Senior Staff Consultant

Overview

At Credence, we support our clients’ mission-critical needs, powered by technology. We provide cutting-edge solutions, including AI/ML, enterprise modernization, and advanced intelligence capabilities, to the largest defense and health federal organizations. Through partnership and trust, we increase mission success for war-fighters and secure our nation for a better future.

We are privately held, are repeatedly recognized as a top place to work, and have been on the Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies list for the last 12 years. We practice servant leadership and believe that by focusing on the success of our clients, team members, and partners, we all achieve greater success. 

Credence has an immediate need for a Senior Staff Consultant at the Pentagon supporting Air Combat Command (HQ ACC) Directorate of Cyberspace Operations and Warfighting Communications (A6) Zero Trust (ZT) Functional Management Office (FMO/CNZ). This position supports the DAF Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). The CISO is responsible for protecting the Department's digital assets, ensuring the security of its information technology systems, and providing policy and governance for cybersecurity and risk management for both the Air Force and the Space Force. Additionally, the CISO: 

• Provides leadership and policy guidance for the Department's cybersecurity and risk management programs. 
• Develops, implements, and enforces cybersecurity policies, standards, and guidelines. 
• Manages governance and compliance frameworks to mitigate risks and protect Department of the Air Force systems. 
• Ensures compliance with congressional mandates, statutory requirements, and departmental regulations.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in business or IT, a deep understanding of DoD governance and infrastructure, and the ability to navigate complex policy environments. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the duties listed below

• Lead strategic consulting engagements focused on Air Force and DoD enterprise infrastructure, governance, and modernization. 
• Provide expert guidance on compliance with DoD policies, cybersecurity frameworks, and enterprise architecture standards. 
• Supervise and direct the efforts of multidisciplinary teams on complex, high-impact projects. 
• Develop and present executive-level briefings, reports, and strategic recommendations. 
• Collaborate with stakeholders to drive innovation, risk mitigation, and mission alignment. 
• Assist in the development of policy, directives, memorandums, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), Concepts of Employment (CONEMP), Implementation Plans (I-Plans) and other documentation to support cyber security, cyber operations capability employment, governance, oversight, risk management, strategy, command and control, failover and support to sections of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, NIST ZT guidance, DoD ZT Architecture, and other Federal Government documents and regulations.  
• Assist with the development and implementation of Information Protection processes, procedures, and technology requirements, to include creating and managing a baseline configuration of technology (e.g. Enterprise IT, Weapons Systems, Industrial Control Systems), System Development Life Cycle (SDLC), configuration change control processes, and policy and regulations regarding the physical operating environment for organizational assets to achieve resilience requirements in normal and adverse situations with a focus on ZT principals and intent.  
• Maintain knowledge of current guidance, policies, laws, and regulations; communicate updates and incorporate them into existing enterprise strategies affected by ZT.  
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and deliver Zero Trust focused cybersecurity awareness, role-based, and operational training and education, including realistic cyber training and exercise scenarios and objectives.  
• Coordinate and collaborate with various portfolio managers and program offices for all systems maintained and/or used by the DAF. For new systems, advise and assist Government leads with researching and documenting ZT requirements, and validating/using data, reports, and other outputs from existing systems to define and document system ZT architecture deficiencies.  
• Support the development of executive level briefings and metrics for monitoring and oversight for ZT, including reporting to Congress, Office of the Secretary of Defense, DoD, and DAF senior leaders.  
• Design/develop and provide broad-based communications and change management support for program management, financial management, business process improvement, and process standardization.  
• Establish and operate capabilities within ZT FMO to coordinate, track, and drive activities in support of the ZT Roadmaps and other guidance in conjunction with the Secretary of the Air Force (SAF) Office of the Chief Information Officer (SAF/CN).  
• Establish capabilities to ingest strategic roadmaps, generate capability-specific Implementation Plans (I-Plans), and track milestones and deliverables in accordance with the Iplans.  
• Conduct assessments of existing ZT activities and systems and provide recommendations to align to the DAF ZT Roadmap.  
• Provide advice and recommendations regarding implementation/execution options and opportunities for program and capability convergence.  
• Establish capability to support ZT transition activities and to integrate ZT activities into Capability Planning Guidance (CPG) implementation oversight and reporting. 

Education, Requirements and Qualifications

• Active secret security clearance required. 
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, or a related STEM field. 
• IAM Level II/III certification (or equivalent) certification. 
• Minimum 8 years of IT experience, including: 
• Supervising or directing the efforts of other staff on complex projects. 
• Experience with Air Force or DoD enterprise infrastructure, governance, policies, and procedures. 
• Strong understanding of DoD cybersecurity and compliance frameworks (e.g., RMF, NIST, DISA STIGs). 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree and/or advanced certifications (e.g., PMP, ITIL, Cloud). 
• Experience with AF Enterprise IT, Zero Trust architecture, or cloud migration in a defense context. 
• Familiarity with Agile methodologies and digital transformation initiatives in federal environments. 
• Certified Zero Trust Strategist (ZTS) – Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) and/or NIST Zero Trust Architecture Training and/or Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert and/or MIT xPro – Zero Trust Strategy certifications  
• Artificial Intelligence training or certification  

Please join us, as together we build a better world one mission at a time powered by Technology and its People!

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