Director, Operations and Strategy, Risk and Security

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.

Job Description:

Director, Operations and Strategy, Risk and Security

Parsons is looking for an exceptional operations and strategy leader to join our Risk and Security organization. In this role, you will serve as the strategic and operational partner to the Chief Security and Risk Officer, running the rhythm of the business and directing an integrated function spanning the PMO, its Security Culture and Awareness program, BISO engagements, and Shared Services. You will translate enterprise strategy into an executable roadmap, orchestrate cross-functional delivery, and provide leadership with clear visibility into priorities, performance, and resource trade-offs. This role blends the discipline of a business operations executive with the influence, judgment, and cross-functional orchestration the Risk and Security organization needs to move fast and deliver measurable value.

This candidate will enjoy a hybrid work arrangement out of either our Chantilly or Centreville, Virginia office.

What You'll Be Doing:

Strategy

• Serve as a strategic advisor and operational partner to the Risk and Security leadership team, working closely with the CSRO to advance strategic priorities.

• Drive the leadership rhythm of business, including planning and coordination for key engagements with business partners and other relevant stakeholders.

• Lead and facilitate meetings with senior executives, drive security outreach and awareness efforts, and prepare executive briefings, decision memoranda, and board- or committee-ready materials while tracking commitments and follow-through.

• Translate enterprise and security strategy into a multi-year roadmap, annual operating plan, and measurable operational initiatives.

Roadmap Management

• Lead enterprise intake and portfolio governance for Risk and Security initiatives, operating stage gates, prioritization, and value realization practices

• Manage program controls, delivery health, interdependencies, resource capacity, milestone tracking, and executive reporting

• Standardize delivery approaches across waterfall, agile, and hybrid execution models where appropriate

• Elevate decisions based on risk, outcomes, constraints, and business value

Security Culture and Awareness

• Direct the enterprise security culture and awareness program

• Oversee awareness campaigns, role-based training, and phishing, smishing, and vishing simulation programs

• Partner with the Human Risk Management function to translate human risk insights into targeted awareness and behavior change initiatives

• Measure behavior change and awareness effectiveness and report outcomes to leadership

Executive Planning

• Direct the BISO function as the bridge between the Risk and Security organization and the business lines it supports

• Embed security and risk requirements into business unit planning, initiatives, and decision-making

• Translate enterprise security priorities into business-relevant guidance and carry business-line context back into the security organization

• Provide executive visibility into business-line security posture, risk acceptance, and remediation progress

Operating Model Management

• Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and cost transparency for the Risk and Security organization

• Manage vendor relationships, contracts, and tooling and platform investments, and identify optimization opportunities

• Direct data and reporting operations, executive dashboards, and reporting automation

• Drive business enablement, documentation standards, and operational discipline across the function

Change, Communications, and Special Programs

• Lead organizational change management for strategic Risk and Security programs to drive adoption and value realization

• Shape executive messaging for leadership updates, all-hands communications, and enterprise change initiatives

• Lead special programs sponsored by the CSRO, including operating model redesign, transformation, and M and A or security integration support

What Required Skills You'll Bring:

• Strategic planning and operating model design

• Portfolio, program, and PMO governance expertise

• Executive presence and organizational leadership

• Organizational design and operating model development

• Exceptional executive communication and executive storytelling

• Strong stakeholder influence and cross-functional facilitation skills

• Financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and cost transparency

• Strong judgment, discretion, and the ability to manage sensitive matters

• Ability to convert ambiguity into structure, action, and measurable outcomes

• Enterprise governance

• Financial acumen

• Risk-based prioritization

What Desired Skills You'll Bring:

• Prior experience in a business operation, strategy and operations, or transformation role supporting senior executives

• Familiarity with security awareness and human risk management programs

• Experience with BISO or business-facing security engagement models

• Experience with vendor management and tooling oversight across platforms such as ServiceNow, Jira and JSM, PPM suites, and GRC platforms

• Experience with M and A diligence, Day 1 planning, and integration governance

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Cybersecurity, Information Technology, Risk Management, Business Administration, or a related field required; equivalent practical experience may be considered

• Master's degree preferred, such as an MBA, MIS, Cybersecurity, or Risk Management discipline

Experience:

• 10+ years of progressively responsible leadership experience in cybersecurity, enterprise risk, technology, strategy, business operations, or related functions, including experience leading cross-functional organizations.

• Experience partnering directly with C-suite executives to develop strategy, governance, operational planning, executive communications, and organizational execution.

• Demonstrated success building operating models, governance forums, executive reporting, and portfolio management disciplines

• Experience supporting senior executives in a business operations, strategy and transformation role strongly preferred

Preferred Certifications:

• ITIL 4 Managing Professional or Strategic Leader

• PMP, PMI-ACP, or SAFe, or an equivalent Agile certification

• Prosci or equivalent organizational change management certification

• Security certifications such as CISSP, CISM, or CRISC are a plus

Security Clearance Requirement:

NoneThis position is part of our Corporate team.For over 80 years, Parsons Corporation, has shaped the future of the defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure markets. Our employees work in a close-knit team environment to find new, innovative ways to deliver smart solutions that are used and valued by customers around the world. By combining unique technologies with deep domain expertise across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, transportation, smart cities, and more, we're providing tomorrow's solutions today.Salary Range: $148,300.00 - $266,900.00We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle!This position will be posted for a minimum of 3 days and will continue to be posted for an average of 30 days until a qualified applicant is selected or the position has been cancelled.Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status.We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!

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