Cybersecurity Defense Planning Manager

Lafayette Group Inc.; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Lafayette Group in Arlington, VA is seeking a Cybersecurity Defense Planning Manager to lead a team of program analysts and subject matter experts in delivering national cybersecurity programs. You will collaborate with federal leads and industry partners to plan, coordinate, and implement cyber defense strategies and engagement initiatives.

The role requires strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and strong communication skills to drive high-impact outcomes in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant field.
• 6+ years in management consulting, communications, homeland security, or similar.
• Existing TS-SCI clearance.
• Experience engaging with stakeholders, private sector cybersecurity firms, and government clients.
• Strong writing and presentation skills; analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Ability to manage multiple milestones and deliverables to schedule.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Program Analysts, Managers, and SMEs to address national cybersecurity challenges.
• Design solutions with clients while addressing stakeholder concerns.
• Develop cyber defense plans uniting partners for collaborative efforts.
• Lead engagement planning, data gathering, and outcome-driven meetings.
• Improve processes for efficiency and impact; analyze data and trends.
• Produce high‑quality written work including strategic plans and reports.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Cybersecurity

Policy research

Oral and written communication

Project management

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PMP or Agile Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Cybersecurity Defense Planning Manager

Job Summary:

Lafayette Group is seeking qualified and team-oriented individuals to work with federal government organizations in support of national cybersecurity programs. The Cybersecurity Defense Planning Manager is part of a team focused on ensuring effective collaboration with industry partners on cyber operational planning and defense. This position works directly with company and federal leads to support partner collaboration and coordination, including strategic and operational planning, developing and enhancing information sharing networks, and leading engagements designed to support robust national cyber defense. Daily tasks may include providing support to or leading stakeholder engagements, developing and implementing cyber defense plans, and conducting policy research and analysis. The ideal candidate for this role is a collaborative team member with an understanding of stakeholder engagement practices, possesses an innate curiosity to learn, and the drive to excel with a team of like-minded colleagues in a high-profile, fast-paced environment. This position will:

• Lead a team of Program Analysts, Managers, and Subject Matter Experts to help clients solve nationally significant cybersecurity challenges.
• Build strong relationships with clients and stakeholders; design solutions that meet client needs while addressing stakeholder concerns.
• Develop, alongside clients, cyber defense plans that will unite relevant partners into structured collaborative efforts to address share cybersecurity challenges and goals
• Implement robust engagement strategies to cultivate effective cybersecurity partnerships, including meeting planning and coordination, leveraging tools to improve communication outcomes, and integrating partners into client initiatives.
• Identify, recommend, and implement new project processes or update/improve current processes for greater efficiency and/or impact.
• Support the collection and analysis of data and user feedback regarding the effectiveness and reach of engagement tools and strategies.
• Perform qualitative and quantitative research and analysis in support of projects to identify key themes and trends.
• Develop and deliver high-quality products that meet client requirements on schedule.
• Assist with client engagement and support, including preparing for and leading meetings, facilitating planning and data gathering sessions, and developing recommendations for plans, documents, and reports to support client needs.
• Support the development of high-quality written work products within and across areas of responsibility, including strategic plans, assessments and reports, presentations, talking points, fact sheets, and white papers.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree
• 6+ years experience in management consulting, communications, homeland security, or a similar field
• Existing TS-SCI clearance
• Experience working with relevant stakeholder groups, particularly private sector cybersecurity companies
• Experience leading the development and/or execution of strategic plans, including translating high-level goals into actionable objectives and activities, and overseeing the timely completion of relevant activities
• Possession of excellent oral and written communication skills; diplomacy and excellent listening skills
• Possession of excellent analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to remain open-minded, flexible and curious in problem-solving approach
• Ability to think conceptually and strategically and learn quickly
• Ability to build relationships and network effectively with all levels of staff, including senior leadership both internal and on the client site
• Experience managing multiple project milestones, components, and work products in line with industry recognized project management best practices
• Experience delivering briefing materials, analyzing trends in large information sets, and providing recommendations on business processes and workflows
• Ability to understand complex cybersecurity program policies/plans/directives, and then apply knowledge to project activities
• Experience leading oral discussions, presenting project status, and proposing solutions to managers or clients
• Strong cultural fit and value alignment with Lafayette Group, Inc.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Able to provide hybrid in-office support (1-2 days/week) in Arlington VA

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience providing consulting services to the government
• PMP or Agile Certification
• Experience with cybersecurity, cyber defense, cyber threat intelligence, and/or national-level homeland security policy
• Experience with data analytics and display

Location:

Arlington, VA

Salary Range:

$95,000-125,000

LGI carefully considers various factors when determining salary, including but not limited to education and training, professional experience, knowledge, skills and competencies, licensure and certifications, contract-specific affordability, and organizational requirements. New employees are not usually hired at the top of the estimated salary range and salary decisions depend on the circumstances and factors for each case. Salary is only one aspect of LGI's generous total compensation package.

Federal Contracts:

This position involves working on federal contracts that require all workers on the contract to be U.S. Citizens. Additionally, some contracts may require the ability to obtain a security clearance.

LGI is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact [e-mail]. This email address is for accommodation requests only. Non-related messages will be disregarded.