Strategic Security Relationship Manager, National Security Space

Are you passionate about advancing our Nation's National Security Space mission?

Are you an accomplished security professional who builds trusted executive relationships, influences strategic outcomes, and brings organizations together to solve complex National Security Space challenges?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is seeking a Strategic Security Relationship Manager to serve as the principal security liaison and enterprise integrator for the Space Exploration Sector's National Security Space portfolio.

Reporting to the Managing Executive for Security Services, this highly visible role engages leaders across the U.S. Space Force, Department of the Air Force, Intelligence Community, National Agencies, and APL mission organizations.

Success requires a strategic, hands-on leader who builds trust, ensures security capabilities, builds confidence with stakeholders, and drives mission-enabling solutions through implementation.

As the Strategic Security Relationship Manager, you will contribute in the following critical areas: 

Strategic Security Partnerships

• Serve as APL's principal security relationship manager for National Security Space, cultivating trusted partnerships with senior leaders across the U.S. Space Force, Department of the Air Force, Intelligence Community, National Agencies, and other government organizations.
• Represent SECD in executive engagements, sponsor meetings, program reviews, working groups, and strategic planning activities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to Mission Area leadership and government sponsors, anticipating emerging requirements and aligning APL's security capabilities with mission needs.
• Partner with government security leaders to address complex challenges, strengthen collaboration, and develop solutions that increase sponsor confidence and enable mission success.

Enterprise Security Integration

• Coordinate capabilities across SECD—including SAP, SCI, physical, industrial, technical security, TEMPEST, Security Operations, and Counterintelligence—as well as ITSD and Mission Areas to deliver coordinated enterprise solutions.
• Build partnerships across APL that enable the organization to respond to sponsor requirements as one security enterprise rather than independent organizations.
• Translate sponsor priorities into coordinated action plans by aligning stakeholders, resources, and expertise and driving initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Maintain alignment between customer expectations and enterprise execution throughout strategic initiatives.

Strategic Security Leadership

• Influence outcomes through collaboration, credibility, and trusted relationships, leading complex initiatives across security disciplines, technical organizations, Mission Areas, and government stakeholders.
• Develop coordinated strategies that balance mission enablement, operational effectiveness, sponsor expectations, and risk.
• Anticipate emerging security trends and sponsor priorities, recommending innovative approaches that strengthen APL's position within the National Security Space community.

Mission Enablement & Executive Engagement

• Demonstrate how coordinated security enables research, operational excellence, and mission success while identifying opportunities to strengthen government partnerships.
• Champion solutions that remove organizational barriers, improve efficiency, and ensure security enables—not impedes—mission execution
• Brief the Managing Executive, Mission Area leadership, and government sponsors on strategic initiatives, emerging risks, customer engagement, and opportunities.
• Develop meaningful measures of customer satisfaction, enterprise collaboration, organizational effectiveness, and mission impact.

You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...

• Possess ten or more years of progressively responsible experience supporting National Security Space, SAP, SCI, or complex DoD/Intelligence Community security programs.
• Have comprehensive knowledge of NISPOM, ICDs, SAP requirements, ICD 705, JSIG, RMF, and related government security policy.
• Have proven success building trusted relationships with government security leaders, senior program leadership, and multidisciplinary organizations.
• Possess the ability to influence outcomes and lead complex, cross-organizational initiatives through collaboration, strategic thinking, and credibility rather than direct authority.
• Are experienced translating strategic objectives and sponsor requirements into comprehensive security solutions and driving them through implementation.
• Possess exceptional communication, facilitation, negotiation, strategic planning, project management, and organizational leadership skills.
• Demonstrate sound judgment and the ability to navigate complex organizations and competing priorities
• Hold an active Top Secret security clearance and can ultimately obtain a TS/SCI level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship. 

You 'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...

• Have a Bachelor's degree or higher in Business, Security Management, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, Information Systems, or a related discipline.
• Possess experience working with the United States Space Force, Department of the Air Force, Intelligence Community, National Reconnaissance Office, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or other National Security Space organizations. 
• Are experienced building executive-level partnerships that influenced strategic initiatives involving multiple government organizations.
• Have experience serving as a CPSO, CSSO, SSR, SSO, FSO, or equivalent senior security leadership position.
• Are experienced integrating multiple security disciplines and enterprise organizations—including IT, facilities, engineering, and operational security—to deliver unified mission capabilities.
• Possess experience supporting strategic planning, sponsor engagement, business development, or organizational growth initiatives.
• Have experience leading enterprise process improvement and organizational change initiatives.
• Demonstrate a commitment to mentoring others and building dynamic, high-performing teams.

What Success Looks Like...

Success in this role is measured by the strength of the relationships established, the confidence earned from government sponsors, and the ability to influence enterprise outcomes through collaboration.

The Strategic Security Relationship Manager serves as APL's enterprise security integrator—bringing together security leaders from the United States Space Force, Department of the Air Force, Intelligence Community, National Agencies, Mission Area leadership, SECD, and ITSD to collaboratively solve complex security challenges that no single organization can solve independently.

By connecting people, organizations, and ideas, this individual ensures APL presents a unified security enterprise that is responsive, innovative, and mission-focused. Through trusted relationships, strategic engagement, and relentless execution, the Strategic Security Relationship Manager strengthens sponsor confidence, advances APL's strategic objectives, and reinforces the Laboratory's reputation as the premier trusted research and development partner supporting the National Security Space enterprise.

Why Work at APL?

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.

At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact  View email address on nexxt.com

The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

$72,400 Annually

$222,500 Annually