Senior Program Manager

Senior Program Manager – Entity Vetting & Security Operations

We are seeking a strategic Program Manager / Operator – a leader who bridges the gap between executive policy and daily execution. You will be the primary interface with government leadership (Mission Chief, Contracting Officer), responsible for the health, performance, and evolution of a complex, high-volume vetting ecosystem.

Ensure the daily processing of 200,000+ annual vetting inquiries and risk assessments meets strict timeliness and quality standards.

Partner with the customer to refine processes, clear backlogs, and implement the next generation of industrial security vetting (FOCI, NISP, and Section 847).

Active Top-Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (Tier 5 Investigation).

Quantico, VA

• Serve as the single point of accountability for a dispersed workforce of 300 personnel, ensuring alignment with DCSA’s Industrial Security and Counterintelligence Directorates.
• Act as a trusted advisor to Government leadership, providing data-driven insights on backlog reduction, risk trends, and workflow optimization.
• Translate complex legislative mandates (e.g., Section 847) into executable operational plans, ensuring the workforce adapts quickly to changing threat landscapes.
• High-Volume Management:
  Oversee the "Verification & Triage Unit" (VTU) to ensure the timely intake of 1,000 weekly sponsorship packages and inquiries.
• Analytic Rigor:
  Ensure the "Due Diligence" (DDU) and "Counterintelligence" (CI) units produce high-quality Entity Vulnerability Assessments (EVAs) and Threat Information Responses (TIRs) that meet Intelligence Community standards.
• Quality Control:
  Maintain a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) that guarantees 95%+ accuracy across all deliverables, from data entry to complex legal risk strategies.
• Lead a multi-tiered team of Deputy PMs and Unit Chiefs to manage recruitment, retention, and training for a mix of administrative, intelligence, and risk management roles.
• Manage operational surge requirements, shifting resources dynamically between Triage, Due Diligence, and Risk Mitigation tasks to prevent bottlenecks.
• Oversee the contract budget, burn rates, and financial reporting to ensure fiscal discipline on a Firm Fixed Price level of effort.

• Education:
  
  Master’s degree in Business Administration, Program Management, Finance, Security, IT, or a related field.
• Certification:
  Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification (Must be current).
• 12+ years of total experience in Program/Project Management.
• 12+ years of specialized experience interacting with high-ranking officials (SES/General Officer level) and managing complex government contracts.

• DCSA/Industrial Security Fluency:
  Deep understanding of the National Industrial Security Program (NISP), 32 CFR Part 117 (NISPOM), and the specific challenges of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) mitigation.
• Supply Chain/
  
  Risk Management:
  
  Experience managing programs focused on Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), Vendor Vetting, or Third-Party Risk.
• Scale & Complexity:
  Proven track record managing contracts with 200+ FTEs and multiple subcontractors. Experience with high-volume processing centers (e.g., background investigations, claims processing) is a major differentiator.
• Data-Driven Mindset:
  Ability to use data analytics to forecast workloads, identify bottlenecks, and present program health metrics to leadership.
• Change Agent:
  Experience leading teams through organizational transformation, technology modernization (e.g., migration to NBIS/NISS), or policy shifts.

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in McLean, VA, Xcelerate Solutions () is one of America's fastest-growing companies. Xcelerate’s culture is defined by our diversified workforce of dynamic and versatile professionals, supported with growth and development opportunities that contribute to individual and company growth. This strong commitment to our employees has been recognized by our inclusion on the Washington Business Journal’s “50 Best Places to…