Program Manager III

About the Role

A confidential federal contractor is seeking an experienced Program Manager III to lead a high-visibility advisory and assistance support effort for a federal national security mission office in Arlington, VA. This position will oversee contract execution, personnel management, deliverable quality, customer coordination, transition activities, and day-to-day support for a fast-paced mission environment focused on advanced technology, strategic operations, acquisition support, financial management, administrative support, and technical program execution. The ideal candidate is a proven leader with experience managing professional services teams in classified federal environments. This role requires strong communication skills, disciplined program management, the ability to respond quickly to changing mission priorities, and the maturity to interface with senior Government stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary contract management point of contact for Government leadership, the Contracting Officer, the COR, and other designated Government representatives.
• Lead and manage a multidisciplinary team supporting executive administration, program analysis, financial management, acquisition support, technical support, event coordination, briefing development, and strategic operations.
• Ensure all contractor personnel perform assigned duties in a professional, courteous, effective, and mission-focused manner.
• Maintain a stable workforce and minimize disruption caused by vacancies, absences, turnover, or personnel transitions.
• Manage staffing plans, recruiting coordination, onboarding, retention, and replacement personnel activities.
• Provide timely notification and documentation to Government stakeholders regarding vacancies, proposed replacements, onboarding timelines, and personnel changes.
• Ensure continuity of services during employee absences, voluntary or involuntary separations, and transition periods.
• Develop and manage program management plans, staffing plans, transition plans, schedules, quality control procedures, risk mitigation approaches, and performance tracking processes.
• Monitor contract deliverables, reports, schedules, action items, and performance objectives to ensure timely and accurate completion.
• Support rapid-response requirements and changing mission priorities, including short-deadline tasking and surge support coordination.
• Track contract performance against quality standards, including timeliness, accuracy, customer satisfaction, personnel retention, and deliverable quality.
• Coordinate with Government stakeholders to resolve issues, address concerns, and maintain high customer satisfaction.
• Support phase-in and phase-out transition planning, including knowledge transfer, process documentation, personnel onboarding, and continuity of operations.
• Prepare and deliver program status updates, management reports, staffing updates, risk assessments, and other contract management documentation.
• Ensure contractor personnel comply with applicable security, facility access, identification, training, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain awareness of mission priorities, evolving requirements, and stakeholder expectations to align contractor support accordingly.
• Coordinate with subcontractors, teaming partners, and internal corporate support functions as needed.
• Ensure personnel understand their contractor status and comply with all professional, security, and communication protocols.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 10 years of program management, project management, or professional services management experience.
• Experience managing federal Government support contracts or task orders.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams in a high-tempo federal or national security environment.
• Experience supporting classified work environments.
• Strong understanding of personnel management, contract execution, deliverable tracking, performance management, and customer coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to manage staffing, onboarding, retention, vacancies, and continuity of operations.
• Ability to communicate effectively with senior Government stakeholders and internal leadership.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple competing priorities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
• Active Top Secret clearance required.
• Ability to work onsite in Arlington, VA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred.
• PMP certification preferred.
• Experience managing advisory and assistance services, SETA, program support, acquisition support, financial management, or technical support contracts.
• Experience supporting senior executive-level Government offices.
• Experience managing contracts with rapid-response requirements, surge support, and evolving mission priorities.
• Experience with transition-in and transition-out planning.
• TS/SCI eligibility or current TS/SCI access preferred.

Benefits

• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance