooling and platform investments, and identify optimization opportunities
Direct data and reporting operations, executive dashboards, and reporting automation
Drive business enablement, documentation standards, and operational discipline across the function
Lead organizational change management for strategic Risk and Security programs to drive adoption and value realization
Shape executive messaging for leadership updates, all-hands communications, and enterprise change initiatives
Lead special programs sponsored by the CSRO, including operating model redesign, transformation, and M and A or security integration support