Lead Program Manager

V3GATE LLC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 140,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

V3Gate is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead a portfolio of interrelated federal programs in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment. You will own the full lifecycle—from budgets and staffing to risk, compliance, and quality—while supervising a team of PMs.

This role requires strong DoD contract knowledge (FFP, T&M, CPFF, IDIQ), governance frameworks, and a proven ability to translate complex government requirements into actionable plans.

Qualifications

• Ten+ years leading large interrelated programs in federal environments.
• Proven track record delivering on-budget, on-schedule outcomes.
• Experience supervising multiple project managers and subcontractors.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate cross-functional programs and subcontractors.
• Maintain accountability for budgets, staffing, and risk across programs.
• Lead status reviews with clients and senior management.
• Mentor PMs and drive governance and continuous improvement.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Governance & compliance

Budgeting & EVMS

Contract types (FFP, T&M, CPFF, IDIQ)

DoD security knowledge

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's preferred

PMP certification

PgMP preferred

DoD 8570 IAM II awareness

Tools

MS Project

EVM tools

Risk management tools

Contract management systems

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead and oversee a portfolio of multiple, interrelated projects and programs within a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder federal contracting environment. This role carries primary accountability for the full project management lifecycle from financials, staffing, and subcontractor selection to risk management, compliance, and quality while also supervising and developing a team of project/program managers. The ideal candidate combines strong executive presence and stakeholder-management skills with deep technical and contractual knowledge (FFP, T&M, CPFF, IDIQ) to drive governance, consistency, and continuous improvement across programs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Plan, direct, and coordinate cross-functional team activities (including multiple subcontractors) to manage and implement projects across the entire project management lifecycle.
• Maintain primary accountability and responsibility for all project financials to include costs, operational budgets, staffing requirements, sub-contractors, resources, and risk.
• Identify, assemble, and onboard the appropriate blend of resources to meet project needs and requirements including sub-contractor selection.
• Plan, schedule, monitor, and report on activities related to the project.
• Lead project teams in determining client requirements and translating requirements into operational plans.
• Maintain compliance with contract and project requirements, including those relating to physical and cyber security, regulatory compliance, and user experience.
• Prepare, lead, and document status review meetings among project team members and clients.
• Work with senior management on project proposals, bids, contracts, estimates, and schedules.
• Identify, propose, and develop opportunities for on-contract growth.
• Mentor and advise the customer and subcontractor partner(s) in project management methods, procedures, and activities.
• Control project requirements, scope, and change management issues.
• Coach and counsel members of cross-functional teams to accomplish project goals, to meet established schedules, and resolve technical or operational issues.
• Establish and document metrics for measuring key performance indicators and quality metrics for each assigned project.
• Review, comment, and approve all project deliverables.
• Recommend and utilize appropriate automated systems for management of projects.
• Identify and recommend contingency measures.
• Create responsible and actionable communication plans, ensuring that appropriate information is exchanged among key stakeholders.
• Advise senior management on project management capability and risk.
• Maintain awareness on emerging technologies and project management techniques.

Other Duties: Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Required Skills (In Order of Importance):

• Proven ability to plan, direct, coordinate, and manage multiple interrelated programs concurrently within a complex, multi-stakeholder portfolio.
• Strong supervisory and talent-management skills, including recruiting, assigning, developing, and retaining top project and program management professionals. Experienced at prioritizing effort, directing attention, and practicing effective and progressive delegation.
• Superior facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills at the executive and client leadership level
• Demonstrated experience developing and institutionalizing PMO governance frameworks, including policies, standards, and procedures.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a track record of success in fast-paced, self-directed environments where self-motivation, enthusiasm, and "leaning in" are core competencies
• Strong financial acumen, including portfolio-level budgeting, forecasting, and earned value management (EVM)
• Executive presence and the ability to translate complex business and technology topics into clear, actionable insight for government executives
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and communicate effectively with internal teams, subcontractors, clients, and government stakeholders
• Skilled change leader able to drive consistency and continuous improvement across multiple programs and teams
• Broad command of project and program management frameworks — including waterfall, agile, and hybrid — and the judgment to apply the right approach at scale
• Solid technical understanding of enterprise information technologies sufficient to guide program strategy and technical trade-off discussions
• Employs strong analytical and problem-solving skills to manage shifting priorities, demands and timelines, while solving novel problems with inherent constraints.
• Deep understanding of contract types (FFP, T&M, CPFF, IDIQ) and demonstrated ability to analyze and enforce contractual requirements across all stakeholders
• Ability to quickly learn, understand and apply new technologies.
• Active clearance is not required; however, the candidate must be able to obtain a DoD Secret clearance or its equivalent within 90 days of hire. Preference is given to candidates with some form of existing clearance (including Public Trust Moderate).
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, MIS, Business, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. Educational requirements may be satisfied with an Associate's degree in a related field and four additional years of qualifying experience.
• Ten or more years of specialized experience leading successful projects and programs, including at least five years supervising or managing other project/program managers
• Demonstrated experience managing a portfolio of multiple, interrelated programs simultaneously

Certification(s), Licenses:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) required.
• Program Management Professional (PgMP) preferred.
• Current cybersecurity certification compliant with DoD 8570.1 IAM Level II or higher is preferred.

Physical Demands

Sitting: The Lead Program Manager will spend a significant portion of the day seated at a desk, attending meetings, and working on a computer.

Standing: Occasional standing is required during presentations, meetings, and site visits.

Travel: The Lead Program Manager may be required to travel occasionally to meet with clients, government officials, and other stakeholders.

Mobility: The role may involve moving between different locations within the office or visiting operational sites, which may require walking or standing for extended periods.

You must reside in DC, Maryland or Virginia to be considered for this role.

V3Gate is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If you require accommodation to seek employment with V3Gate, please email [e-mail] or call 1(855) 483-4283. Accommodations are provided on a case-by-case basis.