Program Manager (Senior Consultant)

What we are looking for:

Partner Forces is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead a high-visibility international affairs program supporting a federal national security client. This role sits at the intersection of international engagement, national security, cybersecurity, and critical infrastructure resilience. We're looking for someone who brings meaningful international affairs experience, a strong understanding of the federal contracting environment, and demonstrated success managing government contracts as a prime contractor. You'll be responsible for contract performance, client relationships, and leading a team that supports complex international initiatives and senior government priorities.

Just as important as your experience is how you lead. At Partner Forces, we believe great leaders develop great people. We're looking for someone who fully embraces our apprenticeship model, invests in developing junior talent, and creates opportunities for others to take ownership and grow. This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who brings confidence without ego, takes accountability seriously, and believes the team's success comes first.

What you'll do:

Lead Contract and Program Execution

• Serve as the primary Program Manager for a federal international affairs program, with accountability for contract performance, staffing, financial management, deliverables, and quality.
• Manage all aspects of prime contractor responsibilities, including government client relationships, subcontractor coordination, compliance, risk management, and program reporting.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for government contracting and program leadership.
• Oversee program budgets, funding, labor utilization, schedules, and performance metrics.
• Develop and maintain program management plans, staffing plans, monthly status reports, and other required deliverables.
• Anticipate challenges, resolve issues proactively, and ensure consistent, high-quality delivery.

Support International Affairs and Mission Priorities

• Work closely with government leadership to understand international engagement priorities and translate strategic objectives into actionable program activities.
• Oversee a team supporting bilateral and multilateral engagements, international partnerships, interagency coordination, and senior-level government initiatives.
• Ensure effective support for international engagements, executive briefings, policy coordination, travel, and operational activities.
• Bring an understanding of international affairs, national security priorities, and the complexities of working across U.S. government agencies and international stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen operations, improve processes, and deliver greater value to the client.

Lead, Coach, and Develop the Team

• Build and lead a high-performing team of analysts, consultants, and subject matter experts.
• Fully embrace Partner Forces' apprenticeship model by actively coaching junior staff, sharing knowledge, and creating meaningful opportunities for professional growth.
• Delegate thoughtfully, giving team members ownership while providing the support and guidance they need to succeed.
• Foster a collaborative, low-ego environment where ideas are welcomed, feedback is encouraged, and success is shared.
• Balance client delivery expectations with a genuine commitment to employee development.

Qualifications

• Must be a US citizen
• Must have an active TS/SCI
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant professional experience.
• Bachelor's degree in international relations, political science, public policy, business administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated professional experience in international affairs, international engagement, foreign policy, or international security.
• Direct experience managing federal government contracts as a prime contractor, including financial management, staffing, contract compliance, and client relationships.
• Experience leading federal consulting teams and managing relationships with senior government stakeholders.
• Demonstrated commitment to coaching, mentoring, and developing junior professionals.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience supporting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) , particularly in international affairs, stakeholder engagement, policy, or national security programs.
• Experience working with the Department of State, U.S. embassies, interagency partners, foreign governments, or international organizations.

The Kind of Leader Who Will Thrive Here

We're looking for someone who knows how to lead without making it about themselves. Someone who can confidently manage a complex federal contract, build trusted client relationships, and roll up their sleeves when the team needs support. You'll thrive here if you take ownership, share credit generously, welcome feedback, and genuinely enjoy helping others grow. You believe in giving people opportunities to stretch, even when it would be easier to do the work yourself. At Partner Forces, we value leaders who bring strong judgment, humility, curiosity, and a team-first mindset. We want someone who will deliver for our clients while investing in the people who make that delivery possible.

Next Steps:

If your application looks like a match, someone from our People Operations team will reach out to schedule a phone screening. During this conversation, we will determine if the current or future position aligns with your experience and skills. If things go well, from there you'll meet with members from the project team, including the hiring manager and teammates, and possibly be asked to submit a writing assessment to showcase your practical knowledge. If we find you are a match, you'll get a call offering you the role. While we wish we could hire every great candidate who comes our way, the reality is that we can't. If you are not selected, we will be sure to connect with you and let you know so you can move on with your search. We will also keep your resume for future needs.

Salary Range & Compensation Philosophy

The anticipated salary range for this position is $120,000 - $160,000. At Partner Forces, we recognize that every candidate brings a unique combination of skills, experiences, and qualifications. Compensation decisions consider several factors, including years of relevant experience, specialized expertise, clearance level, and the requirements of the role. We also believe compensation is a starting point, not a finish line. We're committed to recognizing contributions, rewarding strong performance, and creating opportunities for continued growth as our employees develop their skills and careers at Partner Forces.