Program Lead, US Defense Engagements

Zinc Network

. Own the day-to-day relationship with the prime contractor and government customer as Zinc's principal point of contact for program delivery matters .

Posted 9/24/2026full-timeUnited StatesSenior💰 $150,000 - $175,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in managing client relationships within US federal contracting, with a strong focus on strategic communications and defense information operations. Proven ability to lead teams, manage program delivery, and ensure compliance with security and contractual requirements.

Highest-signal resume keywords

US Federal Contracting ExperienceStrategic Communications ManagementTeam Building and People ManagementUS Security Clearance (TS/SCI Preferred)Program and Delivery Management

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Program Delivery ManagementBudget TrackingLabor-Hour UtilizationClient Relationship ManagementBehavioral Change FrameworksUS Defense Information OperationsTask Order ScopingContract ComplianceRecruitmentOnboarding

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsRelationship ManagementCredibility with Government CustomersLeadershipProblem Solving

Certifications & Qualifications

Active US Security Clearance

Industry Keywords

GeopoliticsSecurityTechnologyCommunicationsBehavioral ScienceHPEMUS CitizenshipFederal ContractingSubcontractor ManagementImpact-Driven Proposition

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

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About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Own the day-to-day relationship with the prime contractor and government customer as Zinc's principal point of contact for program delivery matters
Lead delivery across all Zinc-resourced workstreams, ensuring outputs meet requirements, quality standards, and deadlines
Translate prime and government requirements into practical delivery plans, coordinating Zinc's US- and UK-based teams
Build and lead a dedicated US-based delivery team, including recruitment, onboarding, and people management
Monitor program budget and labor-hour utilization against subcontract terms, escalating risks, variances, and scope changes
Maintain fluency in US defense information operations practice, terminology, and behavioral frameworks such as HPEM
Identify and help scope additional task order and growth opportunities
Ensure program activity complies with contractual, security, and clearance requirements
Represent Zinc's culture, working approach, and tech-forward, impact-driven proposition to the prime and government customer
Represent Zinc at high-level meetings with clients and project partners
Work at the intersection of geopolitics, security, technology, communications, and behavioral science

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
Significant professional experience in strategic communications, IO, or a closely related discipline, spanning both private-sector and US defense contracting environments
Demonstrated experience managing a client or prime contractor relationship in a US federal contracting context, ideally as a subcontractor
Working knowledge of US defense information operations practice, terminology, and behavioral change frameworks
Active or readily reinstated US security clearance appropriate to the program's classification requirements (TS/SCI preferred)
US citizenship (required for personnel on this program)
Experience building and leading teams, including recruitment and people management
Strong program and delivery management skills, including budget and labor-hour tracking within a federal contracting structure
Excellent relationship-management and communication skills, with the credibility to operate confidently with both government customers and a fast-moving, creative organization
Candidates who receive a job offer must disclose any previous disciplinary action resulting from a substantiated safeguarding or workplace investigation
Candidates who receive a job offer must undergo background checks relevant to the country of employment, including employment verification, sexual offender registry checks where available, identity confirmation, and anti-terrorism vetting