Senior Program Manager

Dcode • Washington, DC

1d

About The Position

We are seeking a mission-driven, results-oriented Senior Program Manager to lead the execution of high-priority initiatives for a defense sector client. In this role, you will lead major workstreams and projects that deliver measurable mission outcomes, while helping stand up and operationalize a rapid acquisition capability. You will play a critical role in building and implementing the frameworks, governance models, decision structures, and performance metrics required to accelerate innovation and delivery. This includes advising client stakeholders on program improvements, strengthening decision-making discipline, and ensuring teams remain focused on outcomes rather than outputs. Success in this role requires the ability to navigate ambiguity, lead teams, influence senior stakeholders, and translate complex challenges into structured, repeatable solutions that scale.

Requirements

• 5–7 years of relevant professional experience, including leadership of government-facing programs or workstreams.
• Experience supporting DoD or federal clients in areas such as acquisition, innovation, technology integration, or program management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and deliver measurable outcomes in complex, ambiguous environments.
• Experience advising stakeholders and influencing decisions at multiple levels of an organization.
• Strong understanding of program management principles, with exposure to agile methodologies.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to develop executive-level briefings and decision-ready materials.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on structured thinking and execution.
• Eligibility for clearance is required.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with DoD acquisition pathways (e.g., OTAs, CSOs, IDIQs).
• Experience building or implementing governance frameworks, operating models, or performance metrics.
• Experience working with innovation ecosystems, including startups or emerging technology vendors.
• TS-SCI with polygraph is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects or major workstreams delivering measurable mission outcomes in high-tempo environments.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable plans, operating models, and repeatable processes.
• Design and implement frameworks for rapid acquisition, including intake, evaluation, decision-making, and transition workflows.
• Drive execution through agile, sprint-based delivery models, ensuring progress is measurable and iterative.
• Ensure teams remain focused on outcomes (mission impact, speed, ROI) rather than outputs.
• Identify risks, anticipate challenges, and proactively implement mitigation strategies.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to client stakeholders, providing data-driven recommendations on program and process improvements.
• Facilitate alignment across leadership, program offices, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Support the development of governance structures, decision frameworks, and operating charters.
• Enable faster, more disciplined decision-making through standardized approaches (e.g., down-selects, risk recalibration, transition readiness).
• Establish and implement performance measurement frameworks, including leading indicators (e.g., cycle time, throughput, decision velocity).
• Develop ROI and impact models to support investment decisions and future scaling efforts.
• Ensure pilots and initiatives are structured as evidence-generating experiments with consistent evaluation criteria.
• Drive continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned and refining processes.
• Support the design and execution of engagement models with startups, academia, and emerging technology partners.
• Standardize approaches for technology evaluation, integration readiness, and vendor engagement.
• Help align innovation efforts with mission priorities and scalable delivery pathways.
• Lead and manage team members across projects, ensuring high-quality delivery and professional growth.
• Take responsibility for onboarding new team members and accelerating time to productivity.
• Support professional development through regular feedback and career conversations.
• Manage team utilization across projects to ensure effective resourcing and delivery.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Manage contract execution to ensure compliance, performance, and profitability targets are met.
• Monitor delivery health, flag risks early, and implement solutions to improve efficiency and scalability.

Benefits

• We provide equal opportunity to all persons without regard to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, family or parental status, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
• All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
• We believe diversity is a strength and aim to build an innovative and welcoming culture where people from all backgrounds feel respected and included.
• We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has the tools, resources, and opportunities to excel.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees