Cybersecurity Director

US101 Guidehouse Inc.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan

Parental Leave

Job summary

Guidehouse is seeking an accomplished cybersecurity leader in Arlington, VA to drive policy development, risk-based advisory, and enterprise security program execution for federal and interagency clients.

The role requires 10+ years of experience, an active SECRET clearance, and a proven track record in leading cross-functional teams and winning federal engagements. You will integrate Zero Trust concepts with AI-enabled controls and collaborate with senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• TEN (10)+ years of overall relevant work experience.
• ACTIVE and MAINTAINED SECURITY clearance (SECRET or higher).
• Experience in cybersecurity risk management and governance, including senior leadership roles.
• Federal experience at the department level working on cyber security programs.
• Comprehensive understanding of federal IT/security and privacy procedures and techniques.
• Ability to influence an AI-first, data-driven mindset and drive collaboration, innovation, and best practices.
• Proven track record in leading capture, building pipeline, increasing win-rate across federal segments and meeting yearly targets.
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex cybersecurity programs.
• Strong communication skills for engaging audiences from C-Suite to technical staff.
• US Citizenship is required.
• Sponsorship is not eligible for this position.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and execution of cybersecurity policies, services and solutions aligned with EO 14028, OMB guidance, CISA directives, and NIST frameworks.
• Advise executive leadership (CISO, CIO, CDO) and interagency partners on cybersecurity strategies and risk posture.
• Mentor multi-disciplinary teams and foster a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Drive cybersecurity program performance by defining KPIs, maturity models, and compliance metrics to improve risk reduction.
• Grow practice through business development, proposal leadership, and client engagement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Strategy & Governance

Risk Management

Business Development

Capture & Pipeline

AI/Data Mindset

Stakeholder Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

PMP

CISSP

CISM

Job description

Job Family: Cyber Consulting Travel Required: Up to 25% Clearance Required: Active Secret

What you will do:

• Lead development and execution of cybersecurity policies, services and solutions aligned with EO 14028, OMB guidance, CISA directives, and NIST frameworks.
• Advise executive leadership (CISO, CIO, CDO) and interagency partners on cybersecurity strategies and risk posture.
• Bring together cybersecurity technical competencies with IT, data and AI competencies to advance risk management approaches with clients and potential clients.
• Integrate Zero Trust principles into enterprise services and drive 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.
• Drive cybersecurity program performance by defining and monitor KPIs, maturity models, and compliance metrics to operational effectiveness and risk reduction such as decreased time for vulnerability patching, increase speed of Mean Time to Recover, or increase in compliance with continuous monitoring / continuous Authority to Operate initiatives.
• Drive practice growth through business development, proposal leadership, and client engagement, translating mission risk into AI‑enabled controls, analytics, and automation; steward solutions and optimizing outcomes and margin.
• Mentor multi‑disciplinary teams; builds communities of practice; embeds learning loops; fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.

What You Will Need:

• TEN (10)+ years of overall relevant work experience.
• Bachelors degree from an accredited university.
• An ACTIVE and MAINTAINED "SECRET" (or higher) federal security clearance.
• Experience in cybersecurity risk management and governance, including various years in senior leadership roles.
• Federal experience at the department level working on cyber security programs.
• Comprehensive understanding of federal IT/security and privacy procedures and techniques.
• Ability to influence an AI first, data-driven mindset and drive a culture of collaboration, innovation, and best practices.
• Proven track record in Leading capture, building pipeline, increase win‑rate across federal segments and meeting yearly targets (e.g., bookings, utilization).
• Demonstrated ability to lead large, multidisciplinary teams and deliver complex cybersecurity programs.
• Strong communication skills for engaging audiences from C‑Suite executives to technical specialists.
• US Citizenship is required.
• Sponsorship is not eligible for this position.

What Would Be Nice To Have:

• Successfully meeting or exceed Business Development targets in the range of $10M -$15M USD.
• Cybersecurity experience in a 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).
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

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.

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 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