Senior Program Manager-OSW

Dcode; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 116,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Dcode is seeking an experienced Senior Program Manager to work with government clients, guiding modernization efforts and scalable solutions across command, control, and communications domains. You will lead daily engagements, navigate complex stakeholder relationships, and drive measurable mission outcomes within a fast-paced defense-focused environment.

The role requires strong leadership, program management discipline, and proven ability to translate strategic goals into structured execution

Qualifications

• 7 years of relevant professional experience leading government-facing programs.
• Experience supporting DoW or federal clients in modernization and transformation.
• Proven ability to lead projects and deliver measurable outcomes in ambiguous environments.
• Experience advising stakeholders and influencing decisions at multiple levels.
• Strong program management knowledge with exposure to Agile methodologies.
• Excellent communication skills and executive briefing ability.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day execution of C3 modernization activities for a defense sector client.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and schedules.
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable plans and metrics.
• Apply Agile and Scrum to deliver iterative, measurable progress.
• Manage governance structures and operating models to improve execution.
• Capture lessons learned to improve delivery and client experience.
• Ensure delivery meets contractual, quality, and financial objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

DoW/federal clients

Agile methodologies

Executive communication

Strategic thinking

Job description

Company Description

Dcode is a team of doers dedicated to bridging the gap between the speed of technology and the federal government. We align people, culture, policies, and processes to get tech in the hands of those who need it most. Operating at the nexus of government leaders, emerging tech companies, and venture capital, we turn roadblocks into results.

Role Summary

In this role, you’ll work closely with government clients to identify needs, scout technologies, integrate solutions, and scale what works. This means building structure, workflows, and processes that overcome legacy constraints to ensure speed, precision, and measurable impact. You will be responsible for leading daily client engagements and navigating complex stakeholder relationships for major workstreams and projects that deliver measurable mission outcomes in support of transformation and modernization for a global communication architecture.

Success in this role means navigating ambiguity, moving with urgency, and producing results that have a tangible mission impact.

This position manages day-to-day execution of all command, control and communications modernization activities for a defense sector executive client while leading Dcode's embedded Rapid Acquisition Integration Cell (RAIC™).

The Senior Program Manager ensures rapid execution, cross-functional integration, sprint planning, stakeholder coordination, and delivery of all contractual products.

Success in this role requires the ability to navigate ambiguity, lead teams, influence senior stakeholders, and translate complex challenges into structured, repeatable solutions that scale.

Salary range: $116,000-$152,000 plus bi-annual bonuses. Current TS-SCI with polygraph is strongly preferred. Eligibility for SAP/SCI clearance is required.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor and partner to senior , , DoW and other government agency stakeholders, providing clear, data-driven recommendations that advance mission outcomes
• Support operational units at the highest levels of government service in identifying command, control, and communication (C3) capability gaps and translating mission needs into actionable, rapidly deployable solutions
• Lead workshops, assessments, and strategic engagements that convert complex operational and technical challenges into practical recommendations
• Facilitate collaboration and alignment across leadership, program offices, operational commands, and cross-functional stakeholders to synchronize priorities, timelines, and objectives
• Support the development of governance structures, operating models, decision frameworks, and operating charters that improve execution and decision-making
• Continuously gather client feedback and incorporate lessons learned to improve delivery, user experience, and mission outcomes

Program Leadership & Delivery

• Lead programs, projects, or major workstreams delivering measurable mission outcomes in high-tempo environments
• Translate strategic objectives into actionable plans, operating models, workflows, repeatable processes, and performance metrics
• Apply Agile and Scrum methodologies to execute work through iterative, sprint-based delivery models that provide measurable progress and continuous adaptation
• Ensure teams remain focused on mission outcomes, operational impact, speed, and ROI rather than outputs alone
• Coordinate closely with Dcode leadership, field experts, and technical contributors, to align priorities, requirements, timelines, and dependencies
• Provide creative approaches across policy, acquisition, finance, organizational design, culture, and processes to improve government agility and innovation
• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies, software development practices, and innovation trends to inform client strategies

Performance, Measurement & Continuous Improvement

• Establish mission-relevant performance measurement frameworks, including leading indicators, ROI metrics, cycle time, throughput, decision velocity, and operational impact
• Develop measurement and tracking mechanisms that evaluate progress, effectiveness, and organizational value
• Continuously improve delivery by capturing lessons learned, refining processes, and standardizing best practices
• Monitor risks, anticipate challenges, and adapt execution based on changing mission requirements and operational realities
• Implement scalable solutions that improve delivery efficiency, organizational resilience, and long-term performance

Contract & Operational Management

• Manage contract execution to ensure compliance with contractual requirements while meeting delivery, quality, profitability, and performance objectives
• Monitor delivery health, identify risks early, and proactively implement mitigation strategies
• Manage project resources and team utilization to optimize delivery effectiveness and financial performance
• Support efforts to remove policy, acquisition, and operational barriers that slow innovation and mission execution
• Ensure operational processes are efficient, repeatable, and scalable across engagements

People Leadership & Team Development

• Onboard, mentor, coach, and develop team members while accelerating time to productivity
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, continuous learning, and client service excellence

Skills And Experience

Required Skills and Experience

• 7 years of relevant professional experience, including leadership of government-facing programs or workstreams
• Experience supporting DoW or federal clients in areas such as deployable communication capabilities, technology modernization, organizational transformation, operational deployment, or program management
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and deliver measurable outcomes in complex, ambiguous environments
• Experience advising stakeholders and influencing decisions at multiple levels of an organization
• Strong understanding of program management principles, with exposure to agile methodologies
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to develop executive-level briefings and decision-ready materials
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on structured thinking and execution

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with DoW acquisition pathways (e.g., OTAs, CSOs, IDIQs)
• Experience working with innovation ecosystems, including startups or emerging technology vendors
• Enterprise modernization experience
• Active TS Clearance with SAP/SCI eligibility

You’ll Excel in This Role If You

• Thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments with evolving priorities
• Balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution
• Proactively identify problems and drive solutions without waiting for direction
• Can translate complex challenges into clear, structured approaches
• Are comfortable leading teams while also delivering independently
• Focus on outcomes and impact rather than activity alone

Equal Opportunity Statement

We provide equal opportunity to all persons without regard to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, family or parental status, national origin, veteran, or disability status. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

We believe diversity is a strength and aim to build an innovative and welcoming culture where people from all backgrounds feel respected and included. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has the tools, resources, and opportunities to excel.