Senior Program Manager CGC

About Merlin Group

Merlin Group operates at the intersection of cyber innovation, national security, and technology-driven transformation. With a mission to accelerate the adoption of high-impact technologies across the U.S. public sector and regulated commercial markets, Merlin is uniquely structured around three core tenets – Invest, Enable, and Scale – each designed to address a specific stage of the technology lifecycle. Together, our affiliates – Merlin Ventures, CGC, and Merlin Cyber – form a flywheel that builds enduring capability for customers, partners, and the broader cyber ecosystem, operationalizing technological advancement into mission-ready, enterprise-grade solutions.

At Merlin, we believe our strength lies in our people. Team members are encouraged to be creative, collaborative, and nimble, pursuing paths to deliver the cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions that our customers rely on. From next-generation cyber defense to secure cloud and AI, we are united by one purpose – transforming innovation into mission impact.

The Opportunity

We're seeking a Senior Program Manager to lead the operationalization, scaling, and ongoing execution of CGC's marketplace for consumption by the U.S. public sector. This role is responsible for standing up the CGC marketplace as a production platform, onboarding and lifecycle-managing vendors, and ensuring the marketplace aligns with public sector procurement, governance, and consumption mandates.

This is a senior, execution-focused, program leadership role with a strong operational core and a secondary emphasis on external vendor engagement. The Senior Program Manager will work closely with the broader leadership team, independent software vendors, and government stakeholders to customize and scale the CGC platform in alignment with public sector initiatives, driving improved software governance, cost savings opportunities, and procurement efficiency across public sector organizations.

As CGC matures and scales, this role offers the opportunity to build and lead a program team, shaping the long-term operational model for a platform positioned for broader public sector adoption.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

CGC Program Leadership & Execution

• Lead end-to-end program execution for the CGC marketplace, from initial customization and deployment through scaling and operational maturity.
• Translate public sector mandates and procurement requirements into actionable program plans, requirements, and execution roadmaps.
• Coordinate customization of a platform to support specific usage and procurement models, compliance needs, and varied stakeholder workflows.

Vendor Onboarding & Lifecycle Management

• Lead onboarding of initial and subsequent Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) offering SaaS and FedRAMP-authorized solutions.
• Establish and manage vendor lifecycle processes, including onboarding, performance management, offboarding, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure vendor offerings align with CGC marketplace standards.

Governance, Contracts & Procurement Coordination

• Support contract and procurement coordination activities related to CGC marketplace vendors and operations.
• Apply public sector acquisition and governance expertise to ensure CGC marketplace operations align with public sector requirements and best practices.
• Make data-driven recommendations to the broader leadership team regarding program priorities, vendor inclusion or removal, budget considerations, and process changes.
• Develop executive-ready decision memos outlining options, impacts, and recommended courses of action.

Stakeholder Engagement & Executive Reporting

• Partner closely with the broader leadership team, external vendors, and government stakeholders.
• Brief senior executives regularly on program status, risks, dependencies, and scaling readiness.
• Lead preparation of metrics, dashboards, and reporting that demonstrate CGC marketplace adoption, usage, benefits, and operational efficiency.
• Represent the program in cross-functional planning and governance forums.

Process Design & Continuous Improvement

• Design, document, and mature CGC marketplace operational processes to support growth, scalability, and consistency.
• Identify opportunities to reduce friction, improve time-to-market, and increase transparency across procurement, usage, and vendor management.
• Establish feedback loops with stakeholders to continuously refine CGC marketplace capabilities and operating models.

Team Growth & Future Scaling

• Contribute to planning for future team design as the CGC marketplace scales.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and mentoring of additional program staff as needed.

Qualifications

Required

• 10 years of experience in program or project management roles supporting U.S. federal IT, cybersecurity, or technology programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, complex programs involving multiple stakeholders and external vendors.
• Proven vendor management experience, including onboarding, performance oversight, and lifecycle management.
• Experience overseeing or supporting large government contracts, budgets, or acquisition activities.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required.
• Strong executive communication skills, including the ability to produce decision memos and brief senior leadership.
• Ability to operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-scaling environments.

Preferred

• Experience working both within the U.S. federal government and in industry-facing program roles.
• Experience serving as or working closely with a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR).
• Familiarity with cybersecurity solutions.
• Security-related certifications a plus, but not required.
• Experience supporting complex ecosystem-based programs.

What Success Looks Like

First 12 Months

• CGC marketplace successfully deployed in one or more environments.
• Initial vendor ecosystem operationalized with repeatable onboarding and lifecycle processes.
• Platform scaled to support increasing vendor participation and usage.
• Mature governance, reporting, and operational processes established.

Differentiators of High Performance

• Ability to bridge procurement realities with modern marketplace operations.
• Strong judgment and executive presence when shaping decisions.
• Proven ability to drive structure and momentum in complex, multi-stakeholder programs.
• Credibility with both government and industry partners.

Success Attributes

• Commitment to personal and professional integrity and respect for others.
• Roll-up-your-sleeves attitude and low-ego approach.
• Commitment to teamwork and professional relationship development.
• Passion for lifelong learning, growth, and development.
• Flexible and nimble; comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change.
• Strong communication and functional project management skills.
• Desire to innovate, try new things, and creatively explore novel solutions to business challenges.
• Professional and respectful approach to the diversity of thought, action, identity, and attributes.

Benefits & Perks

We want to empower and inspire employees to be and do their best. Our workdays are dynamic, collegial, and fun. Our office features multiple places to work unconstrained by typical office barriers. Our wellness package provides access to an on-site gym and includes medical, dental, and vision insurance along with options for FSA and EAP. We offer 401(k) with employer match, unlimited PTO, and a culture respectful of the reality that not everything in one's personal life is guaranteed to happen only after hours.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, local, or international law.