Cyber Operations Program Manager

About the role

Koniag Emerging Technologies (KET), a Koniag Government Services (KGS) company, is seeking a Cyber Operations Program Manager to support the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO).

Responsibilities

• Provide executive-level leadership and oversight for multi-million-dollar programs supporting the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC), with emphasis on AI/ML and advanced decision-support programs.
• Lead program planning, execution, and sustainment across multiple contracts, ensuring compliance with performance objectives, security requirements, and strategic mission goals.
• Serve as the primary interface with Government leadership, Combatant Commands, and interagency stakeholders on programmatic, technical, and operational issues.
• Direct and manage AI/ML lifecycle activities including requirements development, model deployment, integration, retraining, sustainment, and explainability monitoring.
• Oversee cross-functional teams (researchers, analysts, engineers, cyber specialists, and technical writers) ensuring delivery of classified and unclassified products under strict deadlines.
• Develop and enforce program governance frameworks including reporting, milestones, deliverable reviews, and contract performance metrics.
• Ensure program alignment with DoD AI Adoption Frameworks, RMF, DoD 8140/8570, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), and evolving IC standards.
• Drive risk management, mitigation planning, and resource allocation, ensuring maximum operational effectiveness and minimal disruption.
• Conduct strategic program analysis to support CDAO mission and national security priorities.
• Provide executive briefings to senior DoD and IC leadership, synthesizing technical details into actionable recommendations.
• Mentor and develop emerging program managers and team leads, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and innovation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical field is required.
• Master’s Degree in a relevant technical or business discipline is preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of progressively higher leadership responsibility in staff support, consulting, or large-scale IT environment management.
• At least 5 years of direct experience in data, AI, machine learning, or cyber operations.
• Demonstrated experience working in complex DoD IT environments of a size and scope comparable to DISA or enterprise-level programs.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of IC and DoW AI/ML and Cyber mission priorities, classification protocols, and program protection requirements.
• Knowledge of AI/ML concepts including training pipelines, model lifecycle management, deployment, explainability, and adversarial resilience.
• Proficiency in program management methodologies (Agile, DevSecOps).
• Exceptional ability to craft and deliver executive-level briefings, strategic reports, and decision-support documentation.
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and building partnerships across government, industry, and academia.
• Strategic Thinking: Exceptional ability to synthesize complex Cyber/AI/ML technical details into executive-level briefings, white papers, and decision-support documentation.
• Technical Proficiency: Deep understanding of AI/ML concepts, training pipelines, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA), and cloud-native design patterns.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex technical requirements into actionable findings for non-technical audiences.
• Prioritized managing large, diverse, and geographically dispersed teams in high-stakes environments.
• Able to manage and prioritize competing mission requirements under tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical and strategic-thinking skills; able to translate complex technical topics into operational outcomes.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to engage senior DoW/IC leaders.
• Able to anticipate emerging threats, technologies, and mission needs to position programs for long-term success.

Skills

• DoD 8140/8570 Compliance: Baseline certification such as CISSP or equivalent IAM Level II/III strongly desired.
• Cloud Platform: Professional/Architect-level certification from at least one JWCC CSP (AWS, Azure, Google, or Oracle) is highly preferred.

Benefits

Competitive compensation and an extraordinary benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K with company matching, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, three weeks paid time off, and more.