Defense IO Program Lead for US Government Engagements

Zinc-Network; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Zinc Network is seeking a Program Lead to own delivery and relationship management on a multi-year US government defense IO program, serving as the single point of accountability for Zinc under the subcontract. Lead a hybrid team across US/UK, bridging private-sector strategy with US defense IO experience.

The role is based in Washington, DC, Tampa, FL, or Stuttgart, with hybrid work and travel to client sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Experience in strategic communications, IO, or a related discipline.
• Experience managing a client or prime contractor relationship in a US federal contracting context.
• Working knowledge of US defense information operations practice and related frameworks.
• Active or readily reinstated US security clearance (TS/SCI preferred).
• US citizenship is required for personnel on this program.
• Experience building and leading teams, including recruitment and people management.
• Strong program and delivery management skills, including budget and labor-hour tracking within a federal contracting structure.
• Excellent relationship-management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Own the day-to-day relationship with the prime contractor and government customer.
• Lead delivery across all Zinc-resourced workstreams to meet requirements, quality, and deadlines.
• Translate requirements into practical delivery plans across US and UK teams.
• Build and lead a US-based delivery team, including recruitment and day-to-day people management.
• Monitor budget and labor-hour usage under subcontract terms, escalate risks.
• Maintain fluency in US defense IO practice and terminology to ensure credibility.
• Identify growth opportunities within the program and broader prime relationship.
• Ensure compliance with contractual, security, and clearance requirements.

Skills

Strategic communications

Delivery management

Program leadership

Relationship management

US defense IO

Budget & resource planning

Team building

Security clearance process

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Job description

Zinc Network is seeking a Program Lead to own delivery and relationship management on a multi-year US government defense IO program, serving as the single point of accountability for Zinc under the subcontract. Lead a hybrid team across US/UK, bridging private-sector strategy with US defense IO experience.

The role is based in Washington, DC, Tampa, FL, or Stuttgart, with hybrid work and travel to client sites.