Project Manager – Armed Cleared Security Operations

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead and oversee a security services contract supporting armed cleared officers in a high-security environment. This individual will be responsible for managing day-to-day contract execution, ensuring compliance with customer requirements, maintaining operational readiness, and leading personnel and subcontractor performance.

The ideal candidate has strong experience managing government or commercial security programs involving cleared personnel, armed protective services, access control, force protection, or related physical security operations. This role requires a leader who can balance client engagement, operational discipline, compliance, staffing coordination, reporting, and continuous process improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage overall contract performance for a program supporting armed cleared officers.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the customer, company leadership, and internal support teams.

• Oversee daily operations to ensure all posts are staffed, compliant, and executed in accordance with contract requirements.

• Supervise site leadership and ensure effective management of armed cleared officers and any supporting personnel.

• Monitor contract deliverables, schedules, staffing levels, training status, and performance metrics.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, customer, and company policies related to armed security operations.

• Maintain oversight of licensing, certifications, weapons qualifications, clearance status, and required training for all assigned personnel.

• Coordinate closely with recruiting, HR, security, training, and operations teams to support hiring, onboarding, retention, and backfill planning.

• Review and validate timesheets, labor utilization, overtime, and staffing efficiency.

• Identify operational risks and develop mitigation plans to ensure uninterrupted mission support.

• Prepare and deliver recurring status reports, incident reports, staffing updates, and customer briefings.

• Support inspections, audits, and quality assurance reviews.

• Lead issue resolution involving personnel performance, post coverage, customer concerns, and compliance matters.

• Manage subcontractor performance if applicable, ensuring alignment with contract requirements and service standards.

• Recommend and implement process improvements to strengthen service delivery, accountability, and program performance.

• Bachelor’s degree in business, criminal justice, security management, project management, or related field; equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

• 7+ years of project, program, or operations management experience.

• 3+ years of experience managing security operations, protective services, guard force operations, or comparable high-security programs.

• Experience supporting contracts involving armed personnel.

• Experience managing cleared personnel in a government, federal, defense, intelligence, or critical infrastructure environment.

• Active [Secret / Top Secret / TS/SCI] clearance.

• Strong knowledge of contract performance management, staffing oversight, compliance, and customer relationship management.

• Experience with incident response, escalation management, and operational reporting.

• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

• Experience managing armed security contracts for federal agencies, defense contractors, SCIFs, secure facilities, or other cleared environments.

• Familiarity with use-of-force policies, weapons qualification tracking, and guard force readiness programs.

• Experience with subcontractor management and multi-site operations.

• Knowledge of labor planning, scheduling, and contract financial oversight.

• Prior military, law enforcement, or security operations leadership experience.

Core Competencies

• Contract and program execution

• Leadership and accountability

• Armed security operations oversight

• Customer engagement

• Risk management

• Compliance and quality assurance

• Personnel management

• Problem-solving and decision-making

• Communication and reporting

• Operational planning and coordination

Physical / Work Requirements

• Ability to visit operational sites and conduct inspections as needed.

• May require occasional after-hours availability to address urgent operational issues.

• Must meet any customer and company requirements for access to secure locations.

Cencore Group is a reputable security services provider specializing in access control, physical security, and risk management solutions. As a leading organization in the industry, we deliver comprehensive security services to government agencies, defense contractors, corporate clients, and critical infrastructure facilities. We are currently seeking a highly motivated and qualified Project Manager with a Top-Secret security clearance or higher to join our dedicated team.

Cencore Group is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. We offer a competitive salary, benefits package, and opportunities for professional growth. If you possess the necessary qualifications and a Top-Secret security clearance or higher, we encourage you to apply for the position of Project Manager with our esteemed organization.