Operations Officer (Senior Internet Technology Project Manager)

This position is in the Secretariat for Special Operations (SSO), Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (OASW(SO/LIC)). The ASW(SO/LIC) serves as the principal civilian advisor and assistant to the Secretary of War and has statutory responsibility for overseeing special operations-peculiar administrative matters pertaining to the readiness and organization of special operations forces (SOF), resources and equipment, and civilian personnel.

The Operations Officer (Senior IT Project Manager) serves as the primary technical authority, acquisition advisor, and execution lead for secure systems modernization and cybersecurity governance across the SSO, reporting directly to the SSO CIO / EDS Chief. In this capacity, the Operations Officer provides direct oversight of the Enterprise Digital Services (EDS) contractor team to ensure strict alignment with the transition strategy. The primary focus of this role is to govern the decommissioning of the legacy .gov network and Data Center, while directing the lifecycle management and acquisition of modern, secure, and compliant cloud capabilities within the DOW-approved Microsoft 365 and SharePoint Online environments. The Manager works directly with resource managers, technical teams, and vendors to monitor service-level agreements (SLAs), evaluate technical deliverables, and enforce low-code/no-code Microsoft Power Platform standards.

Travel frequency is up to 10%, with travel between Washington, D.C., and U.S. Special Operations Command for limited functions and coordination.

• →Technical Project Lifecycle & Governance Execution: Acts as the lead integrator and technical authority for all IT systems, infrastructure upgrades, and enterprise software deployments across the organization. This role directs the full project management lifecycle—from requirement elicitation and work breakdown scheduling through deployment and operational transition. The Manager actively establishes technical baselines, monitors project velocity, eliminates delivery roadblocks, and enforces standard operating procedures (SOPs) and configuration control to ensure predictable, secure, and compliant project milestones.
• →Cybersecurity Posture, Compliance & ISSM Alignment: The Manager provides subject matter expertise in information security governance, supporting Information System Security Manager (ISSM) functions and security assessment processes. Core duties include coordinating Risk Management Framework (RMF) accreditation packages, monitoring continuous diagnostic and mitigation (CDM) baselines, and evaluating technical architecture against strict cybersecurity standards. The role conducts vulnerability reviews, oversees system authorization artifacts (ATO/IATT), liaises with defense authorizing officials, and ensures all network enclaves and sensitive processing environments remain strictly compliant with applicable security directives.
• →Stakeholder Synchronization, Vendor Oversight & Technical Advisory: The role drives cross-functional technical synchronization by translating intricate operational needs into actionable engineering specifications and procurement packages. Working directly with government resource managers, systems engineers, and defense contractors, the Manager oversees vendor performance, service-level agreements (SLAs), and hardware/software asset lifecycle roadmaps. Additionally, they advise the SSO CIO on emerging technologies, leads technical working groups, document key engineering decisions, and direct technical onboarding and transition activities to ensure new capabilities integrate seamlessly into operational workflows.
• →Acquisition Oversight & Lifecycle Management: Serve as the primary Government oversight authority and Technical Representative for EDS acquisition, procurement, and lifecycle-management activities. This includes translating SSO business requirements into formal procurement packages, evaluating vendor technical proposals for Microsoft 365 and SharePoint suitability, and conducting rigorous lifecycle reviews of contractor deliverables. The Manager ensures that the contractor utilizes native Microsoft Power Platform configurations (Power Apps, Power BI, Power Automate) rather than establishing costly, non-standard custom software baselines, thereby mitigating long-term maintenance costs and technical debt.

Required Skills and Experience

• Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility. U.S. Citizenship required.
• Deep technical subject matter expertise in enterprise IT lifecycle management, IT acquisition, and cloud governance, with specific expertise in evaluating, acquiring, and securing Microsoft 365, SharePoint Online, and Power Platform enterprise structures. Working knowledge of NIST SP 800-37/800-53, Risk Management Framework (RMF) for cloud enclaves, DoD IT/Cyber directives, and federal IT acquisition regulations.
• Demonstrated experience providing direct technical oversight to defense contractors, monitoring SLA metrics (such as help desk response and resolution times), and serving as a direct advisor to Senior Executive Service (SES) or Flag Officer-level IT leadership.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary technical teams, manage high-stakes IT delivery schedules, translate technical risks into executive-level decision briefs, and exercise sound judgment in ambiguous, high-tempo mission environments.
• 15 to 20+ years of progressive experience in IT project management, enterprise systems integration, or information systems cybersecurity management.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant technical field (e.g., Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Systems Management, or Computer Engineering); Master’s degree preferred. Relevant senior experience (15-20+ years) may be considered in lieu of a degree, consistent with contract requirements.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Active industry certifications strongly preferred, including:
• • Project Management: Project Management Professional (PMP) or PMI-Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP).
  • Cybersecurity & Information Assurance: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), or DoD 8140/8570 IAM/IAT Level III qualifications.
• Direct experience managing IT systems within SOF operations, special access program (SAP) environments, or multi-enclave classified facilities (e.g., NIPR, SIPR, JWICS).
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate system designs at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels, anticipating technical interdependencies and operational friction points across complex defense networks.
• Experience supporting Department of War, Joint, Special Operations Forces, federal, or other secure mission environments.
• Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks, Risk Management Framework (RMF), Authority to Operate (ATO) processes, security control implementation, vulnerability management, and incident-response coordination.
• Familiarity with Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, hybrid delivery methods, and IT service-management practices.
• Aligns day-to-day project execution with overarching enterprise goals, corporate roadmaps, and business outcomes. Ability to think at tactical, operational, and strategic levels and assess the impact of technical decisions within complex mission and enterprise environments.
• Analytical mindset capable of unblocking engineering bottlenecks, finding creative workarounds, and managing ambiguous situations.
• Experience managing IT modernization, cloud migration, network refresh, cybersecurity enhancement, software implementation, or digital-transformation efforts.
• Ability to develop clear executive briefings, decision papers, technical summaries, and performance reports for nontechnical and technical audiences.
  
  

This position is benefits-eligible. Our suite of benefits includes Health, Dental, Vision, 401k w/ match, Gym Membership discounts, Volunteer Paid Time Off, and a generous PTO package. We'd love to tell you more! Apply today!

We believe great talent comes from many backgrounds and experiences. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and make all employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business needs. We are committed to maintaining a workplace free from discrimination and harassment, consistent with all applicable laws.