Senior Software Project Manager

Cayuse Holdings•Arlington, VA

12h•$150,000 - $170,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Software Project Manager is responsible for leading and delivering 1–4 key software development projects concurrently within a large, complex portfolio of applications. The role emphasizes Agile Software Development practices while ensuring compliance with and integration into the client’s existing Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) processes and governance. This role will have extensive experience managing Microsoft-based custom software applications, including on-premises systems being migrated to Microsoft Azure, as well as supporting other application technologies through operations and maintenance (O&M) phases. This position provides project and program management support for multiple applications in an operational environment, following the DS/CTO Project Management methodology and federal IT standards. MUST HAVE AN ACTIVE SECRET CLEARANCE.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field preferred (or equivalent experience).
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required.
Active Secret Clearance required.
Must be able to pass a background check.
May require additional background checks as required by projects and/or clients at any time during employment.
Strong leadership skills with the ability to lead and manage cross-functional teams of diverse individuals.
Self-starter with demonstrated ability to quickly learn new tasks, technologies, and business domains.
Excellent multitasking and time management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage competing demands across several projects.
High proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Microsoft Teams, and SharePoint; ability to create professional-quality artifacts, reports, and presentations.
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders at all organizational levels.
Extremely detail-oriented and well organized, with strong documentation and record-keeping habits.
Willingness and ability to work non-traditional schedules/shifts when required to support mission-critical activities, deployments, or urgent issues.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience delivering software projects for the U.S. Department of State (DOS), national security community, or other federal agencies, with a deep understanding of their unique operational environments, constraints, and mission priorities.
Familiarity with DOS-specific IT environments, systems, protocols, and security measures, including standard practices for system accreditation, data protection, and network security.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) or equivalent security-related certification.
Experience in computer science, information technology, or a related technical discipline, with the ability to engage effectively with development and security teams on technical topics.
Demonstrated outstanding problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills, with a proven ability to navigate complex situations, manage ambiguity, and deliver results under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

End-to-End Project Management: Manage multiple concurrent software development and O&M projects within defined scope, budget, and schedule, following the DS/CTO Project Management methodology and client SDLC standards.
Plan, initiate, and oversee project execution, monitoring, and closure activities, including detailed project schedules, milestones, resource plans, and financial tracking.
Ensure appropriate application of Agile practices (e.g., Scrum, Kanban, SAFe or hybrid approaches) while aligning with customer governance, documentation, and stage gate requirements.
Microsoft-Based and Cloud-Focused Delivery: Lead projects focused on Microsoft-based custom software applications (e.g., .NET, C#, SQL Server, SharePoint, Power Platform) and coordinate with technical leads on architecture, design, development, testing, and deployment.
Manage projects involving migration of on-premises applications to Microsoft Azure, coordinating with infrastructure, security, and operations teams to ensure secure, compliant cloud adoption and smooth cutover.
Portfolio / Program Management Support: Support program-level planning and coordination for a high volume of projects, ensuring alignment with enterprise priorities and mission needs.
Coordinate dependencies, shared resources, and cross-project risks and issues across multiple software initiatives in the operational environment.
Leadership-Championed Special Projects: Manage leadership-initiated special projects, including enterprise-level software upgrades, consolidations, and IT solution initiatives.
Conduct discovery, feasibility assessments, and options analyses to identify and refine IT solutions that address enterprise business needs.
Analysis, Reporting, and Performance Management: Provide critical information and decision support to Senior Management, including data collection, discovery, gap analysis, cost impact analysis, and process improvement recommendations across multiple projects.
Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs), metrics, and dashboards; support quarterly and ad hoc performance reviews and reporting.
Prepare clear, concise, and executive-ready status reports, briefings, and presentations for government stakeholders and internal leadership.
Risk, Issue, and Change Management: Identify, manage, and monitor project risks and issues, maintaining robust risk registers and action plans.
Develop and execute risk mitigation strategies, contingency plans, and corrective actions, escalating issues to the government and program leadership as appropriate.
Manage project change control processes, including impact analysis for scope, schedule, and budget changes, and ensure proper approvals and documentation.
Security, Compliance, and ATO Support: Assist in the planning and execution of Security Authorization and Assessment (A&A) activities and support application of the Risk Management Framework (RMF) across assigned projects.
Manage large efforts through the A&A process at DS and coordinate with information system security officers (ISSOs), security engineers, and other stakeholders.
Enable project integration with other Project Managers whose software development efforts require an Authority to Operate (ATO), ensuring alignment of schedules, documentation, and security controls.
Team Leadership and Stakeholder Collaboration: Provide guidance, leadership, and direction to multiple cross-functional teams (developers, testers, business analysts, security, operations) to ensure a common understanding of goals, priorities, and quality expectations.
Foster a collaborative, transparent, and accountable team culture and facilitate Agile ceremonies (e.g., sprint planning, stand-ups, retrospectives) as needed.
Collaborate with intra- and inter-department resources and stakeholders, facilitating discussions, workshops, and working sessions to drive decisions and progress for key mission initiatives.
Serve as a primary point of contact for government stakeholders, effectively managing expectations, addressing concerns, and ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
Other duties as assigned.