Vice President, Federal IT Programs

Unissant; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 210,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

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

The role requires executive oversight of software development, modernization, cloud, data/analytics, and IT operations, with 150+ personnel under management. The ideal candidate will have 15+ years in IT leadership, strong DHS CBP familiarity, and proven success delivering multi‑contractor programs with robust P&L accountability.

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 with prime leadership across 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 and mentor senior leaders in these domains.
• Demonstrated success in conflict resolution and turnaround efforts, including re-establishing prime control on challenged programs.
• Knowledge of Agile (Scrum, SAFe, DevOps/DevSecOps) at scale.
• Experience with DHS CBP or related federal customers preferred.

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 expectations, driving accountability, and ensuring strategic 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 for 150+ personnel.
• Own financial performance (P&L, budgets, forecasts, margins) and define KPIs and metrics to monitor delivery and report results.
• Collaborate with Government CORs, other contractors, and Unissant PMs to ensure milestone delivery and risk management.
• Drive application development, digital modernization, and data/AI initiatives to improve mission outcomes.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand scope with clear ROI.
• Oversee clearance submissions and government documentation for contract execution.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Agile methodologies

Cloud migration

Data analytics

AI capabilities

Stakeholder communication

Contract management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

MBA

Job description

Unissant, Inc. delivers innovative capabilities to the agencies that keep our nation healthy and safe. We apply our domain expertise, data acumen, and technology know-how to achieve breakthrough results for our clients. Working collaboratively, we advance missions and careers through a focus on honesty, integrity, and dependability. We continuously look for talent, excited to join that effort. To learn more about our exciting organization, please visit us at www.unissant.com.

We are 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 has deep experience overseeing large federal IT portfolios (including application development, digital modernization, data/analytics, AI, and IT operations), with proven success managing annual revenue in the $80M–$150M+ range, leading organizations of 150+ personnel, and asserting strong prime contractor leadership across multiple subcontractors.

Essential Duties and 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.

Work Experience and Job Skills:

• 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)

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree required; preferred fields include Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Operations Management, or related areas.


• MBA/Master's Degree in a relevant field preferred.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required.


• Agile certification (e.g., CSM, SAFe) preferred.


• Relevant technical/cloud certifications (e.g., AWS, Azure) are a plus.

Communication Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; comfortable presenting to executive and senior government audiences.


• Ability to translate complex technical and strategic information for non‑technical stakeholders.


• Strong influencing skills in matrixed and multi‑partner environments.

Clearance Requirements:

• Existing DHS CBP clearance and/or TS/SCI is required.

Work Location:

• 5 days a week on‑site in the Northern Virginia / Washington, DC metro area, with occasional travel to other customer or Unissant HQ facility.

Environmental Requirements:

• Routine office environment.


• May be required to lift up to ten (10) pounds.


• Flexible in working extended hours.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Unissant management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Please note: Candidate(s) will be required to go through pre‑employment screening.

Unissant, Inc. is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE; M/F/Disability/Vets).