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Executive Program Director Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Reporting to the Executive Program Director, this individual will serve as the program's operational leader, with responsibility for contract execution, program controls, customer coordination ...

Provides the Executive Director with regular updates and reports on all clients. * Prepares and submits monthly reports to the Program Director. * Other projects/duties as assigned by administration ...

Provide executive-level communication regarding program status, delivery risks, performance, and ... Direct experience supporting CMS programs or initiatives is required. * Proven experience managing ...

Serve as the primary executive interface with airport owners, program management teams, and key stakeholders. * Direct multidisciplinary teams consisting of architects, engineers, planners, and ...

Program Director

Springfield, VA · On-site

$154K - $278K/yr

The ideal candidate has directed complex software programs , overseen multi‑discipline teams ... Exceptional written and verbal communication skills spanning technical, operational, and executive ...

Program Director

Sterling, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

... direct authority. * Technical fluency sufficient to review design documentation, evaluate estimates ... teams, executive leadership, and customer stakeholders. Relevant Skills: Program Execution

Program Director

Burke, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

... direct authority. * Technical fluency sufficient to review design documentation, evaluate estimates ... teams, executive leadership, and customer stakeholders. Relevant Skills: Program Execution

Program Director

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

... direct authority. * Technical fluency sufficient to review design documentation, evaluate estimates ... teams, executive leadership, and customer stakeholders. Relevant Skills: Program Execution

Program Director

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

... direct authority. * Technical fluency sufficient to review design documentation, evaluate estimates ... teams, executive leadership, and customer stakeholders. Relevant Skills: Program Execution

Program Director

Springfield, VA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

... direct authority. * Technical fluency sufficient to review design documentation, evaluate estimates ... teams, executive leadership, and customer stakeholders. Relevant Skills: Program Execution

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Executive Program Director information

See Virginia salary details

$11

$23

$37

How much do executive program director jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for executive program director in Virginia is $23.35, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.40 and $25.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an executive program director do?

An Executive Program Director oversees the planning, implementation, and management of large-scale programs within an organization. They are responsible for setting strategic goals, allocating resources, managing teams, and ensuring that projects meet their objectives and deadlines. This role often involves collaborating with stakeholders, monitoring budgets, and evaluating program effectiveness to drive organizational success. Executive Program Directors play a key leadership role and must have strong communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.

How does an executive program director balance strategic oversight with day-to-day operational responsibilities?

As an Executive Program Director, you are expected to maintain a high-level strategic vision while also ensuring smooth program operations. This often involves delegating daily tasks to experienced managers or team leads, allowing you to focus on long-term planning, stakeholder engagement, and resource allocation. Regular check-ins, performance metrics, and cross-functional meetings are essential to keep programs on track and ensure alignment with organizational goals. Striking this balance can be challenging, but it's also an opportunity to lead teams effectively and drive significant impact across the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an executive program director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Executive Program Director, you need extensive leadership experience, strategic planning abilities, and a strong educational background, often with an advanced degree in management or a related field. Familiarity with project management tools, budgeting systems, and reporting software like MS Project or Salesforce is typically required. Exceptional communication, decision-making, and stakeholder management skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies are crucial for aligning complex programs with organizational goals, ensuring successful execution, and leading cross-functional teams effectively.

What is the difference between Executive Program Director vs Program Manager?

AspectExecutive Program DirectorProgram Manager
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (e.g., MBA), extensive experience in program leadership, and industry-specific certificationsUsually holds a bachelor's degree, with some roles preferring certifications like PMP
Work EnvironmentStrategic leadership in large organizations, overseeing multiple projects and teamsOperational management of specific projects or programs within organizations
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in corporate, government, and non-profit sectors for high-level program oversightUsed across various industries for day-to-day project execution and coordination

The main difference between an Executive Program Director and a Program Manager lies in scope and seniority. The Executive Program Director focuses on strategic oversight and leadership of multiple programs at an organizational level, often requiring advanced credentials. In contrast, the Program Manager handles specific projects, ensuring their successful delivery within scope, time, and budget. Both roles are vital but differ significantly in responsibilities and organizational impact.

What are the most commonly searched types of Executive Program jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Executive Program jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Executive Program Director jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Executive Program Director job openings:

Program Manager

Reston, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead the day-to-day management and execution of the program, ensuring contractual requirements, milestones, and deliverables are met.

