Cyber Defense Program Operations Lead

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Illinois, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Act as the operational and execution partner to the Executive Director of Cyber Defense & Investigations.

• Foster operational rigor, execution discipline, planning cadence, and cross-domain alignment within the Cyber Defense & Investigations organization.

• Guarantee the consistent execution of CD&I initiatives, priorities, and investments.

• Proactively manage dependencies and highlight delivery risks at an early stage.

• Provide leadership with accurate and timely insights to facilitate effective decision-making.

• Influence operational, engineering, and investigative teams without having direct management authority.

• Create operational metrics and executive reporting.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 8–10+ years of experience in Information Security, Cyber Defense, Technology Operations, or strategic program leadership (or equivalent experience).

• Experience functioning at a principal or senior-advisor level within intricate, matrixed organizations.

• Strong capabilities in program execution, operational management, and planning.

• Ability to influence senior leaders and drive results without formal authority.

• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize information for executive-level discussions.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational abilities.

• Capacity to manage multiple competing priorities in a dynamic operational environment.

• Preferred: experience in supporting cyber defense, security operations, incident response, or threat-focused organizations.

• Preferred: familiarity with NIST CSF, cyber defense operating models, or security program maturity frameworks.

• Preferred: experience in developing operational metrics and executive reporting.

• Preferred: experience in program operations, enterprise execution leadership, or strategy execution roles.

• Sponsorship is not available, including for candidates currently on OPT.

🏝️ Benefits

• Tailored development plans and investment in professional growth.

• Health and wellness benefits.

• 401(k) savings plan.

• Pension plan.

• Paid time off.

• Paid parental leave.

• Disability insurance.

• Supplemental life insurance.

• Employee assistance program.

• Paid holidays.

• Tuition reimbursement.

• Additional incentives.

• Annual incentive bonus plan subject to the terms and conditions of the plan.

• Employee referral process.