Program Manager (CISA HSEEP)

K2 Group, Inc.; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

K2 Group, Inc. is seeking a Program Manager (CISA HSEEP) to lead end-to-end strategy, delivery, and QA for 50+ HSEEP-aligned exercises annually across SLTT and federal sectors.

The PM will oversee budgets, KPIs, and a team of 60+ professionals in a crisis-tested environment. The role requires a senior emergency management leader with PMP certification, strong client relationships, and data-driven decision making to inform national investment priorities for CISA and infrastructure security

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level degree in a relevant field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in emergency management, preparedness, and response/recovery operations.
• Experience managing multi-million dollar federal contracts ($5M–$10M+) and leading large teams (50+ personnel).

Responsibilities

• Oversee contract execution, budgeting ($9M+ ARR), resource allocation, and growth strategies with full compliance to federal standards.
• Serve as primary contact for senior agency leadership and partners.
• Direct design, execution, and evaluation of 50+ annual HSEEP-aligned exercises across sectors.
• Lead exercise initiatives for major events (e.g., NFL Draft, MLB, National Security Special Events).
• Facilitate multi-jurisdictional collaboration and trust-building with local partners.
• Direct qualitative and quantitative analysis of After-Action Products and synthesize data.
• Translate findings into executive briefings and policy recommendations.
• Lead a team of 60+ specialists and contractors through coaching and development.

Skills

Emergency management leadership

Client relationship management

Strategic data analytics

Operational resilience

HSEEP familiarity

Program management

Team leadership

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Homeland Security, or related

Master's degree preferred

Tools

PMP certification

HSEEP knowledge

Job description

Program Manager (CISA HSEEP)

K2 Group is seeking a Program Manager (PM) to serve as the senior executive leader for a federal contract supporting the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Infrastructure Security Exercise Program. The PM is responsible for overseeing the end-to-end strategy, delivery, and quality assurance of 50+ Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)-aligned exercises annually across the nation's critical infrastructure sectors. This role requires a crisis-tested emergency management leader skilled in client relationship management, team rebuilding, strategic data analytics, and operational resilience across state, local, tribal, territorial (SLTT), and federal jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee contract execution, budgeting ($9M+ ARR), resource allocation, and growth strategies while ensuring full compliance with federal acquisition standards and CISA key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Serve as the primary point of contact for senior CISA leadership, federal agency leads, and public/private critical infrastructure partners.
• Direct the design, execution, and evaluation of 50+ annual HSEEP-compliant exercises ranging from tabletops to full-scale exercises across diverse sectors (e.g., sports/venue security, healthcare, public water systems, emergency services, and election infrastructure).
• Lead exercise initiatives for major national and international special events (e.g., NFL Draft, MLB, and National Security Special Events).
• Facilitate multi-jurisdictional collaboration by meeting local partners on their turf to earn trust and build operational alignment.
• Direct complex qualitative and quantitative analysis of After-Action Products (AAPs), synthesizing data across multi-year national exercise cycles.
• Translate findings into executive briefings, policy recommendations, and strategic threat insights (e.g., election security, industrial control systems, and healthcare resilience) used by CISA leadership to inform national investment priorities.
• Lead a team of 60+ emergency management specialists, exercise analysts, and contractors through individual-focused coaching, task-based competency frameworks, and continuous professional development.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Homeland Security, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
• 12+ years of progressive leadership experience in emergency management, preparedness, and response/recovery operations.
• 5+ years managing multi-million dollar federal contracts ($5M–$10M+) and leading large teams (50+ personnel).
• Direct experience planning and delivering large-scale exercises under the Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) guidelines.
• Deep knowledge of the POETE (Planning, Organization, Equipment, Training, Exercise) framework.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certified.
• HSEEP Certified.

Clearance

• Secret Clearance (required)
• TS/SCI (desired)