Mission Manager

EMPLOYER IS A CONTRACTOR FOR THE U.S. GOVERNMENT. THIS POSITION WILL REQUIRE U.S. CITIZENSHIP. This position requires an active Secret Clearance. Role Description: As a Mission Manager at Defense Unicorns, you will lead the design, coordination, and execution of multiple large-scale, community-facing hackathon events throughout the year. This is not a traditional program management role. We are looking for someone who is energized by bringing people together, thinks creatively about problem-solving at scale, and wants to make a tangible impact across the Department of War innovation ecosystem. You will serve as the primary point of contact for government mission heroes, industry partners, and vendors, while leading a small internal team and managing partner relationships. You will own the full lifecycle of each event, from planning through execution and stakeholder communication, ensuring that every hackathon reflects Defense Unicorns' values and delivers meaningful mission outcomes. Responsibilities Prime Contractor and Mission Hero Relationship Serve as Defense Unicorns' primary point of contact with government mission heroes across the DoW Own the prime contractor relationship, ensuring program commitments, compliance, and performance expectations are met Build and sustain productive working relationships across government, subcontractors, and the broader DoW innovation community Represent Defense Unicorns professionally and authentically in all external engagements Program and Event Execution Own end-to-end planning and execution of multiple hackathon events per year Coordinate logistics, timelines, and deliverables across internal staff, government stakeholders, and subcontractors Translate mission requirements and stakeholder goals into actionable event plans and clear team direction Continuously improve the hackathon model based on participant feedback and program outcomes Team Leadership Lead a small internal Defense Unicorns team while managing a network of subcontractors supporting event delivery Own subcontractor relationships, including scoping, performance management, and accountability Foster a collaborative, high-energy team environment aligned with Defense Unicorns' culture and values Required Qualifications Experience managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs or events in a government or defense-adjacent environment Experience serving in a prime contractor role, including managing subcontractor relationships and contract compliance Demonstrated ability to coordinate across government, industry, and subcontractor partners simultaneously Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with confidence engaging senior government and industry stakeholders A proactive, creative mindset with a track record of building something that didn't exist before Preferred Qualifications Experience planning or executing large-scale community or innovation events such as hackathons, integration events, or exercises Familiarity with the DoW innovation ecosystem, including programs, procurement, and mission priorities Background in or exposure to DevSecOps, platform engineering, or software delivery Experience managing subcontractors and coordinating multi-party delivery Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-moving environments where no two events are the same Travel Travel is expected multiple times per year to support event execution and stakeholder engagement, primarily within the continental United States, but occasionally OCONUS as required. The listed responsibilities are not exhaustive and additional responsibilities may be assigned based on the evolving needs of the organization. We are seeking a dynamic individual who is able to adapt and take on new responsibilities as they arise. Full compensation packages are based on candidate experience. Compensation ranges are established using national benchmarking data and apply across all geographic locations within the United States. Remote - USA $118,150 — $159,850 USD. Benefits Health Medical/Dental/Vision Premiums are 100% Company Paid Health Savings Account Life Insurance Disability Insurance Financial 401k Retirement Plan Company Stock Options Home Office Budget Leave We offer all full-time Unicorns Flexible Time Off (FTO) plus all Federal Holidays, one week for Thanksgiving, and two weeks for Christmas and New Year’s Paid Parental Leave Learning Reimbursement for approved trainings/subscriptions Conferences (travel, lodging, and fees) Don’t have all the preferred experience or qualifications? Studies show that underrepresented groups like women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they don't meet every requirement listed. At Defense Unicorns, we're committed to diversity. If you're enthusiastic about the role but don't match every criteria, we encourage you to apply. You could be the perfect fit for this or another role! Defense Unicorns is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. #J-18808-Ljbffr