Director of DHS Programs

Director of DHS programs

ATSC is seeking a seasoned and strategic Director of Programs to lead the Program Management Office (PMO) for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) programs.  The Director of Programs provides leadership and oversight for all ATSC programs, which involve the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) including agencies like the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This hands-on role leads the PMO in winning and executing complex, multi_‑year programs delivering advanced surveillance, sensor, and communications technologies to secure U.S. borders and protect U.S. assets in applications involving C6ISR and CUAS systems with follow-on logistics and service support. 

The Director of Programs holds P&L responsibility for the company’s programs under the auspices of the PMO, ensuring revenue, profit, cash and growth objectives are achieved. Additionally, the position supports business development and capture efforts. The Director of Programs serves as the senior leader responsible for liaison with the DHS clients and owns the accountability for outstanding customer experience. The role is responsible for the coordination and interface of the PMO with the execution teams in the company, partners and supply chain to deliver successful outcomes. The Director of Programs spearheads driving innovation by bringing knowledge of market drivers and product application to the development of solutions that meet the customers’ needs and accelerate the company’s growth. A critical aspect of the role is programs risk management, ensuring proactive identification, assessment, and mitigation of risks across the program lifecycle from program pursuit through sustainment. 

The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of products, services and contractual environment related to DHS and its Border Surveillance and Force/Asset Protection programs. They must also have exceptional leadership skills, and a proven track record of managing complex, high-impact programs. This role is critical in ensuring the alignment of program strategies with organizational goals, optimizing program performance, and driving successful outcomes in a rapidly evolving technological and business environment.

Key Responsibilities:

 Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead execution of all programs, ensuring alignment with mission and contractual requirements.
• Oversee planning, integration, testing, deployment, and sustainment of programs involving advanced security, surveillance and counter-drone systems for border and force/asset protection.
• Deliver systems, capabilities and support services that meet operational requirements, ensure interoperability, achieve customer acceptance and provide an outstanding customer experience.

• Oversee the planning, execution, and delivery of C5ISR programs, ensuring they meet performance, schedule, and budgetary requirements.
• Ensure adherence to contractual, regulatory, and compliance requirements.

 P&L and Financial Management

• Own P&L responsibility for the programs, driving financial performance against revenue, margin, cash, and growth goals.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting to ensure fiscal responsibility and accountability.
• Ensure profitability while meeting contractual requirements and compliance standards.

• Act as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on program issues, risks, and opportunities.

 Risk Management:

• Develop and implement risk management frameworks to monitor and control program cost, schedule, technical, and performance risks.
• Maintain program risk registers and execute mitigation plans in collaboration with internal execution and customer-facing teams.
• Report program risk posture and mitigation status to executive leadership and customers.
• Ensure risk awareness and accountability is embedded across the program teams.
• Monitor market risks and create and deploy risk mitigation plans.

 Customer & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as the primary liaison with U.S. DHS customer stakeholder communities.
• Represent the company at customer reviews and DHS forums.
• Build trusted customer relationships that enable program success and growth opportunities.

• Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including government clients, partners, and suppliers, to ensure alignment and satisfaction.

 Innovation and Growth:

• Lead the broader team to deliver innovation through translation of customer/market perspective on product applications, help develop market strategy and product roadmaps, and drive evolution of the product portfolio.
• Drive growth by shepherding the end-to-end process associated with linking market drivers to solution innovation to deliver customer satisfaction and fast_‑track growth.

 Business Development & Capture:

• Lead identification, pursuit and capture of new business opportunities in the DHS.
• Provide subject matter expertise in security, surveillance and C-UAS applications during capture, proposals, and solution development.
• Partner with Business Development, Engineering and Technology Innovation teams to identify and pursue new DHS opportunities for C6ISR, C-UAS and other applications for Border Protection, Force/Asset Protection and Air-Drop market segments.
• Lead win strategies, competitive assessments, and pricing decisions based on program, market and customer stakeholder insights.
• Represent the company at trade shows, industry events, and with the DHS customer community.

 Internal Coordination & Team Leadership:

• Coordinate with internal execution teams (engineering, operations, logistics, supply chain, finance, contracts and IT/cybersecurity) to align resources with program priorities.

• Oversee the allocation of resources across the programs, ensuring optimum resource utilization and addressing any resource constraints or conflicts.

• Lead program managers and integrated program teams, including field service personnel and subcontractors ensuring successful execution, deployment and support.
• Mentor and develop PMO staff, strengthening organizational program management capability.
• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement initiatives to enhance program efficiency, effectiveness, and quality.
• Promote the use of data-driven decision-making and performance metrics to drive continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement program management strategies, methodologies, and best practices aligned with organizational objectives and industry standards.
• Work closely with internal team members to architect innovative products, capabilities and system solutions to meet current and future customer needs.

 Compliance & Security:

• Ensure compliance with DHS acquisition policies and cybersecurity standards.
• Maintain readiness for U.S. Government audits, inspections, and operational readiness reviews.

 Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical discipline, business, or program management (Master’s degree or PMP preferred).
• 10 years of DHS program/Government leadership experience, with at least 5 years leading large-scale security, surveillance, C6ISR or CUAS initiatives/programs for border and/or force/asset protection.
• Demonstrated experience managing U.S. DHS programs.
• Prior experience working in/with the U.S. DHS.
• Track record of successful P&L management experience with responsibility for revenue and profit performance.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop high-performing teams in a matrixed environment.
• Hands-on experience implementing program risk management frameworks.
• Knowledge of acquisition lifecycle, contract types (FFP, CPFF, T&M, IDIQ).
• Active clearance or ability to obtain one.

 Skills & Competencies:

• Deep understanding of C6ISR and CUAS systems, technologies, applications and industry trends as it relates to the DHS market and customers.
• Expertise in border security and surveillance, force/asset protection applications on DHS programs.
• Knowledge of compliance with all contractual, regulatory, and corporate requirements, including Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and Homeland Security Acquisition Regulations (HSAR).
• Business development mindset with capture/proposal support experience.
• Strategic leadership balancing program delivery with financial and risk performance.
• Ability to manage risk in complex, multi-agency customer environments.
• Strong program risk management mindset with proven mitigation strategies.
• Effective coordination skills with internal execution teams, cross-functional organizations, suppliers, subcontractors and partners.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present complex information to diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
• Commitment to compliance, mission assurance, and ethical conduct.

Advanced Technology Systems Company is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite resumes from all interested parties including women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities.

Advanced Technology Systems Company is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.