Chief of Staff - Head of Technical Program Management

Company Overview

TENEX is an AI-native, automation-first, built-for-scale Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider. We are a force multiplier for defenders, helping organizations enhance their cybersecurity posture through advanced threat detection, rapid response, and continuous protection. Our team is composed of industry experts with deep experience in cybersecurity, automation and AI-driven solutions. Backed by leading investors, we are rapidly growing and seeking top talent to join our mission of revolutionizing the AI-Native MDR landscape.
We're a fast growing startup backed by industry experts and top tier investors led by Crosspoint Capital Partners and also backed by Shield Capital , DTCP (formerly Deutsche Telekom Capital Partners) , Deepwork Capital , and the Florida Opportunity Fund . Seed round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) . As an early employee, you'll play a meaningful role in defining and building our culture. Get in on the ground floor. We're a small but well-funded team that just raised a substantial round - joining now comes with limited risk and unlimited upside.

As a Chief of Staff - Head of Technical Program Management at TENEX, you will be the force multiplier for our executive and technical teams. You will drive strategic alignment, operational efficiency, and execution across all technical programs, ensuring the successful delivery of our high-growth product roadmap. You will play a crucial role in scaling our engineering organization, overseeing cross-functional initiatives, and acting as a critical bridge between the leadership team and engineering.

Culture is one of the most important things at TENEX.AI-explore our culture deck at culture.tenex.ai to witness how we embody it, prioritizing the irreplaceable collaboration and community of in-person work.

Location: This role will require Monday - Thursday onsite in our San Jose, CA location. WFH Friday.

Job Responsibilities

• Strategic Execution: Partner with the CEO, CTO, and executive team to translate company strategy and vision into actionable technical programs and execution plans.
• Program Leadership: Oversee the entire portfolio of technical programs, including major product releases, platform scaling initiatives, and security operations automation, ensuring timely and high-quality delivery.
• Operational Excellence: Standardize and optimize Technical Program Management processes, tools, and reporting mechanisms to improve predictability, quality, and velocity across the engineering and product organizations.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Act as the primary liaison for complex, cross-functional programs, coordinating efforts between Engineering, Product, Sales, and Customer Success to remove roadblocks and manage dependencies.
• Communications & Reporting: Prepare and present executive-level communications, program status updates, and strategic recommendations to the leadership team and board of directors.
• Team Growth: Define and scale the Technical Program Management function, including hiring, mentoring, and developing a high-performing team of technical program managers.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Program Management & Leadership Expertise

• 10+ years of progressive experience in technical program management, engineering leadership, or a Chief of Staff role within a fast-paced technology company.
• Proven success in defining, launching, and scaling complex software products and engineering programs (preferably SaaS).
• Deep understanding of software development lifecycle (SDLC), Agile methodologies, and tools for project and portfolio management.
• Strong fundamentals in data analysis and reporting, with the ability to define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for engineering and product delivery.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to influence senior executives and technical teams.

Nice-to-have

• Prior work in cybersecurity (MSSP, MDR, SIEM, EDR, or SOAR).
• Experience with financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation for technical departments.
• Familiarity with cloud infrastructure platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Background leading teams in high-growth startups or enterprise SaaS.

Soft Skills

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities.
• Ability to mentor and influence engineering teams.
• Passion for operational efficiency and delivering business value.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Relevant certifications (PMP, PgMP, or advanced certifications in Agile/Scrum) are a plus.

Why Join Us?

• Opportunity to work closely with the executive team, driving the company's highest-priority technical initiatives.
• Collaborate with a talented and innovative team focused on continuously improving security operations.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A culture of growth and development, with opportunities to expand your knowledge in AI, cybersecurity, and strategic business operations.

If you're passionate about scaling organizations, driving execution excellence, and have a background in technical program leadership within the cybersecurity industry, we encourage you to apply!