DCIS Programme Manager

Spektrum; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Spektrum seeks a seasoned project manager to lead CIS/communications initiatives for NATO Allied exercises and missions from Norfolk, VA. You will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage risks, and ensure deliverables meet requirements across complex environments.

The role requires extensive experience with MSP/PRINCE2/PMI, strong change and risk management skills, and the ability to operate in international contexts. On-site work in the Norfolk area with periodic travel will be involved.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in PM of communications or CIS integration using MSP/PRINCE2/PMI.
• 3+ years in risk and issues management in a complex programme environment.
• 3+ years applying change management in a capability programme environment.
• 3+ years utilizing qualitative and quantitative techniques for reviews and audits.
• 2+ years capturing Operational Lessons Identified (LI) and identifying capability gaps.
• 3+ years in deployable CIS or Signals capacity in a SME role.
• 3+ years in NATO or multi-national military environment.

Responsibilities

• Deal with issues/changes using established processes, direction and guidance.
• Capture, assess, and provide situational awareness on changes to the programme and projects.
• Log all programme issues affecting DCIS.
• Identify and sequence activities and milestones.
• Contribute to continuous process quality improvement.
• Review Joint Staff Reports, Management Products, and project specifications for clarity.
• Support capture and interpretation of Operational Lessons Identified (LI) for gaps and CPP alignment.
• Identify risks, assess impacts, and develop mitigation actions.
• Maintain the programme risk log and risk register.
• Perform periodic programme risk assessments and reviews.
• Reconcile reporting databases to reflect project expenditure to stakeholders.
• Record sources and value of information for DCIS capability development.
• Communicate timely, analysed information to stakeholders.

Skills

PM MSP/PRINCE2/PMI

Risk management

Change management

Quality reviews

Operational LI

CIS/Signals capacity

NATO multi-national env

Project management

Education

University degree in project/programme management

Advanced English proficiency

Job description

Spektrum supports apex purchasers (NATO, UN, EU and National Government and Defence) and their Tier 1 supplier ecosystem with a wide range of specialist services. We provide our clients with professional services, specialised aerospace and defence sales, delivery, and operational subject matter expertise. We are looking for personnel to join our team and support key client projects.

Who we are supporting

Allied Command Transformation (ACT) is NATO’s leading agent for change: driving, facilitating, and advocating the continuous improvement of Alliance capabilities to maintain and enhance the military relevance and effectiveness of the Alliance. The main objectives of ACT are: providing appropriate support to NATO missions and operations; leading NATO military transformation; and improving relationships, interaction and practical cooperation with partners, nations and international organisations. ACT therefore leads Alliance concept development, capability development, training and lessons-learned initiatives and provides unfettered military support to policy development within NATO.

The program

Capability Development & Management Support (CDMS)

DCOS Capability Development (CAPDEV) acts as the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation's Director for guidance, direction and coordination of the activities and resources of the Capability Development Directorate.

The Requirements Division will execute all tasks and activities needed to support requirements management for NATO capabilities

The Capability Requirements (CR) Branch will develop the Capability Requirements Brief and recommended courses of action to resolve issues through the life cycle management of requirements using matrixed, cross-functional project-specific Requirements Management teams.

The Requirements Forward Branch (Mons) is responsible for conducting requirements development and management representation and engagement-related functions in Europe.

The Capability Division coordinates the development of capabilities from capability planning through acceptance and then disposal with management entities, NATO Headquarters staff and the NATO Governance Structure

The Capability Forward Branch (Mons) coordinates with ACO, NCIA, NSPA, NATO HQ, territorial Host Nations, and NATO Centres of Excellence (COEs) to support the development of capabilities.

Strategic Plans and Policy (SPP) supports Allied Command Transformation in formalizing military advice to shape future military strategy, political guidance, and other policy documents supporting NATO’s strategic objectives.

Role ID: 27-01-A-LC03

Role Duties and Responsibilities

• Efficiently deal with issues/changes that arise by using established processes, direction and guidance;
• Accurately and comprehensively capture, assess, and provide situational awareness over any changes to the programme and its projects;
• Capture and log all programme issues affecting DCIS;
• Facilitate identification and sequencing of activities and milestones;
• Contribute to a continuous process of quality improvement;
• Thoroughly review Joint Staff Reports, Management Products, and project specifications for clarity and content;
• Utilize qualitative and quantitative techniques to perform programme and project quality reviews and audits.
• Support the Bi-Strategic Commands (Bi-SCs) in capturing and interpreting Operational Lessons Identified (LI) that are derived from current Operations and Exercises, identifying potential gaps in DCIS capability, and where applicable, ensuring that revisions to CPPs remain coherent with the broader delivery of NATO CIS Capability.
• Pro-actively identify risks, assess impacts, and develop responses to decrease the probability of negative events and increase the probability of positive outcomes;
• Establish and maintain the programme risk log based on the Risk Register product;
• Establish a continuous process to identify, estimate, evaluate, and prepare responses to programme risks;
• Perform periodic programme risk assessments and reviews;
• Reconcile relevant reporting database to ensure project expenditure is accurately represented to the stakeholder group;
• Understand, record and exploit the sources and value of information pertaining to DCIS capability development;
• Assist and engage in the communication of timely, analysed and well-presented information to affected stakeholders;
• Implement best practices, enhancing both institutional and C3 Enterprise ability to manage DCIS (and related) knowledge and information;
• Directly supports the DCIS Programme Director and may be required to travel to meetings and conferences for up to 30 days per year;
• Collaborate and support Contractors DCIS C1, C3 and C4 as demand requires; and
• Performs additional tasks as required by the COTR related to the LABOR CATEGORY.

Essential Skills and Experience

• Minimum 5 years in project management of communications or information systems integration, implementation or operation, using MSP, PRINCE2 or PMI methodology.
• Minimum 3 years in managing risk and issues in a complex and interdependent programme environment.
• Minimum 3 years applying change management in a capability programme environment.
• Minimum 3 years utilizing qualitative and quantitative techniques to perform programme and project quality reviews and audits.
• Minimum 2 years capturing and interpreting Operational Lessons Identified (LI), identifying potential gaps in capability.
• Minimum 3 years in deployable CIS or Signals capacity (or closely related) in a subject matter expert role.
• Minimum 3 years in working in NATO or multi-national military environment.

Education

• University degree in project or programme management, electronics engineering, computer science, telecommunications, systems engineering, information systems and technology or an equivalent or closely-related discipline. Substantial experience will be considered in lieu of the equivalent degree with MSP, PRINCE2 or PMI certification.
• Advanced Proficiency in English

Working Location

• Norfolk, VA, USA

Working Policy

• On-Site

Contract Duration

• January 2027 - December 2031

Security Clearance

• Valid National or NATO Secret personal security clearance