Program Manager Contract Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Public Trust Eligibility Required (Active Top-Secret Clearance Preferred )

About Aretum

Aretum is a mission-driven organization committed to delivering innovative, technology-enabled solutions to our customers across defense, civilian, and homeland security sectors. Our teams work at the intersection of strategy, technology, and transformation, helping agencies solve their most critical challenges. We believe in investing in our people and creating a culture where collaboration, inclusion, and professional growth are at the forefront.

Job Summary

Aretum is seeking an experienced Program Manager to support federal personnel security, vetting, and clearance-related programs. This role is responsible for leading program operations, stakeholder communications, compliance oversight, surge planning, and process improvement initiatives in support of large-scale federal security programs. The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience supporting personnel vetting and clearance adjudication environments for large federal agencies, including populations comparable in size and complexity to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Due to the nature of our work as a federal consulting organization, employees may be expected to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and must adhere to applicable safeguarding and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage personnel security, vetting, and clearance-related program operations in support of large federal agencies.

• Oversee teams supporting background investigations, personnel vetting, clearance adjudications, onboarding, and related federal security workflows.

• Lead stakeholder communications and change management efforts, including the development of memos, FAQs, briefing materials, and leadership updates.

• Ensure program activities align with federal personnel security requirements, agency expectations, contract requirements, and applicable policies.

• Support initiatives related to Trusted Workforce Core Doctrine and evolving federal personnel vetting requirements.

• Manage contract compliance, performance reporting, service level agreements, deliverables, and operational quality standards.

• Develop and maintain surge operations and contingency plans to support volume increases, urgent requirements, and system outages.

• Enforce security, privacy, records management, and compliance requirements across program workflows and deliverables.

• Identify opportunities to improve processes, increase operational efficiency, and strengthen program execution.

• Support training, knowledge transfer, and standardization of procedures across program teams.

• Collaborate with government stakeholders, internal leadership, and cross-functional teams to resolve issues and maintain program continuity.

• Monitor risks, escalate concerns appropriately, and support corrective action planning as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree

• Public Trust Eligibility

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience supporting federal personnel security, personnel vetting, clearance adjudications, background investigations, program management, or related security programs.

• Minimum of 5 years of demonstrated functional and technical experience in the Personnel Security/Vetting industry within the Federal Government.

• Experience supporting agencies with the same or similar scope, scale, and complexity as the Department of Veterans Affairs, including federal, contractor, and affiliate populations.

• Demonstrated experience managing or supporting contract compliance, service level agreements, deliverables, reporting, and federal security program requirements.

• Experience supporting stakeholder communications, change management, briefing materials, policy updates, or leadership communications.

• Knowledge of federal personnel security, onboarding, clearance, suitability, privacy, and records management requirements.

• Demonstrated expertise or working knowledge of current initiatives involving Trusted Workforce Core Doctrine.

• Ability to work onsite as required by the position and customer requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance

• Project Management Professional certification.

• Experience supporting federal agencies such as VA, USDA, DOJ, or similar large-scale federal organizations.

• Experience leading surge operations, contingency planning, or high-volume personnel security workflows.

• Experience developing training materials, process documentation, SOPs, FAQs, or executive-level briefing materials.

• Strong background in process improvement, operational standardization, and navigating complex government onboarding and security protocols.

EEO Statement

Aretum is committed to fostering a workplace rooted in excellence, integrity, and equal opportunity for all. We adhere to merit-based hiring practices, ensuring that all employment decisions are made based on qualifications, skills, and ability to perform the job, without preference or consideration of factors unrelated to job performance.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Aretum complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.

We are proud to support our nation’s veterans and military families, providing career opportunities that honor their service and experience.

If you require reasonable accommodation during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact hr@aretum.com for assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

U.S. Work Authorization

This position requires the ability to work in the United States in accordance with applicable federal contract requirements.

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)

• Retirement Plan (401k)

• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)

• Paid Time Off

• Family Leave (Maternity, Paternity)

• Short Term & Long-Term Disability

• Training & Development