Program Specialist

Leidos is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive Program Specialist to support staffing operations for a large IT program. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator and relationship builder who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can effectively manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. This highly visible position plays a critical role in identifying, evaluating, and securing qualified professionals to support current and future program requirements. The successful candidate will collaborate with program leadership, Talent Acquisition, subcontractor teammates, and internal stakeholders to develop and execute effective staffing strategies that support mission success and program profitability. The successful candidate will be someone who takes ownership, anticipates needs, communicates proactively, and pays close attention to the details that drive successful staffing outcomes. This individual must be comfortable engaging with senior leadership, negotiating sensitive staffing matters, and making informed recommendations in a dynamic program environment. Key Responsibilities Staffing Strategy and Candidate Management Lead and coordinate staffing activities for a large IT program with multiple Customers including pipeline opportunities and awarded and funded positions. Identify, source, interview, and evaluate internal and external candidates to determine qualifications, technical capabilities, and alignment with program requirements. Develop and execute staffing strategies in collaboration with program leadership and the Acquisition Response Team to identify the most qualified candidates for open positions. Schedule and conduct Technical Exchange Meetings (TEMs) for awarded and funded positions. Maintain accurate and organized staffing information, track candidate status, and communicate staffing priorities, progress, and potential challenges. Work closely with Leidos Program Managers and Talent Acquisition to anticipate staffing requirements, identify qualified resources, and fill open positions efficiently. Program Collaboration and Coordination Serve as a key staffing representative for Leidos and the VANGUARD program when engaging internal candidates, external candidates, and subcontractor teammates. Collaborate with the ART to support proposals, staffing matrices, candidate selection strategies, and staffing-related proposal activities. Lead weekly subcontractor staffing meetings, communicate priorities, track action items, and ensure timely follow-through. Coordinate staffing activities across multiple stakeholders to ensure alignment with program requirements, schedules, and business objectives. Partner with onsite PMO to develop a strong understanding of the Customer space to aid in staffing success. This is achieved through a regular cadence of onsite support. Establish and maintain productive working relationships with program leadership, subcontractor partners, recruiting teams, and other key stakeholders. Financial Management and Business Considerations Coordinate with Subcontract Administration (SCA) teams to evaluate and negotiate subcontractor candidate rates. Support salary and rate negotiations while balancing candidate expectations, market competitiveness, and program financial objectives. Evaluate staffing costs and assessing position-level profitability to support informed program and staffing decisions. Exercise exceptional discretion and confidentiality when handling sensitive compensation, salary, subcontractor rate, and program profitability information. Required Qualifications Must have 8 years and a Bachelor Degree OR 12 years of experience in lieu of a degree TS/SCI Clearance - Active within the last year Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple staffing requirements, competing priorities, and time-sensitive activities. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally and confidently with candidates, subcontractor partners, teammates, and senior management. Demonstrated ability to build relationships, collaborate across organizational boundaries, and influence decisions through effective communication. Experience coordinating recruiting, staffing, resource management, or workforce planning activities. Understanding of labor rates, salary negotiations, pricing considerations, and program profitability. Experience managing staffing requirements across multiple concurrent projects or task orders. Strong interviewing and candidate assessment skills, with the ability to evaluate qualifications and make sound staffing recommendations. Ability to negotiate professionally and effectively while considering both staffing requirements and business objectives. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate costs and understand financial implications. Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and follow through on commitments. Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information. Ability to adapt quickly to changing requirements and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Desired Qualifications Experience supporting staffing activities within a government contracting environment specifically Vanguard. Familiarity with proposal development, staffing matrices, labor categories, and candidate qualification assessments. If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares. Description Leidos is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive Program Specialist to support staffing operations for a large IT program. The ideal candidate is a strong communicator and relationship builder who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and can effectively manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail. This highly visible position plays a critical role in identifying, evaluating, and securing qualified professionals to support current and future program requirements. The successful candidate will collaborate with program leadership, Talent Acquisition, subcontractor teammates, and internal stakeholders to develop and execute effective staffing strategies that support mission success and program profitability. The successful candidate will be someone who takes ownership, anticipates needs, communicates proactively, and pays close attention to the details that drive successful staffing outcomes. This individual must be comfortable engaging with senior leadership, negotiating sensitive staffing matters, and making informed recommendations in a dynamic program environment. Key Responsibilities Staffing Strategy and Candidate Management Lead and coordinate staffing activities for a large IT program with multiple Customers including pipeline opportunities and awarded and funded positions. Identify, source, interview, and evaluate internal and external candidates to determine qualifications, technical capabilities, and alignment with program requirements. Develop and execute staffing strategies in collaboration with program leadership and the Acquisition Response Team to identify the most qualified candidates for open positions. Schedule and conduct Technical Exchange Meetings (TEMs) for awarded and funded positions. Maintain accurate and organized staffing information, track candidate status, and communicate staffing priorities, progress, and potential challenges. Work closely with Leidos Program Managers and Talent Acquisition to anticipate staffing requirements, identify qualified resources, and fill open positions efficiently. Program Collaboration and Coordination Serve as a key staffing representative for Leidos and the VANGUARD program when engaging internal candidates, external candidates, and subcontractor teammates. Collaborate with the ART to support proposals, staffing matrices, candidate selection strategies, and staffing-related proposal activities. Lead weekly subcontractor staffing meetings, communicate priorities, track action items, and ensure timely follow-through. Coordinate staffing activities across multiple stakeholders to ensure alignment with program requirements, schedules, and business objectives. Partner with onsite PMO to develop a strong understanding of the Customer space to aid in staffing success. This is achieved through a regular cadence of onsite support. Establish and maintain productive working relationships with program leadership, subcontractor partners, recruiting teams, and other key stakeholders. Financial Management and Business Considerations Coordinate with Subcontract Administration (SCA) teams to evaluate and negotiate subcontractor candidate rates. Support salary and rate negotiations while balancing candidate expectations, market competitiveness, and program financial objectives. Evaluate staffing costs and assessing position-level profitability to support informed program and staffing decisions. Exercise exceptional discretion and confidentiality when handling sensitive compensation, salary, subcontractor rate, and program profitability information. Required Qualifications Must have 8 years and a Bachelor Degree OR 12 years of experience in lieu of a degree TS/SCI Clearance - Active within the last year Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple staffing requirements, competing priorities, and time-sensitive activities. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally and confidently with candidates, subcontractor partners, teammates, and senior management. Demonstrated ability to build relationships, collaborate across organizational boundaries, and influence decisions through effective communication. Experience coordinating recruiting, staffing, resource management, or workforce planning activities. Understanding of labor rates, salary negotiations, pricing considerations, and program profitability. Experience managing staffing requirements across multiple concurrent projects or task orders. Strong interviewing and candidate assessment skills, with the ability to evaluate qualifications and make sound staffing recommendations. Ability to negotiate professionally and effectively while considering both staffing requirements and business objectives. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to evaluate costs and understand financial implications. Proven ability to work independently, take initiative, exercise sound judgment, and follow through on commitments. Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and discretion when handling confidential or sensitive information. Ability to adapt quickly to changing requirements and maintain accuracy in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Desired Qualifications Experience supporting staffing activities within a government contracting environment specifically Vanguard. Familiarity with proposal development, staffing matrices, labor categories, and candidate qualification assessments. If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares. Original Posting: October 29, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $92,300.00 - $166,850.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law. About Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit Pay and Benefits Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at Securing Your Data Commitment to Non-Discrimination All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws. #Remote #J-18808-Ljbffr