Program Manager-OSW

Dcode

$98K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 3-6 years of relevant experience in consulting, government, defense, or closely related fields.
  • Experience in command, control, and communications modernization for Department of Defense.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage workstreams or small projects with accountability for delivery.
  • Strong analytical skills for solving complex and ambiguous challenges.
  • Capacity to produce high-quality, client-ready deliverables in PowerPoint and Excel.

Responsibilities

  • Lead execution of programs and workstreams, ensuring timely delivery aligned with client objectives.
  • Translate client goals into actionable plans and measurable outcomes.
  • Manage execution in Agile and Scrum frameworks to maintain predictable delivery.
  • Proactively track milestones, communicate status, and ensure team alignment.
  • Anticipate risks and resolve issues to maintain program performance.
  • Design operating models and frameworks to enhance organizational effectiveness.
  • Develop decision-support frameworks for prioritization and implementation.

Benefits

  • Support for professional development and career progression.
  • A collaborative and mission-driven work environment.
  • Opportunities to work on high-impact projects in the defense sector.
  • Flexibility in managing work-life balance.
  • Involvement in innovative technology integration and solutions.
Full Job Description
Role Summary

We are seeking a mission-driven, results-oriented Program Manager to modernize executive command and control communications support for a defense sector client. In this role, you will own delivery of workstreams or small engagements, ensuring outputs are high-quality, actionable, and aligned to mission outcomes. Workstreams may include:
  • Organizational Assessment
  • Authorities Assessment
  • Capability Requirements Determination
  • System Architecture
  • Governance
  • Network Modernization
  • Cross-Organization Process Improvement

Program Managers serve as embedded advisors responsible for planning, execution, stakeholder engagement, and production of implementation artifacts. You will play a key role in implementing Dcode's RAICTM methodology-helping to establish operating models, streamline acquisition pathways, improve decision-making, and enable scalable innovation. This role requires technical acumen, strong execution and the ability to independently navigate ambiguity, solve problems, and maintain trusted client relationships.

Success in this role means delivering measurable results, resolving issues proactively, maintaining strong client alignment, and contributing to solutions that improve speed, efficiency, and impact across the program.

Salary range: $98,000-$130,000 plus bi-annual bonuses

TS-SCI with polygraph is strongly preferred. Eligibility for SAP/SCI clearance is Required

Key Responsibilities
Program Leadership & Delivery
  • Lead delivery of assigned programs, projects, and workstreams, ensuring high-quality, timely execution aligned with client objectives and mission outcomes.
  • Translate client goals into actionable execution plans, priorities, deliverables, and measurable outcomes.
  • Manage execution within Agile and Scrum environments, maintaining predictable delivery through sprint planning, backlog management, and continuous adaptation.
  • Track progress against milestones, proactively communicate status, and ensure alignment across internal teams and client stakeholders.
  • Anticipate risks, resolve issues proactively, and implement mitigation strategies to maintain program performance.
  • Design and improve operating models, governance structures, delivery frameworks, and repeatable processes that increase organizational effectiveness.
  • Develop and apply decision-support frameworks, including prioritization, risk assessment, transition planning, and implementation roadmaps.
  • Define, monitor, and communicate program performance using quantitative and qualitative metrics, including delivery progress, cycle time, throughput, decision velocity, ROI, and mission outcomes.
Client & Mission Success
  • Build trusted relationships with government stakeholders across operational, acquisition, and mission organizations.
  • Serve as a day-to-day advisor and primary point of contact, translating operational challenges and capability gaps into actionable solutions.
  • Convert complex operational, organizational, and technical challenges into clear recommendations, implementation plans, and executive-level products.
  • Continuously collect client feedback and incorporate lessons learned to improve delivery quality, user experience, and mission impact.
Operational & Contract Management
  • Manage program execution in accordance with contract requirements, organizational priorities, and client expectations.
  • Identify delivery, operational, and programmatic risks early, partnering with leadership to implement timely mitigation strategies.
  • Support efforts to remove organizational, policy, acquisition, and operational barriers that impede rapid capability delivery.
  • Implement scalable delivery practices that improve operational efficiency, consistency, and long-term program success.
Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience
  • 3-6 years of relevant experience (consulting, government, defense, or related fields).
  • Experience supporting DoW command, control and communications modernization.
  • Experience owning workstreams or small projects, with demonstrated accountability for delivery.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to structure and solve ambiguous challenges.
  • Experience producing high-quality, client-ready deliverables (PowerPoint, Excel, written products).
  • Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities in fast-paced environments.
  • Familiarity with government acquisition, innovation programs, or technology integration.
  • Experience working in agile or iterative delivery environments.
  • Eligible for TS/SCI access.
Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Enterprise architecture.
  • Organizational design.
  • Workforce development.
  • Government consulting experience.
You'll Excel in This Role If You:
  • Take ownership of delivery and consistently produce high-quality, actionable outputs.
  • Proactively identify and resolve issues before they escalate.
  • Build trust with clients through reliability, responsiveness, and strong communication.
  • Balance structured thinking with practical execution.
  • Thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments with evolving priorities.
Additional Information

We look for resilient hustlers:

Our CEO busted her face on the balance beam in college and got back up... our CRO has knocked on a thousand doors, was rejected 999 times, and kept on knocking... What is your story?

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