Academic Engagement Program Manager

Overview We are seeking an Academic Engagement Program Manager to support the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer (DoD CIO), Cyber Academic Engagement Office (CAEO). This role serves as the primary operational, communications, and stakeholder engagement lead supporting the CAEO's external academic partnerships and cyber workforce development initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess a strong blend of strategic communications, executive-level coordination, stakeholder engagement, and program management experience while working directly with senior DoD leadership, academic institutions, and interagency partners. Key Responsibilities: Serve as the primary operational liaison supporting major CAEO initiatives, including the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C), Senior Military College DoD Cyber Institutes, University Consortium for Cybersecurity (UC2), VICEROY Program, and National Defense University College of Information and Cyberspace (NDU CIC). Track program milestones, deliverables, and reporting requirements across multiple academic engagement programs. Coordinate and consolidate partner reporting while ensuring academic activities align with DoD strategic objectives and cyber workforce development goals. Manage executive scheduling, stakeholder coordination, and engagement planning for the CAEO External Programs Coordinator. Coordinate meetings and engagements involving university presidents, academic deans, senior military leaders, interagency partners, and DoD executives. Prepare executive read-ahead materials, briefing packages, agendas, meeting minutes, and engagement summaries. Draft, edit, and distribute strategic communications supporting academic engagement programs and cyber education initiatives. Serve as the primary editor and coordinator for the CAEO newsletter, ensuring timely dissemination of program updates, grant opportunities, and strategic messaging. Manage and maintain CAEO external-facing websites and digital communication platforms. Ensure web content related to academic partnerships, cybersecurity initiatives, and program requirements remains accurate, current, and compliant with public release guidelines. Provide direct administrative and operational support to the External Academic Engagement Director. Develop memorandums, executive correspondence, reports, and briefing materials for Senior Executive Service (SES) and General/Flag Officer leadership. Maintain records, partnership agreements, engagement documentation, and program management artifacts. Support event planning, conference coordination, workshops, and academic engagement activities. Requirements Required Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree with 5+ years of relevant experience OR High School Diploma with 9+ years of relevant experience Experience supporting stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, outreach programs, workforce development initiatives, or academic partnership programs. Strong understanding of higher education institutions, academic engagement models, and government partnership initiatives. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with experience drafting newsletters, executive correspondence, reports, and briefing materials. Experience managing websites, digital content, or external communications platforms. Strong calendar management, meeting coordination, and executive scheduling experience. Demonstrated ability to engage professionally with senior government officials, military leaders, and academic executives. Experience developing presentations, briefing decks, and executive-level communications. Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and enterprise collaboration tools. Preferred Qualifications: Experience supporting DoD, federal government, military education, or cybersecurity workforce development programs. Familiarity with National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) programs. Knowledge of Senior Military Colleges, National Defense University, and federal grant or consortium-based programs. Experience supporting Senior Executive Service (SES), General Officers, Flag Officers, or other senior government leadership. Understanding of cybersecurity education, talent pipeline development, and academic outreach initiatives. Experience managing public-facing websites, newsletters, and strategic communications campaigns. Familiarity with SharePoint, collaboration platforms, and content management systems. Benefits Core Benefits: Paid Time Off PTO):TEN (10) Paid days off & FIVE (5) Floating days off. Holidays: 11 Paid Holidays. Flex time can be utilized instead of holiday time usage. Payroll: Paid Bi-Monthly. 401(k): Partnered with the SECOND LARGEST Retirement plan provider in the U.S. Guaranteed 3% match. Eligibility – 21 years of age or older, after 3 months of employment Individual or company-wide performance and recognition awards (Quarterly Health Benefits: UNITED HEALTHCARE PPO, extensive national coverage. INCLUDES: Medical/Dental/Vision/HSA. Eligible on the first of the month, immediately after the start date. Submit the enrollment form within 30 days of your start date otherwise, you will have to wait until October for the new year enrollment. Quality of Life Benefits: Training & Career Development Reimbursement of Tuition and training needed to support career development. $150 monthly reimbursement contribution paid monthly towards parking expenses. Receipts must be submitted by the close of business on the 25th of each month. Reimbursements will be paid on the first payroll AFTER reimbursements are submitted each month. Special Benefits: Performance bonus – Project-based Yearly bonus – Company based