Senior Program Manager

Senior Program Manager

Company Overview: At ValidaTek, we modernize and optimize IT services to solve some of the most critical challenges facing federal civilian and defense agencies. From customers to partners to top-talent employees, ValidaTek puts people first, empowering them to exceed expectations and transform government organizations. Our success starts and ends with our people, so we built a company where great people can do great things, with the resources and autonomy to make decisions that transform organizations. We operate as one team of diverse people, united by a passion for continuous growth and optimization. Our commitment to quality and performance optimization is the reason why our IT Service Projects and New Development Projects have been appraised at CMMI Maturity Level 5, positioning us as one of a handful of elite companies to receive the highest form of third-party validation.

Summary: ValidaTek is seeking a highly experienced Senior Program Manager to lead and oversee a complex program supporting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This role will be responsible for driving program execution, governance, performance management, and stakeholder engagement across multiple workstreams in a dynamic federal environment. The Senior Program Manager will provide strategic leadership, ensure alignment with USCIS mission objectives, and maintain compliance with federal standards while delivering measurable outcomes in support of immigration services modernization and operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Program Leadership & Delivery
• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of a large-scale federal program supporting USCIS mission systems and operational initiatives
• Oversee multiple integrated projects and workstreams, ensuring alignment with program objectives, timelines, and budgets
• Establish and maintain program governance structures, reporting cadences, and decision-making frameworks
• Drive program performance using data-driven metrics, KPIs, and earned value management (EVM) where applicable
• PMO Management
• Stand up and manage a high-performing Program Management Office (PMO) supporting USCIS programs
• Define and enforce standardized project management processes, templates, and best practices across all teams
• Provide portfolio-level visibility into program health, risks, dependencies, and performance trends
• Ensure compliance with federal acquisition regulations (FAR), DHS policies, and USCIS operational requirements
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Serve as the primary interface with USCIS leadership, CORs, and key government stakeholders
• Lead executive-level briefings, program reviews, and strategic planning sessions
• Build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure mission success
• Translate complex technical and operational concepts into clear, actionable insights for government leadership
• Agile & Delivery Excellence
• Champion Agile and hybrid delivery methodologies across program teams
• Facilitate backlog prioritization, release planning, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Ensure teams are effectively utilizing Agile frameworks (Scrum, SAFe, or hybrid models) to deliver incremental value
• Risk & Performance Management
• Identify, track, and mitigate program-level risks, issues, and dependencies
• Implement proactive risk management and escalation strategies
• Monitor program financials, resource utilization, and performance metrics
• Drive corrective actions to ensure program success and contract compliance

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Information Technology, or related field. Master's degree - preferred
• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in program and project management
• At least 5 years managing large-scale, complex federal programs or initiatives
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust or higher clearance as required by USCIS
• Demonstrated experience supporting DHS or USCIS programs - strongly preferred
• Proven experience operating within a PMO structure and managing multi-project portfolios
• Project Management Professional (PMP), Program Management Professional (PgMP), or equivalent - required
• Agile certification (Scrum, SAFe, or equivalent) - preferred

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience supporting immigration, case management, or federal citizen services programs
• Familiarity with USCIS systems, processes, or mission operations
• Experience with digital transformation, cloud modernization, or enterprise IT programs within the federal space
• Knowledge of DHS policies, compliance frameworks, and security requirements

Salary Disclosure: Actual salary will be based on a variety of factors including but not limited to experience, geographic location, contract affordability, internal equity, education, and certifications. The upper end of the salary range may be reserved for individuals who have demonstrated tenure with the company, seniority, and proven excellent performance. This includes factors such as education, certifications, and extensive/unique experience beyond what is required.

EEO Statement: ValidaTek is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Applicants who are selected for employment will be required to verify authorization to work in the United States. Offers of employment will be contingent upon passing a post-offer background check.