Program Manager - Airport Screening Operations

Leidos Holding • $107K — $195K *
Transportation
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7 years of management experience or 3 years as a certified Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (STSO) or higher.
  • Bachelor's degree preferred in Business, Aviation Management, Public Administration, Security Management, or related discipline; 4 years of related experience may substitute for degree.
  • One of the following: formal program/project management certification or at least 5 years of relevant management experience in aviation security or airport operations.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance, with TSA sponsorship available.
  • U.S. citizenship is mandatory for security clearance requirements.
  • Strong understanding of federal contract compliance and operational metrics.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as primary contact for coordination and communication with TSA officials at ROC.
  • Be available around the clock to implement orders and instructions from TSA authorities.
  • Manage all aspects of security screening services to meet TSA performance objectives.
  • Oversee day-to-day management of airport security operations and staffing.
  • Track and report program performance against quality and compliance metrics.
  • Establish and monitor drug and alcohol testing programs for screening personnel.
  • Lead workforce recruitment and retention strategies for screening staff.

Benefits

  • TSA sponsorship available for obtaining a Secret security clearance.
  • Direct involvement in high-impact federal aviation security operations.
  • Leadership role overseeing critical airport security functions.
  • Opportunity for professional growth in federal aviation security compliance.
  • Engagement with TSA best practices and operational strategies.
Full Job Description

Leidos is seeking a Program Manager to lead execution of a TSA Screening Partnership Program (SPP) task order providing airport security screening services at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC). The Program Manager serves as the primary point of contact for all coordination and communication with the TSA Contracting Officer (CO) and Federal Security Director (FSD) or designee, and holds overall responsibility for screening operations, staffing, compliance, quality, and subcontractor management under the task order.


Primary Responsibilities:

  • Serve as the primary point of contact for all coordination and communication with the CO and/or FSD or designee at ROC.
  • Be available 24 hours a day, every day, to receive and implement orders or special instructions from the CO, COR, and/or FSD or designee within the scope of the contract concerning matters affecting the operation, protection, or screening of assigned areas.
  • Manage the total work associated with providing security screening services, meeting TSA's performance objectives for program management, workforce management, equipment maintenance and materials management, reporting, responsiveness, customer service, quality control, subcontractor management, and safety/health compliance.
  • Provide overall leadership for aviation security screening operations, ensuring compliance with contract requirements, TSA regulations, and federal aviation security standards.
  • Direct day-to-day management of screening operations, staffing levels, scheduling, and shift flexibility across passenger and baggage checkpoints.
  • Own the Operational Summary Plan and Report and weekly actuals reporting, briefing the FSD or designee on strategy-vs-execution differences within required timeframes.
  • Monitor and report program performance against the Contractor Performance Management Plan (CPMP) and Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs); respond to Contractor Improvement Reports (CIRs) and submit Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) as needed.
  • Establish and oversee the Contractor's pre-employment, reasonable suspicion, random, and post-accident drug and alcohol testing program for all screening personnel, consistent with 14 CFR Part 120 and 49 CFR Part 40.
  • Direct the organizational structure for the task order, including management of subcontractor personnel/roles and the overall quality control/quality assurance approach for screening operations.
  • Own compliance oversight for the task order's Information Technology Acquisition Review requirements (RMF/ATO, continuous monitoring, incident reporting, PIV/HSPD-12, staff training/NDA tracking), SSI safeguarding, and the Continuity of Operations (COOP) Plan and annual COOP exercise, or delegate to named leads.
  • Lead recruitment/retention strategy for the screening workforce, including staffing risk mitigation for background-check/vetting lead times that cannot be shortened.
  • Coordinate implementation of TSA best practices adopted for ROC (non-uniformed supervisor role, in-queue monitor, Dual-Function Screening staffing, weekly ops readiness meetings, Local Evaluation Testing participation).
  • Serve as point of contact for CPMP measurement and Federal augmentation coordination if staffing shortfalls occur.
  • Be onboarded and available as soon as possible after the start of the task order transition period, and remain available throughout the transition period

Basic Qualifications:

  • 7 years of general management experience, OR at least 3 years as a certified Supervisory Transportation Security Officer (STSO) or higher position.
  • Bachelor's degree in Business, Aviation Management, Public Administration, Security Management, or a related discipline preferred; 4 years of directly related experience is acceptable in lieu of degree.
  • Any ONE of the following:
    • (a) formal certification in program/project management issued by the Federal Government (e.g., FAC-PM, DAWIA, U.S. DHS) or a non-government credential such as PMP; OR
    • (b) at least 5 years of management experience in aviation security, airport operations, or personnel security services (demonstrated supervisory experience in a Federal Government environment is highly desired).
  • Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in an effective, efficient, and professional manner.
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance; TSA will sponsor the Facility/Personnel Security Clearance process.
  • U.S. citizenship required (a Secret clearance requires U.S. citizenship as a matter of federal policy).
  • Strong understanding of federal contract compliance, performance-based contracts (FFP), and operational metrics/CPMP-style measurement.
  • Excellent written/oral communication skills, with demonstrated experience briefing senior government customers (CO/FSD-level).
  • Ability to work flexible hours, including early/late coverage and 24/7 on-call availability, given ROC's extended screening hours

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Prior experience with the TSA Screening Partnership Program (SPP) or a comparable DHS/TSA aviation-security services contract.
  • Experience supporting TSA, DHS, FAA, or other federal aviation/homeland security programs.
  • Experience leading large operational transitions or workforce mobilizations.
  • Experience with DHS 4300A/NIST 800-53 compliance environments or comparable federal IT/cyber compliance oversight.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent.
  • Experience with workforce management systems, operational reporting tools, and performance dashboards.

Clearance/Vetting:

  • Secret security clearance required. TSA sponsors the Facility Security Clearance (FCL); a DD Form 254 must be incorporated into the contract before a Personnel Security Clearance (PCL) may be sought. Clearance must be maintained throughout the life of the contract - loss of, or inability to obtain, clearance may result in removal from the contract.
  • Separately and in addition to the Secret clearance, pre-hire vetting/suitability determination (Entry-on-Duty initiation through TSA Personnel Security) is also required, as it is for all Contractor personnel.
Original Posting:September 25, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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