IT Program Manager-Federal

MetaPhase Consulting

$180K — $215K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in technical program management or related fields, particularly within Federal contracting
  • Proven track record managing complex Federal IT programs and enterprise COTS software
  • Experience with custom software modernization and systemic acquisitions
  • Strong familiarity with Agile, DevSecOps practices, and cloud-native technologies
  • Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams across various functions
  • Solid understanding of program governance, risk management, and contract deliverables
  • Practical experience with generative AI tools in professional settings

Responsibilities

  • Lead delivery of USDA Integrated Acquisition System (IAS) while communicating with senior stakeholders
  • Manage daily program operations and coordinate multidisciplinary teams
  • Oversee sustainment and lifecycle of key procurement platforms related to Federal operations
  • Drive modernization of acquisition systems through innovative, agile solutions
  • Translate complex acquisition requirements into manageable modernization initiatives
  • Identify applications of generative AI and other technologies to enhance procurement processes
  • Ensure accountability for program metrics while looking for efficiencies in workflows

Benefits

  • Remote work setup with occasional travel required
  • Hybrid work arrangement, especially for candidates local to the NCR
  • Opportunities to work on cutting-edge technologies including generative AI
  • Engagement with high-level Federal stakeholders and significant programs
  • Professional development in a leading organization focusing on technology modernization
Full Job Description
Description

Role Summary

MetaPhase is seeking a Technical Program Manager with 10+ years of experience leading complex Federal IT programs and multidisciplinary delivery teams. The Program Manager will provide hands-on leadership across the sustainment and modernization of USDA's Integrated Acquisition System (IAS), balancing the operational needs of mission-critical Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) platforms such as Unison PRISM with the rapid delivery of modern, modular, cloud-native software capabilities.

The Program Manager will lead a team of consultants, analysts, engineers, product professionals, and subject matter experts responsible for program execution, operational continuity, modernization, and innovation. The ideal candidate brings experience managing enterprise COTS software products, leading custom software modernization initiatives, and supporting Federal acquisition programs and acquisition system modernizations. The Program Manager should understand the intersection of acquisition operations, technology, policy, and business process transformation and be able to translate Federal acquisition mission needs into executable technical roadmaps and modernization initiatives.

The ideal candidate will also bring experience operating within Agile and DevSecOps delivery environments and applying emerging technologies, including generative AI and AI-enabled development tools, to improve delivery, productivity, and customer outcomes.

What You Will Be Doing

  • Lead overall delivery of the USDA Integrated Acquisition System (IAS) program, serving as the primary interface with senior USDA acquisition and technology stakeholders and providing clear visibility into program performance, priorities, risks, modernization progress, and key decisions.


  • Manage day-to-day program operations, including multidisciplinary delivery teams, integrated schedules, contract financials, deliverables, risks, dependencies, subcontractors, performance metrics, and client communications.


  • Oversee the sustainment and lifecycle management of mission-critical COTS and legacy procurement platforms, including Unison PRISM, Oracle APEX applications, interfaces, reporting services, and workflow utilities, while coordinating vendors, releases, integrations, production support, and operational continuity.


  • Lead modernization of Federal acquisition systems and processes through modular, cloud-native solutions, APIs, automation, modern user experiences, Agile and DevSecOps practices, and iterative delivery approaches that balance modernization objectives with continuity of existing procurement operations.


  • Partner with acquisition, business, and technology stakeholders to translate Federal acquisition requirements, policies, workflows, user needs, and operational pain points into prioritized modernization backlogs, technical roadmaps, business cases, and rapid capability delivery initiatives.


  • Identify and lead opportunities to apply generative AI, agentic workflows, intelligent automation, analytics, and tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Microsoft Copilot to improve acquisition processes, customer solutions, software delivery, program management, and workforce productivity while addressing Federal security, privacy, governance, and compliance requirements.


  • Provide technical and program governance across sustainment, modernization, and innovation activities, ensuring delivery teams maintain accountability for cost, schedule, quality, security, and measurable outcomes while proactively identifying opportunities to streamline acquisition workflows, reduce administrative burden and PALT, and improve the customer experience.


What We Need From You (Required)

  • Minimum of ten (10)+ years of combined experience in technical program management, project management, product delivery, or enterprise IT delivery within the Federal contracting environment


  • Demonstrated experience managing complex Federal IT programs involving both the sustainment of enterprise COTS software products and the modernization or development of custom software solutions


  • Experience managing or supporting enterprise COTS platforms, including vendor management, product lifecycle planning, releases, integrations, production operations, and modernization planning


  • Demonstrated experience leading application modernization initiatives using modern architectures and delivery practices, including cloud-native technologies, APIs, modular application design, Agile delivery, DevSecOps, CI/CD, automated testing, and iterative product development


  • Experience leading multidisciplinary teams that may include software engineers, architects, DevSecOps engineers, business analysts, product managers, UX professionals, security specialists, acquisition subject matter experts, and other functional SMEs


  • Strong understanding of program governance, integrated planning, risk and issue management, financial management, performance measurement, contract deliverables, subcontractor management, and executive-level reporting


  • Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Microsoft Copilot, or comparable technologies in professional delivery environments


  • Federal consulting experience with Federal Civilian agencies, preferably supporting senior-level executives, technology leaders, acquisition organizations, or enterprise mission systems


  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to communicate technical, acquisition, operational, financial, and programmatic information to both executive and technical audiences


  • U.S. Citizenship required - NO EXCEPTIONS


Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience supporting Federal acquisition, procurement, or contract writing programs and associated system modernization initiatives, including an understanding of the Federal acquisition lifecycle, acquisition workforce needs, and the relationship between acquisition policy, business processes, data, and enabling technology


  • Experience managing, implementing, modernizing, or integrating Federal acquisition systems, with direct experience with Unison PRISM strongly preferred


  • Working knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and experience translating Federal acquisition processes, policies, and operational requirements into technology solutions, workflow improvements, or modernization roadmaps


  • Experience leading modernization of legacy Federal acquisition or procurement platforms through incremental delivery approaches that balance operational continuity with the introduction of new capabilities


  • Experience with business process modernization supporting acquisition organizations, including process mapping, workflow redesign, automation, standardization, and efforts to reduce Procurement Action Lead Time (PALT) and administrative burden


  • Experience evaluating, piloting, implementing, or managing AI-enabled customer capabilities, including generative AI, intelligent automation, agentic workflows, AI-assisted software development, analytics, or digital assistants


  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification strongly preferred


Work Location

Remote

Education Level

Minimum Bachelors degree required in a relevant field

Clearance Level

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain USDA suitability.

Work Setup & Travel:

  • Hybrid - Candidates must be local to the NCR. Occasional travel may be required.


Clearance & Education:

  • Must be able to obtain Public Trust
  • Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, IT Management, or related field


Compensation:

  • Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range for this role in the U.S. is 180-215k


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