[Contingent] Cybersecurity Program Manager (Executive Advisor)

Job Description

Company: phia LLC

Location: Fairfax, US

DISCLAIMER: This position is in support of a current government proposal. Employment is contingent upon contract award to phia, LLC.

Status: Proposal – Contingent upon Award

Location: Hybrid – Washington, DC Metro Area

Schedule:
Focus Areas: CISO Advisory, Executive Leadership, Enterprise Cybersecurity Strategy, Program Management, Insider Threat, Zero Trust, Federal Policy

OVERVIEW

phia is seeking a Senior Cybersecurity Program Manager (Executive Advisor) to serve as the most senior cybersecurity voice on a federal program – advising executive leadership on enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy, risk, and compliance while providing overall program management for phia’s contract team. This is a dual-hat leadership role requiring both deep technical credibility and executive-level communication skills.

You will advise senior federal government officials on cybersecurity strategy, risk management, zero trust adoption, and federal compliance priorities; oversee the phia program team’s delivery; represent the client in interagency cybersecurity working groups; and translate complex technical risks into clear, mission-focused guidance for decision-makers.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Advise senior federal executive leadership (CISO, CIO, and above) on enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy, risk management, and compliance priorities aligned with FISMA, FedRAMP, the Privacy Act, NIST frameworks, and CISA guidance.
• Act as the senior cybersecurity program advisor, providing executive-level decision support on policy, governance, technology investments, and modernization initiatives including zero trust architecture adoption and cloud migration security.
• Oversee the development and implementation of enterprise cybersecurity policies, standards, and procedures to ensure mission resilience and regulatory compliance.
• Manage the phia program: serve as the primary point of contact for all contract actions, oversee all contractor activities and deliverables, manage cost, schedule, and technical performance, and provide regular program status reporting.
• Guide incident response and crisis management efforts, briefing senior leadership during significant security events and coordinating with federal law enforcement and interagency partners.
• Direct enterprise risk assessments and security posture evaluations; identify systemic risks and prioritize remediation across critical systems.
• Lead and advise on Insider Threat program activities: maintain compliance with applicable federal Insider Threat policies, perform program assessments, develop annual program reports, maintain interagency liaison relationships, and research advanced analytic tools for insider threat detection.
• Represent the client organization in interagency cybersecurity working groups and task forces.
• Deliver regular executive briefings to senior leadership, translating complex technical risks into actionable, mission-impact terms.
• Mentor senior security managers and technical staff; build organizational cybersecurity capacity and support succession planning for key security leadership roles.

WHO YOU ARE

• CISO Advisor: You have advised CISOs, CIOs, and senior executive leaders and given them guidance they could act on. You understand what they need to hear and how to communicate effectively.
• Federal Policy Expert: You have 15+ years of experience with FISMA, FedRAMP, NIST frameworks, CISA guidance, the Privacy Act, and OMB A-130 and understand how these frameworks interact in a large federal agency environment.
• Executive Communicator: You can transform a complex, multi-dimensional cybersecurity risk into a concise, decision-ready brief. You are comfortable presenting to the most senior levels of government leadership.
• Program Manager: You have successfully managed large, multi-task federal cybersecurity programs: you understand EVM, integrated master scheduling, staffing management, and what it takes to sustain a high-performing technical team.
• Insider Threat Leader: You have led or advised federal Insider Threat programs and understand the legal, privacy, and civil liberties sensitivities involved in operating such a program.
• Zero Trust Champion: You understand zero trust architecture principles and have advised on or overseen ZTA adoption in a federal enterprise setting.
• Mentor: You invest in developing the people around you. You elevate your team.

PREFERRED SKILLS

• Prior experience advising a federal agency CISO or CIO on enterprise cybersecurity strategy
• Experience with interagency cybersecurity coordination
• Familiarity with Executive Order 14028 (Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity) and its implementation requirements for federal agencies
• Experience with ISO 27001 and HIPAA governance frameworks in addition to FISMA/NIST
• Prior experience supporting or leading a National Insider Threat Task Force member organization
• Experience with advanced analytic tools for insider threat detection and behavioral analysis

REQUIRED EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE

Education: Master’s degree in Cybersecurity required

Experience: 20+ years of experience in IT and Cybersecurity; 15+ years advising CISO, CIO, and executive leadership on enterprise cybersecurity strategy, risk management, and federal compliance; 10+ years delivering executive briefings that translate technical risks into mission-impact terms

Certifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) – required
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM – ISACA) – required
• Minimum one (1) of: CISA (ISACA), CRISC (ISACA), CISSP (ISC2), CGRC (ISC2)

Clearance: Public Trust / Suitability clearance required

GENERAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen. No exception.

Work Hours: Full-time; Monday-Friday core hours 0730-1600 EST

Work Location: Hybrid – Washington, DC Metro Area; on-site presence required.
Travel: Occasional travel may be required in support of this program.

phia offers excellent benefits to enhance work-life balance, including the following:
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Short Term & Long Term Disability
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Tuition and Professional Development Assistance

Source: Ladders