Program Director

Parsons Corporation; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 158,000 - 284,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons is seeking a Program Director to provide strategic and operational leadership for complex programs. You will oversee the full program lifecycle, collaborate with staff, partners, and funders, and ensure alignment with mission and regulatory requirements.

The role emphasizes budget management, staff supervision, data-informed decision making, and building strong stakeholder relationships in a federal solutions context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• 20+ years in managing programs or service delivery.
• Experience supervising staff and managing budgets.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Active TS/SCI clearance required.
• Ability to analyze program data for decision making.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, development, and delivery of programs aligned with mission.
• Set goals, timelines, and priorities, coordinating activities.
• Oversee day-to-day operations and address challenges.
• Supervise staff and contractors, provide feedback.
• Develop and manage program budgets and resources.
• Track activities and outcomes; use findings to improve services.
• Ensure compliance with policies, regulations, and reporting.
• Build relationships with partners and funders.
• Prepare reports, proposals, and updates for leadership.
• Identify operational risks and propose solutions.

Skills

Program management

Budget management

Staff supervision

Data analysis

Communication

Regulatory compliance

Top Secret clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Software development

Signal processing

AI / ML

Data management tools

Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!

At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.

Job Description:

The Program Director provides strategic and operational leadership for Parsons Corporation’s programs, ensuring they are thoughtfully designed, delivered effectively, and responsive to community needs. This role oversees the full program lifecycle—from planning and staffing to implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement—and manages the resources needed to achieve organizational goals.

The Program Director works closely with staff, leadership, community partners, funders, and participants to maintain high-quality services, measure results, and ensure programs reflect the organization’s mission, values, and policies.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Lead the planning, development, and delivery of the organization’s programs, ensuring they align with its mission and community needs.
• Set program goals, work plans, timelines, and priorities; coordinate activities to keep work on track.
• Oversee day‑to‑day program operations and address challenges as they arise.
• Supervise and support program staff, and contractors, including setting expectations, providing feedback, and coordinating workloads.
• Develop and manage program budgets, monitor spending, and allocate resources responsibly.
• Track program activities and outcomes, gather participant feedback, and use findings to improve services.
• Ensure programs follow organizational policies and applicable contractual, regulatory, and reporting requirements.
• Build and maintain relationships with community partners, funders, service providers, and other stakeholders.
• Prepare program reports, proposals, presentations, and updates for leadership and funders.
• Identify operational risks and recommend solutions to strengthen program delivery.

What Required Skills You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent relevant work experience in lieu of a degree.
• 20 or more years of experience managing programs, projects, or service‑delivery initiatives.
• Experience supervising staff and managing budgets.
• Strong organizational, planning, and time‑management skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Sound judgment and the ability to solve problems and manage competing priorities.
• Ability to track and interpret program data and use it to inform decisions.
• Knowledge of software development, signal processing, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and machine learning.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and community stakeholders.
• Commitment to the organization’s mission and values.
• An active Top Secret clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) access is required.

What Desired Skills You’ll Bring:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in software development, signal processing, artificial intelligence, electronic warfare, and machine learning.
• Experience designing or expanding programs and improving service‑delivery processes.
• Familiarity with program evaluation methods, outcome measurement, and data‑management tools.
• Experience with grant‑funded programs, funder reporting, or proposal development.
• Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and best practices in defense contracting.
• Experience building partnerships across nonprofit, government, or community organizations.

Security Clearance Requirement:

An active Top Secret SCI security clearance is required for this position.

This position is part of our Federal Solutions team.

The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close‑knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now.

Salary Range: $157,500.00 - $283,500.00

Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.

Parsons is an equal opportunity, drug‑free employer committed to diversity in the workplace. Minority/Female/Disabled/Protected Veteran/LGBTQ+.

For more about Parsons, visit parsons.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.