Federal IT Programs Executive Leader

Unissant; Ashburn (VA); Hybrid; USD 260,000 - 360,000; Full time

Job summary

Unissant, Inc. is seeking a Vice President, Federal IT Programs to lead a large, complex IT portfolio for our client in the Washington, DC metro area.

The ideal candidate will oversee a portfolio spanning software development, modernization, data/AI, and IT operations, managing 150+ personnel and ensuring prime contractor leadership across multiple subcontractors. Qualifications include 15+ years in IT leadership, experience with $80M–$150M+ annual revenue, DHS CBP familiarity, PMP

Qualifications

• 15+ years of leadership in IT systems integration and/or large IT services organizations.
• Direct experience overseeing portfolios or program sets with annual revenue in the $80M–$150M+ range and total contract values nearing $200M.
• Strong background leading complex, multi-contractor environments, including assertive prime leadership over multiple subcontractors.
• Experience leading agile software delivery, application modernization, cloud migration, and data/analytics/AI-enabled solutions.
• Proven ability to build and grow high-performing teams focused on application development, digital modernization, data analytics, and AI, and to mentor senior leaders in these domains.
• Demonstrated success in conflict resolution and turnaround efforts, including re-establishing prime control on challenged programs.
• Proven ability to manage large software development and IT operations efforts, identify risks, and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Working knowledge of Agile (Scrum, SAFe, DevOps/DevSecOps) at scale.
• Knowledge of and experience with Department of Homeland Security customers, missions, and systems, preferably with Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior liaison with the federal customer, owning executive-level communication, priority setting, and issue resolution.
• Provide executive oversight of multiple programs and contracts, covering software development, modernization, cloud, data/analytics/AI, and IT operations/O&M.
• Lead as the prime contractor over multiple subcontractors, setting clear expectations, driving accountability, and ensuring Unissant maintains strategic and delivery control.
• Own portfolio-level program management: schedules, deliverables, staffing, onboarding, subcontract administration, and compliance.
• Lead and develop senior leaders and technical teams, managing resources, succession, and performance across a workforce of 150+ personnel.
• Own financial performance (P&L, budgets, forecasts, margins) and define KPIs and metrics to monitor delivery and report results to Unissant executives and the customer.
• Collaborate with Government CORs, other contractors, and Unissant PMs to ensure milestone delivery, manage risk and issues, and elevate critical items as needed.
• Drive application development, digital modernization, and data/AI initiatives to improve mission outcomes and portfolio efficiency.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand scope, building business cases that clearly articulate value and ROI.
• Oversee clearance submissions, PIV card processing, GFE issuance, and government documentation required for contract execution.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Agile at scale

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in CS/IT/Info Systems/Operations Management or related

MBA/Master's Degree preferred

Tools

AWS

Azure

Job description

Unissant, Inc. is seeking a Vice President, Federal IT Programs to lead a large, complex IT portfolio for our client in the Washington, DC metro area.

The ideal candidate will oversee a portfolio spanning software development, modernization, data/AI, and IT operations, managing 150+ personnel and ensuring prime contractor leadership across multiple subcontractors. Qualifications include 15+ years in IT leadership, experience with $80M–$150M+ annual revenue, DHS CBP familiarity, PMP