Deputy Chief Program Officer

The Deputy Chief Program Officer works collaboratively with the Chief Program Officer (CPO) and across the organization to achieve BENS’s goals and mission.

This work includes:

• providing leadership and mentorship across the Program Team
• contributing to the strategic direction of BENS’s campaigns
• strengthening cross-organizational coordination to ensure programmatic alignment and effective execution
• thought leadership through writing and advocacy on relevant defense and national security topics
• coordinating with members
• fostering relationships with government partners across the National Security Enterprise.

The Deputy CPO also plays a key role in shaping program priorities, elevating BENS's reputation, and ensuring high-quality, impactful deliverables.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Support to the Chief Program Officer, deputizing for the CPO when required.
• Informal leadership and mentorship of BENS Program Team members, including interns.
• Management/oversight of specific team projects and efforts.
• Contribute to the strategic direction of the BENS campaigns (Mobilizing Private Capital, Strengthening Supply Chains, Homeland Resilience and Response).
• Leading the Program Team’s writing efforts as part of a wider thought leadership effort alongside the CPO, CEO, and COO.
• Networking with BENS Members and government partners at the state and local level.
• Overall tracking and coordination of Program Team and wider campaign activities.
• Occasional travel.
• Ensure high-quality products by providing review, guidance, and editorial support across major written products and presentations.
• Support cross-organization collaboration, particularly with Membership, Development, and Operations, to ensure program activities are well integrated and advance organizational priorities.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Capacity to act as a candid but supportive sounding board to the Chief Program Officer.
• Possess a positive, solution-oriented mindset, capable of strategic planning but, when appropriate, being detail-focused in delivery.
• Fearless curiosity, with a passion for exploring new topics and seeking perspectives and insights for addressing challenges.
• Work well autonomously and within a team.
• Very strong verbal and written communication skills, and a passion for writing.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with BENS Members and U.S. federal, state, and local government partners.
• Familiarity with the U.S. National Security Enterprise, to include the Department of Defense; the Departments of Treasury, Commerce, and Homeland Security and its component agencies; the Intelligence Community; and relevant Congressional Committees.
• Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, drive progress across multiple projects, and deliver high-quality work under tight timelines.
• Strong judgment, discretion, and ability to represent BENS in high-level engagements with external partners.

Education and Experience

• A minimum of ten years of professional experience in U.S. national security, public policy, and/or business

To Apply

To apply, email your resume, cover letter, and two writing samples to Ms. Haley Lamm at hlamm@bens.org.

Applications will be considered through January 23, 2026.