  • Develop, maintain, and manage the program's integrated master schedule, including risks, dependencies, and mitigation plans.

  • Coordinate with OEM, subcontractors, and stakeholders to manage external dependencies, schedule, and program performance.


Job description

Who Are We?
Groundswell is a premier technology integrator and solution provider, resolutely committed to solving the most complex challenges facing federal agencies today. Our name, Groundswell, represents our commitment to be an unstoppable, seismic change in government. Ours is a small company culture with big company reach and results. Are you ready to be audacious, be bold and drive change at a rapid pace? Join us, where we'll make a greater impact together.
What You'll do:
Groundswell is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the day-to-day management and execution of a flagship Intelligence Community modernization program. Reporting to the Executive Program Director, this individual will serve as the program's operational leader, with responsibility for contract execution, program controls, customer coordination, financial performance, integrated schedule management, risk and dependency management, subcontractor performance, and coordination with OEM and government stakeholders.
While the Executive Program Manager provides executive oversight, strategic direction, and senior customer engagement, the Program Manager will be responsible for the daily operation and execution of the program. This individual will ensure Groundswell meets contractual requirements, Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) performance standards, milestones, deliverables, financial commitments, and customer expectations.
The Program Manager will work closely with the OEM Program Management Office (PMO) to manage cross-program dependencies, schedules, risks, and decisions that could impact Groundswell's delivery commitments. The Program Manager will also provide leadership and oversight to Groundswell's Workday Delivery Lead and other functional and technical workstream leaders, ensuring individual delivery efforts remain aligned with the overall program plan.
This role is designed to assume increasing program leadership responsibility as the program matures and transitions from initial implementation and establishment into steady-state program execution.
Key Responsibilities:
Program & Contract Execution
  • Lead the day-to-day execution and management of the task order under the strategic direction and executive oversight of the Executive Program Manager.

  • Manage compliance with contract terms, requirements, performance standards, and customer commitments.

  • Manage contractual deliverables, milestones, reporting requirements, and Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) performance measures.

  • Establish and maintain the program's operating cadence, governance processes, performance reporting, and management controls.

  • Ensure contract deliverables are completed, reviewed, submitted, and tracked through customer acceptance.

  • Coordinate across technical and functional workstreams to ensure execution remains aligned with contractual requirements and program objectives.

  • Serve as the primary escalation point for day-to-day program execution issues.

Integrated Schedule, Risk & Dependency Management
  • Develop, maintain, and manage the program Integrated Master Schedule (IMS), incorporating Groundswell, subcontractor, OEM, customer, and other external milestones and dependencies.

  • Lead program-level risk, issue, dependency, action, and decision management processes.

  • Identify cross-workstream and external dependencies that could affect program milestones, contractual commitments, cost, or performance.

  • Develop and drive mitigation and contingency plans for program-level risks and schedule impacts.

  • Coordinate with the Workday Delivery Lead and other workstream leaders to incorporate detailed delivery plans and milestones into the overall IMS.

  • Escalate significant risks, issues, decisions, and potential contractual impacts to the Executive Program Manager and government leadership as appropriate.

OEM & External Dependency Management
  • Serve as the primary day-to-day program management interface with the OEM PMO.

  • Coordinate schedules, milestones, dependencies, risks, issues, and decisions between Groundswell and the OEM program.

  • Assess changes to OEM plans and schedules for potential impacts to Groundswell's scope, IMS, resources, deliverables, and contractual milestones.

  • Drive timely resolution of cross-organizational dependencies and issues involving Groundswell, the OEM, subcontractors, and government stakeholders.

  • Maintain clear visibility into external dependencies and proactively communicate potential impacts to program leadership and the customer.

Financial & Contract Performance
  • Manage day-to-day program financial performance, including budgets, forecasts, staffing plans, burn rates, and cost performance.

  • Coordinate and oversee program invoicing activities to ensure accurate and timely billing in accordance with contractual requirements.

  • Monitor actual and forecasted performance against program financial objectives and identify potential variances.

  • Partner with Groundswell contracts, finance, and corporate leadership to address financial and contractual issues.

  • Provide the Executive Program Manager with regular visibility into program financial health and areas requiring executive action.

Customer & Program Governance
  • Serve as a primary day-to-day interface with government program leadership and stakeholders.

  • Lead recurring program status reviews, schedule reviews, risk reviews, performance reviews, and other program governance forums.

