Senior Program Manager

ValidaTek•Camp Springs, MD

4d•$150,000 - $175,000

About The Position

ValidaTek is seeking a highly experienced Senior Program Manager to lead and oversee a complex program supporting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This role will be responsible for driving program execution, governance, performance management, and stakeholder engagement across multiple workstreams in a dynamic federal environment. The Senior Program Manager will provide strategic leadership, ensure alignment with USCIS mission objectives, and maintain compliance with federal standards while delivering measurable outcomes in support of immigration services modernization and operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Technology, or related field.
Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in program and project management
At least 5 years managing large-scale, complex federal programs or initiatives
Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or higher clearance as required by USCIS
Proven experience operating within a PMO structure and managing multi-project portfolios
Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), or equivalent - required

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree - preferred
Demonstrated experience supporting DHS or USCIS programs - strongly preferred
Agile certification (Scrum, SAFe, or equivalent) - preferred
Prior experience supporting immigration, case management, or federal citizen services programs
Familiarity with USCIS systems, processes, or mission operations
Experience with digital transformation, cloud modernization, or enterprise IT programs within the federal space
Knowledge of DHS policies, compliance frameworks, and security requirements

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of a large-scale federal program supporting USCIS mission systems and operational initiatives
Oversee multiple integrated projects and workstreams, ensuring alignment with program objectives, timelines, and budgets
Establish and maintain program governance structures, reporting cadences, and decision-making frameworks
Drive program performance using data-driven metrics, KPIs, and earned value management (EVM) where applicable
Stand up and manage a high-performing Program Management Office (PMO) supporting USCIS programs
Define and enforce standardized project management processes, templates, and best practices across all teams
Provide portfolio-level visibility into program health, risks, dependencies, and performance trends
Ensure compliance with federal acquisition regulations (FAR), DHS policies, and USCIS operational requirements
Serve as the primary interface with USCIS leadership, CORs, and key government stakeholders
Lead executive-level briefings, program reviews, and strategic planning sessions
Build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure mission success
Translate complex technical and operational concepts into clear, actionable insights for government leadership
Champion Agile and hybrid delivery methodologies across program teams
Facilitate backlog prioritization, release planning, and continuous improvement initiatives
Ensure teams are effectively utilizing Agile frameworks (Scrum, SAFe, or hybrid models) to deliver incremental value
Identify, track, and mitigate program-level risks, issues, and dependencies
Implement proactive risk management and escalation strategies
Monitor program financials, resource utilization, and performance metrics
Drive corrective actions to ensure program success and contract compliance