Senior Program Manager

Washington, DC
Full Time
Experienced

Company Description

 

Dcode is a team of doers dedicated to bridging the gap between the speed of technology and the federal government. We align people, culture, policies, and processes to get tech in the hands of those who need it most. Operating at the nexus of government leaders, emerging tech companies, and venture capital, we turn roadblocks into results. 

Role Summary

We are seeking a mission-driven, results-oriented Senior Program Manager to lead the execution of high-priority initiatives for a defense sector client. In this role, you will lead major workstreams and projects that deliver measurable mission outcomes, while helping stand up and operationalize a rapid acquisition capability.

You will play a critical role in building and implementing the frameworks, governance models, decision structures, and performance metrics required to accelerate innovation and delivery. This includes advising client stakeholders on program improvements, strengthening decision-making discipline, and ensuring teams remain focused on outcomes rather than outputs.

Success in this role requires the ability to navigate ambiguity, lead teams, influence senior stakeholders, and translate complex challenges into structured, repeatable solutions that scale.

Salary range: $116,000-$152,000 

TS-SCI with polygraph is strongly preferred.  Eligibility for clearance is required.  

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Delivery

  • Lead projects or major workstreams delivering measurable mission outcomes in high-tempo environments.
  • Translate strategic objectives into actionable plans, operating models, and repeatable processes.
  • Design and implement frameworks for rapid acquisition, including intake, evaluation, decision-making, and transition workflows.
  • Drive execution through agile, sprint-based delivery models, ensuring progress is measurable and iterative.
  • Ensure teams remain focused on outcomes (mission impact, speed, ROI) rather than outputs.
  • Identify risks, anticipate challenges, and proactively implement mitigation strategies.

Client Advisory & Stakeholder Engagement

  • Serve as a trusted advisor to client stakeholders, providing data-driven recommendations on program and process improvements.
  • Facilitate alignment across leadership, program offices, and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Support the development of governance structures, decision frameworks, and operating charters.
  • Enable faster, more disciplined decision-making through standardized approaches (e.g., down-selects, risk recalibration, transition readiness).

Performance & Continuous Improvement

  • Establish and implement performance measurement frameworks, including leading indicators (e.g., cycle time, throughput, decision velocity).
  • Develop ROI and impact models to support investment decisions and future scaling efforts.
  • Ensure pilots and initiatives are structured as evidence-generating experiments with consistent evaluation criteria.
  • Drive continuous improvement by capturing lessons learned and refining processes.

Ecosystem & Innovation Enablement

  • Support the design and execution of engagement models with startups, academia, and emerging technology partners.
  • Standardize approaches for technology evaluation, integration readiness, and vendor engagement.
  • Help align innovation efforts with mission priorities and scalable delivery pathways.

People Leadership & Team Development

  • Lead and manage team members across projects, ensuring high-quality delivery and professional growth.
  • Take responsibility for onboarding new team members and accelerating time to productivity.
  • Support professional development through regular feedback and career conversations.
  • Manage team utilization across projects to ensure effective resourcing and delivery.
  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning.

Contract & Delivery Management

  • Manage contract execution to ensure compliance, performance, and profitability targets are met.
  • Monitor delivery health, flag risks early, and implement solutions to improve efficiency and scalability.

Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

  • 5–7 years of relevant professional experience, including leadership of government-facing programs or workstreams.
  • Experience supporting DoD or federal clients in areas such as acquisition, innovation, technology integration, or program management.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead projects and deliver measurable outcomes in complex, ambiguous environments.
  • Experience advising stakeholders and influencing decisions at multiple levels of an organization.
  • Strong understanding of program management principles, with exposure to agile methodologies.
  • Excellent communication skills, including the ability to develop executive-level briefings and decision-ready materials.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on structured thinking and execution.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Familiarity with DoD acquisition pathways (e.g., OTAs, CSOs, IDIQs).
  • Experience building or implementing governance frameworks, operating models, or performance metrics.
  • Experience working with innovation ecosystems, including startups or emerging technology vendors.
 

You’ll Excel in This Role If You:

  • Thrive in fast-paced, mission-driven environments with evolving priorities.
  • Balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
  • Proactively identify problems and drive solutions without waiting for direction.
  • Can translate complex challenges into clear, structured approaches.
  • Are comfortable leading teams while also delivering independently.
  • Focus on outcomes and impact rather than activity alone.

Additional Information

 

We look for resilient hustlers: 

Our CEO busted her face on the balance beam in college and got back up… our CRO has knocked on a thousand doors, was rejected 999 times, and kept on knocking... What is your story? 

 

Equal Opportunity Statement

We provide equal opportunity to all persons without regard to ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, family or parental status, national origin, veteran, or disability status. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

We believe diversity is a strength and aim to build an innovative and welcoming culture where people from all backgrounds feel respected and included. We believe that true innovation happens when everyone has the tools, resources, and opportunities to excel.


 
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