Cherokee Nation Businesses

Program Manager - Senior

Cherokee Nation Businesses • $195K — $200K *
Aerospace & Defense
15+ years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 20 years of Army Military Intelligence experience, including recent experience
  • Active Top Secret/SCI clearance
  • Strong analytical and communication skills
  • Experience managing intelligence-related projects
  • Master's degree related to the Program Manager role preferred

Responsibilities

  • Oversee project operations to meet production schedules
  • Manage project costs, schedules, and performance
  • Identify and mitigate risks across various projects
  • Develop structured research and maintain information within security protocols
  • Communicate complex issues clearly and effectively

Benefits

  • Up to a 6% 401(k) company match
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid time off and holidays
  • Professional development and training support
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) availability
Full Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION
Program Manager - Senior

Alexandria, VA, United States (On-site)

Job Title: Program Manager - Senior
Job Code: OPS439
Location: Alexandria, VA
Reports to: Cherokee Federal Operations General Manager
FLSA Status: Exempt
Supervisory: Supervisory and management responsibilities
Prepared Date: 9/24/2026

A government contract requires that this position be restricted to U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents. You must provide documentation that you are a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to qualify.

This position requires an active Top Secret/SCI clearance.

Summary:

The Cherokee Strategic Edge Program Manager is responsible for overseeing project operations to ensure the successful fulfillment of production schedules, efficient utilization of system resources, and the establishment of strong customer relationships. They are accountable for managing project costs, schedules, and performance, as well as identifying and mitigating risks across various projects involving systems, tools, equipment, software, facilities, and related activities. The Program Manager plays a vital role in coordinating and resolving any production-related issues that may arise, ensuring smooth project workflow and operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

  • Demonstrates in-depth knowledge and understanding of the labor category activities required to meet mission requirements.
  • Demonstrates mastery of qualitative and quantitative analytic methodologies and pursue developments in academia or other fields that affect tradecraft methodology.
  • Demonstrates in-depth analysis of analytic operations and knowledge management issues across organizational and intra-IC boundaries and clearly articulates key findings.
  • Demonstrates ability to review analytic products for cogent arguments, tradecraft standards, and adequate support for conclusions; routinely tests analytic rigor of analytic products.
  • Demonstrates working knowledge of the concepts involved in the specific functions outlined in the specified labor category description.
  • Knowledgeable of and demonstrates ability to apply IC and DoD classification guidelines and procedures.
  • Demonstrates ability to use logic when evaluating and synthesizing multiple sources of information.
  • Demonstrates ability to produce timely, logical, and concise analytic reports, documents, assessments, studies, and briefing materials in formats including Microsoft Office tools (e.g.
  • Demonstrates ability to communicate complex issues clearly in a concise and organized manner both verbally and non-verbally; with strong grammar skills.
  • Demonstrates proficiency using Microsoft Office tools.
  • Demonstrates ability to develop structured research including, but not limited to, obtaining, evaluating, organizing, and maintaining information within security and data protocols.
  • Demonstrates ability to recognize nuances and resolve contradictions and inconsistencies in information.
  • Demonstrates working knowledge using complex analytic methodologies, such as structured analytic techniques or alternative approaches, to examine biases, assumptions, and theories to eliminate uncertainty, strengthen analytic arguments, and mitigate surprise.
  • Demonstrates understanding of intelligence collection capabilities and limitations, to include but not limited to, technical sensors / platforms and human intelligence sources related to the labor category.
  • Demonstrates understanding of evaluating collected intelligence reporting, engaging with collection managers, and developing collection requirements.
  • Demonstrates ability to define problems, supervise studies and lead surveys to collect and analyze data to provide advice and recommend solutions.
  • Demonstrates analytic leadership and expertise in identifying, planning, developing, and executing analytic production methodologies, tradecraft and techniques aligned with labor category mission.
  • Demonstrates extensive ability to provide strategic advice, technical guidance and expertise to Defense planners and policymaker (e.g. Undersecretary level or higher).
  • Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Compensation & Benefits:

Starting Salary Range for Program Manager - Senior: $195,000 – $200,000

Benefits That Set Us Apart

When considering your next opportunity, compensation is only part of the picture. We offer a benefits package designed to invest in your future and support your life outside of work.

Highlights include:

  • Up to a 6% 401(k) company match to help you build long-term financial security
  • Paid time off as part of our comprehensive benefits package, so you have the flexibility to rest, recharge, and enjoy what matters most
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus prescription drug coverage
  • Basic life and AD&D insurance, with supplemental life options
  • Short-term and long-term disability coverage
  • Paid holidays
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) options
  • Professional development, training, and certification support
  • Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, and identity theft protection

Because taking care of our employees isn’t just a promise, it’s part of who we are.

Benefits are subject to change and eligibility requirements apply.

In accordance with Virginia’s pay transparency requirements, the estimated annual salary range for this position is $195,000 – $200,000. Actual compensation is based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Minimum 20 years of Army Military Intelligence experience related to the specific labor category with at least a portion of the experience within the last 2 years.
  • Department of Education.
  • Must be a US Citizen.
  • This position requires an active Top Secret/SCI clearance.
  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer; may occasionally require standing or moving about the office for extended periods.
  • Must pass pre-employment qualifications of Cherokee Federal.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • 20+ year Army Officer career preferred
  • Preferred: Master’s degree related to the Program Manager role from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S.

Work Environment:

Work is performed primarily in a climate-controlled environment.

About Cherokee Nation Businesses

Cherokee Nation Businesses is a diversified holding company that manages a range of businesses and investments in various sectors, including gaming, hospitality, aerospace, real estate, technology, healthcare, natural resources, and more. The company is owned by the Cherokee Nation, the largest Native American tribe in the United States. Cherokee Nation Businesses is committed to creating economic opportunities and improving the quality of life for Cherokee citizens and the surrounding communities.
Learn more about Cherokee Nation Businesses
Size
7,000 employees
Industry

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at Cherokee Nation Businesses

More Aerospace & Defense Jobs

Find similar Program Manager - Senior jobs: