Senior Director, National Security

Spry Methods • McLean, VA

19d

About The Position

The Senior Director, National Security will serve as the Profit and Loss (P&L) leader for a key national security portfolio, driving financial performance, operational excellence, and customer satisfaction across existing and evolving programs. This role owns full P&L responsibility (revenue, bookings, profit margins, cash flow) for assigned accounts/programs, while leading program delivery teams, ensuring compliance, and positioning the portfolio for sustainable growth through recompetes, on-contract expansion, and strategic enhancements. The focus is on maturing operations, maximizing profitability, and delivering mission value rather than frontline new business capture.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, engineering, national security, or related field; Master's degree (MBA or equivalent) strongly preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in defense contracting, with 8+ years in program management, operations, or P&L leadership roles supporting national security clients (DoD/IC).
• Proven track record of managing P&L for portfolios/contracts, with demonstrated success in achieving profit targets, cost control, and margin improvement.
• Deep expertise in DoD/IC program execution, acquisition processes, budgeting, and compliance requirements.
• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance (with polygraph preferred); ability to maintain clearance.
• Strong financial acumen, leadership in matrixed organizations, and experience with tools like forecasting systems and Technomile.
• Excellent communication and executive presence for customer and internal stakeholder interactions.
• Willingness to travel (up to 25-35%) for program oversight, customer meetings, and site visits.

Nice To Haves

• Experience leading business units or portfolios in intelligence, cybersecurity, space systems, or C4ISR domains.
• Background in operational transformation, cost reduction initiatives, or maturing delivery processes in scaling defense programs.
• Prior roles with direct P&L accountability in defense primes or mid-tier contractors.
• Knowledge of emerging national security priorities (e.g., AI integration, supply chain resilience).

Responsibilities

• P&L Ownership and Financial Performance: Own and manage the full P&L for the national security business unit, including revenue forecasting, cost management, margin optimization, bookings targets, and cash flow. Achieve or exceed annual financial goals (e.g., revenue growth, EBITDA margins, return on invested capital) while balancing risk and compliance in a regulated defense environment.
• Program and Operational Leadership: Oversee execution of programs/contracts, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery to technical, schedule, and performance requirements. Lead cross-functional teams (program management, engineering, finance, subcontracts) to drive operational maturity, process improvements, and risk mitigation.
• Customer Relationship Management: Build and maintain senior-level relationships with DoD/IC customers, program offices, and stakeholders to ensure high customer satisfaction, identify follow-on opportunities, and influence requirements for recompetes or extensions. Serve as the primary executive interface for portfolio accounts.
• Strategic Planning and Growth Support: In collaboration with the Vice President of Strategy and Innovation; develop and execute portfolio strategy aligned with company objectives, including near-term financial planning, resource allocation, and investment decisions. Support moderate growth through recompete strategies, contract modifications, organic expansion, and efficient capture support (in collaboration with BD teams).
• Risk, Compliance, and Governance: Ensure adherence to federal regulations (FAR/DFARS, ITAR, CMMC, NISPOM), security protocols, and internal controls in classified settings. Manage program risks, audits, and performance metrics to protect profitability and reputation.
• Team Leadership and Development: Lead and mentor a team of program managers and supervisors. Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, innovation in execution, and mission alignment.
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Track and report key financial and operational metrics (e.g., EVMS, CPI/SPI, profit realization, customer CPARS ratings) to executive leadership. Participate in quarterly business reviews, forecasting, and strategic planning cycles.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees