GIS Leader

Guidehouse•Tysons, VA

About The Position

Guidehouse is seeking a strategic and technically strong AI & Data leader who specializes in Geospatial Analytics to accelerate and mature our GIS capabilities across the firm and support critical client delivery needs across our core capability areas. This leader will establish and scale our Geospatial Community of Practice and advance our ability to provide full stack solution development that include GIS tools. This role requires a blend of hands-on GIS and AI & Data development expertise, executive‑level communication, vendor relationship management, and proven experience standing up communities of practice. Technical Solutioning & Delivery Expertise Design and deliver innovative, scalable, and mission‑aligned GIS and data-based solutions across diverse client environments. Provide deep technical guidance in areas such as geospatial architecture, analytics, data engineering, and integration with modern cloud and enterprise platforms. Ensure technical quality, best practices, and consistency across engagements. Partnership Management Coordinate and strengthen cross‑account relationships with Esri and other key geospatial technology partners. Identify, evaluate, and cultivate partnerships with firms specializing in GIS, remote sensing, geospatial analytics, and related capabilities. Support co‑development, teaming, and joint go‑to‑market efforts across the geospatial ecosystem. Community of Practice Leadership Build, lead, and strengthen Guidehouse’s Geospatial Community of Practice (CoP). Promote collaboration, shared learning, and professional development across practitioners. Mentor emerging geospatial talent and support the growth of technical career pathways. Business Growth & Thought Leadership Identify, shape, and pursue GIS‑focused business opportunities across sectors. Contribute to proposal development, solutioning, win themes, and growth strategies that highlight Guidehouse’s geospatial value proposition. Partner with cross‑functional capability leaders to bring integrated GIS offerings to market. Develop and publish insights on emerging GIS trends, technologies, and applications. Represent Guidehouse at industry conferences, forums, and client‑facing events. Elevate Guidehouse’s market presence through white papers, presentations, and strategic viewpoints.

Requirements

Must be able to OBTAIN and MAINTAIN a Federal or DoD "Public Trust" security clearance; candidates must obtain approved adjudication of clearance prior to onboarding with Guidehouse. Candidates with an ACTIVE "Public Trust" or higher-level clearance are preferred.
Bachelor's degree
Minimum TEN (10) years in GIS, data engineering, cloud data platforms, or enterprise analytics.
Expertise in enterprise geospatial data architecture and engineering, including cloud-native spatial data pipelines, STAC/OGC standards, spatial databases (PostGIS, BigQuery, Apache Sedona), and scalable geospatial governance frameworks.
Advanced remote sensing and AI/ML capabilities, such as multispectral/SAR processing, change detection, object extraction, and design of AI/ML models for imagery, vector, and sensor data.
Strategic geospatial solution design for public-sector missions integrating spatial analytics and mission objectives (e.g., emergency management, infrastructure, GEOINT, energy, etc.)
Deep expertise across the Esri platform, including architecting solutions with ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, Field Apps, and ArcGIS APIs/SDKs.
Experience establishing or running a technology Center of Excellence or Community of Practice function.
Demonstrated success managing enterprise vendor relationships—preferably with Esri, or other strategic GIS partners.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence senior executives and technical teams.
Prior consulting or professional services experience delivering complex GIS, data and AI solutions.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with LLM-powered agentic tools capable of interpreting spatial data, executing GIS operations, and generating geospatial insights through natural language prompting.
Familiarity with regulated industries (public sector, healthcare, financial services).
Prior Director-level experience in a technology, analytics, geospatial or AI/ML leadership role.
Databricks certifications (Data Engineer Professional, Machine Learning Professional, or Solutions Architect).
Understanding of data governance frameworks and enterprise metadata management.
Active Secret or Top Secret clearance.

Responsibilities

Design and deliver innovative, scalable, and mission‑aligned GIS and data-based solutions across diverse client environments.
Provide deep technical guidance in areas such as geospatial architecture, analytics, data engineering, and integration with modern cloud and enterprise platforms.
Ensure technical quality, best practices, and consistency across engagements.
Coordinate and strengthen cross‑account relationships with Esri and other key geospatial technology partners.
Identify, evaluate, and cultivate partnerships with firms specializing in GIS, remote sensing, geospatial analytics, and related capabilities.
Support co‑development, teaming, and joint go‑to‑market efforts across the geospatial ecosystem.
Build, lead, and strengthen Guidehouse’s Geospatial Community of Practice (CoP).
Promote collaboration, shared learning, and professional development across practitioners.
Mentor emerging geospatial talent and support the growth of technical career pathways.
Identify, shape, and pursue GIS‑focused business opportunities across sectors.
Contribute to proposal development, solutioning, win themes, and growth strategies that highlight Guidehouse’s geospatial value proposition.
Partner with cross‑functional capability leaders to bring integrated GIS offerings to market.
Develop and publish insights on emerging GIS trends, technologies, and applications.
Represent Guidehouse at industry conferences, forums, and client‑facing events.
Elevate Guidehouse’s market presence through white papers, presentations, and strategic viewpoints.

Benefits

Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Basic Life & Supplemental Life
Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
Student Loan PayDown
Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
Skills Development & Certifications
Employee Referral Program
Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
Mobility Stipend