  • Prepare and deliver program-level reporting covering schedule, contractual performance, financials, staffing, risks, dependencies, deliverables, and required decisions.

  • Support the Executive Program Manager in executive-level customer engagements, strategic discussions, and escalations.

  • Build trusted relationships with government stakeholders through transparency, responsiveness, and disciplined program execution.

Team, Subcontractor & Delivery Oversight
  • Provide operational leadership across Groundswell's technical, functional, cybersecurity, program management, and operational workstreams.

  • Provide management oversight to the Workday Delivery Lead and other workstream leaders while maintaining clear accountability for their respective areas of delivery.

  • Manage subcontractor performance at the program level, including contractual commitments, staffing, schedules, deliverables, dependencies, and overall performance.

  • Coordinate with subcontractor leadership to resolve performance issues and maintain alignment with program requirements.

  • Ensure delivery teams have the priorities, resources, decisions, and support necessary to meet program commitments.

  • Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, transparency, customer focus, and delivery excellence.

Executive Program Manager Partnership
  • Serve as the principal deputy to the Executive Program Manager and act on their behalf for day-to-day program execution.

  • Maintain continuous visibility for the Executive Program Manager into program health, customer concerns, financial performance, contractual matters, risks, and decisions requiring executive attention.

  • Translate executive program direction into actionable plans and ensure execution across the program organization.

  • Assume program leadership responsibilities when delegated by the Executive Program Manager.

  • Support the evolution of program governance, operating models, and leadership responsibilities as the program matures.

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in information systems, Engineering, Business, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

  • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required. Equivalent certification, such as DAWIA Level Three in Program Management, may be acceptable.

  • 10+ years of experience managing complex Federal technology programs, task orders, or enterprise system implementations.

  • Experience supporting Intelligence Community (IC) and/or Department of Defense (DoD) programs.

  • Demonstrated experience managing Federal contract requirements, deliverables, performance measures, and customer commitments.

  • Demonstrated experience developing and managing Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), program-level risks, issues, dependencies, and corrective actions.

  • Experience managing program financials, including budgets, forecasts, staffing, cost performance, and invoicing.

  • Experience coordinating complex dependencies across government customers, OEMs, subcontractors, and delivery organizations.

  • Experience managing subcontractor and vendor performance in Federal or other highly regulated environments.

  • Strong leadership, communication, executive presentation, organization, and relationship management skills.

  • Demonstrated ability to operate independently, make sound program decisions, and appropriately escalate risks, issues, and decisions in a complex customer environment.

  • Must be a US Citizen per contract requirements
  • Active Top Secret (TS) clearance required with the ability to obtain and maintain TS/SCI access and Counter Intelligence (CI) Polygraph. Candidates who currently hold an active TS/SCI clearance with CI Polygraph will receive priority consideration.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience managing large-scale enterprise ERP or HCM implementations, preferably Workday.

  • Experience supporting Intelligence Community programs within highly secure customer environments.

  • Experience coordinating program schedules, milestones, risks, and dependencies with an OEM or external Program Management Office (PMO).

  • Experience managing contract performance against Quality Assurance Surveillance Plans (QASPs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), or similar performance standards.

  • Experience with Earned Value Management (EVM), cost and schedule performance analysis, and program forecasting.

  • Experience supporting programs through Risk Management Framework (RMF) and Authority to Operate (ATO) processes.

  • Familiarity with the Workday implementation lifecycle and methodology.

Work Location & Travel Requirements
  • Must be local to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and willing to work onsite within customer SCIF environments a minimum of four (4) days per week.

  • Approximately 5% travel within the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region is required.

  • Occasional non-standard work hours may be required to support mission and program needs.

Skills:
Certification:
Project Management Professional (PMP)® Certification - PMI
Why You'll Never Want to Leave:
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • 4% 401K Match (immediate vesting)
  • Paid Time Off
  • Tuition reimbursement, certification programs, and professional development
  • Flexible work schedule
  • On-site gym and childcare option

The salary range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. At Groundswell, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
$183,760.00 - $308,181.00
NOTE: Groundswell does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Groundswell, and Groundswell will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.
Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Read a copy of the Company's Non-Discrimination Policy Statement.
Additional Resources:
  • EO 13496 Notification of Employee Rights under NLRA
  • Know your rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Disability Accessibility Accommodation: If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us at hr@gswell.com or 703-639-1777.