Cybersecurity Associate Director

US101 Guidehouse Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 149,000 - 248,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Parental Leave & Adoption Assistance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability

Mobility Stipend

Employee Referral Program

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking a Cybersecurity Associate Director to lead federal cybersecurity engagements, advise government stakeholders, and help agencies strengthen cyber resilience amid complex threats. The role blends governance, risk, and compliance with engagement leadership, business development, and mentorship to develop future practice leadership.

Onsite in the DC area with up to 10% travel. You will influence AI-driven security, Zero Trust, cloud security, and data protection offerings,

Qualifications

• Active and current SECRET (or higher) federal clearance.
• 12+ years in cybersecurity risk management and governance.
• US Citizenship is contractually required.
• Ability to be onsite 3-5x per week in the Washington, DC area.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic federal cybersecurity engagements and advise government stakeholders.
• Help agencies strengthen resilience against nation-state threats and modernize security operations.
• Mentor teams and drive AI, Zero Trust, and cloud security offerings.

Skills

AI-first mindset

Business development

Leading multidisciplinary teams

Stakeholder communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

PMP/CISSP/CISM certifications (nice to have)

Job description

Job Family: Cyber Consulting Travel Required: Up to 10% Clearance Required: Active Secret

As a Cybersecurity Associate Director, you will lead high-impact federal cybersecurity engagements, serve as a trusted advisor to government stakeholders, and help agencies to strengthen cyber resilience in an increasingly complex threat environment. This role combines cybersecurity expertise, client leadership, business development participation, and team mentorship to deliver mission-focused outcomes while preparing for future practice leadership opportunities. This exciting role combines deep expertise in cyber governance, risk management, and compliance with engagement leadership, business development, and stakeholder engagement skills. You will be positioned to develop Director-level business development and account growth skills through partnership with senior practice leaders. The key focus will be to deliver on four main functions:

• Lead medium to large (15-40 FTEs) cybersecurity engagements, ensuring alignment with EO 14028, OMB guidance, CISA directives, and NIST frameworks.
• Support growth of cybersecurity offerings through proposal development, solution shaping, client relationship management, and opportunity identification.
• Oversee delivery of large cybersecurity engagements, ensuring quality, scalability, and adherence to federal cybersecurity standards.
• Contribute to thought leadership initiatives through publications, conference participation, solution development, and industry engagement.

What you will do:

Lead strategic client engagements and contribute to enterprise cybersecurity transformation initiatives. Serve as a trusted advisor to federal cybersecurity leaders and program executives. Help agencies strengthen resilience against nation-state threats, modernize security operations, and advance Zero Trust objectives. Contribute to development of emerging cybersecurity offerings in areas such as AI security, cyber resilience, Zero Trust, cloud security, and data protection. Integrate Zero Trust principles into enterprise services and guide system adoption in accordance with NIST SP 800-207, CISA, DOW and IC frameworks and approaches for Zero Trust Maturity Model into engagements, and potential new work. Build and maintain trusted client relationships that identify opportunities for expanded mission support. Contribute to practice growth through business development support, proposal development, client engagement, and innovative cybersecurity solutions that address mission risk through AI-enabled controls, analytics, and automation. Work across cybersecurity, data, technology modernization, and AI teams to deliver integrated client solutions. Lead and mentor multidisciplinary project teams while fostering professional growth, technical excellence, knowledge sharing, and a collaborative culture of innovation.

We’re looking for someone who has these abilities and skills:

• Ability to influence an AI first, data-driven mindset and foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and best practices.
• Demonstrated business development activities through proposal development, client relationship management, solution shaping, and opportunity identification.
• Demonstrated ability to lead medium to large, multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex cybersecurity programs.
• Strong communication skills for engaging audiences from C-Suite executives to technical specialists.

What You Will Need:

• An ACTIVE and CURRENT SECRET (or higher) federal security clearance.
• Twelve (12+) years of experience in cybersecurity risk management and governance, INCLUDING THREE (3) years in leadership or supervisory roles.
• Deep understanding of federal cybersecurity, privacy, risk management, and digital modernization initiatives.
• Business Development experience.
• US Citizenship is contractually required.
• Ability to be onsite 3-5x per week in the Washington, DC/Arlington, VA area.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university.
• Experience in business development and capture activities through proposal development, client relationship management, solution shaping, and opportunity identification.
• FIVE (5) years of cybersecurity experience in one of the following agencies: Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, Department of War or the Intelligence community.
• Master’s Degree Project Management Professional (PMP) Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and/or Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

The annual salary range for this position is $149,000.00-$248,000.00. Compensation decisions depend on a wide range of factors, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, security clearances, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

What We Offer:

Guidehouse offers a comprehensive, total rewards package that includes competitive compensation and a flexible benefits package that reflects our commitment to creating a diverse and supportive workplace.

Benefits include:

• Medical, Rx, Dental & Vision Insurance
• Personal and Family Sick Time & Company Paid Holidays
• Position may be eligible for a discretionary variable incentive bonus
• Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Basic Life & Supplemental Life
• Health Savings Account, Dental/Vision & Dependent Care
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability
• Student Loan PayDown Tuition Reimbursement, Personal Development & Learning Opportunities
• Skills Development & Certifications
• Employee Referral Program
• Corporate Sponsored Events & Community Outreach
• Emergency Back-Up Childcare Program
• Mobility Stipend

About Guidehouse

Guidehouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer–Protected Veterans, Individuals with Disabilities or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.

Guidehouse will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law or ordinance including the Fair Chance Ordinance of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

If you have visited our website for information about employment opportunities, or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Guidehouse Recruiting at 1-571-633-1711 or via email at [e-mail]. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodation. All communication regarding recruitment for a Guidehouse position will be sent from Guidehouse email domains including @guidehouse.com or [e-mail]. Correspondence received by an applicant from any other domain should be considered unauthorized and will not be honored by Guidehouse.

Guidehouse does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Guidehouse and Guidehouse will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

Guidehouse is a global AI-led professional services firm delivering advisory, technology, and managed services to the commercial and government sectors. With an integrated business technology approach, Guidehouse drives efficiency and resilience in the healthcare, financial services, energy, infrastructure, and national security markets. Built to help clients across industries outwit complexity, the firm brings together approximately 18,000 professionals to achieve lasting impact and shape a meaningful future. guidehouse.com