Director of Federal Programs

Waséyabek Federal Group (WFG) is a Division of Waséyabek Development Company, LLC (WDC), a wholly owned economic investment company by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP), a federally recognized Indian Tribe. WDC is committed to fostering the development of a stable, diversified economy for members of the Band which will contribute to their long-term wealth and economic self-sufficiency while managing risk and creating quality employment opportunities.

WFG is worth $17 million and is made up of approximately 385 employees, providing leading solutions and services to the Department of Energy (DoE) and Department of Defense (DoD) across multiple service lines including Operations & Maintenance, Professional Services, Environmental Services, and IT & Cybersecurity.

Position Summary

The Director of Federal Programs is responsible for the successful execution, operational performance, and customer satisfaction of assigned contracts within the Waséyabek Federal Group portfolio. Reporting to the Vice President of Operations and Maintenance, this role provides oversight of Program Managers, project teams, and site leadership to ensure contractual compliance, operational excellence, workforce engagement, and financial performance.

The Director serves as the primary operational leader for assigned programs, partnering closely with customers, subcontractors, and internal shared services teams to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality services across Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DOE), and other federal programs.

Responsibilities:

• Provide operational leadership and oversight for assigned programs and contracts.
• Serve as the Technical SME and provide consultative support to our customers
• Ensure contract requirements, performance standards, and customer expectations are consistently achieved.
• Partner with Program Managers and site leadership to monitor program execution, staffing, risk management, and operational performance.
• Support contract startup, transition, mobilization, and closeout activities.
• Identify operational risks and implement corrective actions and mitigation strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Serve as a senior point of contact for government customers and key stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships through proactive communication and responsive service delivery.
• Monitor contract performance metrics and ensure compliance with contractual service level requirements.
• Support contract modifications, option year planning, and customer growth opportunities.
• Participate in program reviews, customer meetings, and executive briefings.
• Support responsibility for program profitability, revenue performance, and operational budgets.
• Monitor KPIs related to quality, schedule, safety, cost, profit, and customer satisfaction.
• Lead, mentor, and develop Program Managers, Site Managers, Supervisors, and operational personnel.
• Support workforce planning, succession planning, recruiting, retention, and employee development initiatives.
• Support programs operating under Service Contract Act (SCA) requirements and Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs).
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations, FAR requirements, contract requirements, company policies, and safety standards.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, accountability, teamwork, and customer service.
• Provide operational expertise during proposal development, capture efforts, and contract transition planning.
• Support organic growth initiatives within existing customer accounts.

Minimum Qualifications

• US Citizen.

• A minimum of ten years of progressive leadership experience in the Federal industry to include technical programs.
• A minimum of five years of experience working with 8(a) or other small business entities on Federal projects.
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Computer Science, Business Administration, or other relevant technical discipline.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Top Secret or Q Clearance.
• Advanced knowledge of government agency regulations, proposal writing, and standards/protocols regarding operations, logistics and resource utilization.
• Prior experience in re-badging Federal employees.
• Expert proficiency in verbal and written communication with internal and external stakeholders at all career levels.
• Strong leadership capability with proven track record of developing talent through leading by example and modelling “do what it takes attitude and ability to get into the details” behavior.
• Ability to quickly adapt focus, adjust schedule and solve problems to meet evolving situations.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Master of Business Administration.
• Project Management Professional PMP Certification.
• Current Clearance (S or TS).
• DoW and DoE experience
• OCONUS Experience.
• Prior experience in business development and/or sales with proven track record of developing strong customer relationships and negotiating complex deals.
• Ability to quickly adapt focus, adjust schedule and solve problems to meet evolving work demands and needs of supervisor and other stakeholders.
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also work independently and balance multiple competing priorities and tasks.

Physical Requirements/Location:

This job operates in a professional office environment. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• This is a remote/hybrid position.
• Flexibility related to work hours as project demands arise.
• Occasionally required to move 5 – 25 pounds.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary computer position for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to use hands and fingers to type.
• Must be able to reach with hands and arms for using a computer.

Travel Requirements:

Ability to travel up to 30% of the time. The travel may be local or national and may be by car, rail, or air.