About the Role

The Strategic Delivery Lead (SDL) for DoW will identify and deliver on some of OpenAI's most complex and high-impact deployments for the U.S. national security enterprise, with a focus on CDAO-led efforts including GenAI.mil, Advana (WDP), and other programs that accelerate DoW adoption of data, analytics, and artificial intelligence across the DoW enterprise.

The role is highly cross-functional and customer-facing: You'll partner with Research, Engineering, Go-to-Market, CDAO, the Military Departments and Services supported by CDAO, and other external stakeholders to align on scope, unblock delivery, and communicate progress at every level, from technical teams to C-suite.

You will own and drive execution of technical delivery workstreams led by internal teams (Forward Deployed Engineers, Researchers, Solutions Architects, Enablement), ensuring clear problem-framing, crisp milestone definitions, proactive risk identification, rapid issue resolution, and effective translation between business objectives and technical solutions, while consistently communicating clear progress and demonstrating tangible value to national security customers. Accountability for contractual milestones and acceptance criteria sits with you.

This is a high-trust, high-autonomy role. Success requires deep program management expertise, executive presence, and a passion for making novel technology deliver real-world value.

This role is based in Washington DC. We use a hybrid work model of 3 days in the office per week. We offer relocation assistance.

In this role, you will:

• Support early relationship-building, ideation, and technical shaping, while working with Account Directors to inform their development of commercial strategy, pricing, deal shape, qualification, and close.
• Serve as the accountable lead for delivering high-impact defense engagements tied to defined contractual milestones and acceptance criteria.
• Act as a key translator between technical teams and business stakeholders, clearly articulating technical progress, risks, requirements, and dependencies in language accessible to both senior executives and technical practitioners.
• Work with CDAO, the Military Departments and Services it supports, defense industry partners, and academia to identify key concepts for national security and defense AI use and then translate them into actionable delivery plans that align technical feasibility with mission impact.
• Serve as a sounding board and thought leader to guide technical direction, anticipate blockers, and align teams proactively.
• Establish best practices around milestone tracking, internal coordination, and delivery operations at scale.
• Lead regular progress reviews with CDAO and supported defense stakeholders, ensuring transparency and confidence in delivery.
• Identify delivery risks early and work cross-functionally to mitigate blockers and maintain program velocity.
• Navigate ambiguity and evolving requirements with composure, helping internal and external teams stay aligned.
• Help shape the future of how OpenAI engages with defense customers through milestone-based delivery programs.

You'll thrive in this role if you:

• Have 10+ years of experience in defense enterprise AI and digital transformation, national security consulting, delivery leadership, or senior program management roles, driving complex technical initiatives across cross-functional teams to deliver results for defense missions.
• Have an active U.S. Government TS/SCI clearance.
• Are willing to travel up to 50% and work on-site with defense customers to build strong relationships and deeply understand their needs.
• Have experience leading organizational transformation initiatives (AI, digital, or business transformation) directly with defense departments, agencies, or military services.
• Have led complex defense and national security programs in enterprise SaaS, AI/ML, consulting, or transformation environments.
• Have a proven track record influencing and shaping customer decision-making at executive/board level and the ability to drive clarity, accountability, and alignment at senior levels.
• Are adept at translating national security mission outcomes into technical execution plans with defined success metrics.
• Have prior experience managing large scale AI/ML, enterprise API-based deployments, enterprise AI adoption and orchestration, including the deployment of applications.
• Are passionate about how AI and AGI can enhance the defense mission and defense institutions.
• Get energy from building partnerships across a varied group of people and organizations, from researchers to operators. Thrive in ambiguous, fast-moving environments and can create clarity and momentum where none yet exists.
• See yourself as a bridge between frontier AI research and real-world mission impact, and are motivated by enabling that connection.
• Care about mission impact and want to help defense customers use AI responsibly and effectively.
• Prior relationships with CDAO are beneficial but not required.