Federal Account Delivery Manager in San Francisco, California at Thunder

Federal Account Delivery Manager (Engagement Manager)
Location: DC Metro Area (preferred) or Remote US
Thunder Federal is looking for a Federal Delivery Manager who is equal parts operator, relationship builder, and growth driver. You will own the full delivery arc of federal engagements — from contract award through value realization — and you will be rewarded when those engagements expand and close new work.
This is not a project coordination role. You are the executive-facing owner of client outcomes, accountable for delivering health, scope integrity, and the trust that converts a single task order into a long-term agency partnership. You understand how federal agencies buy, how they measure success, and how to navigate the layered stakeholder environment that defines government program management.
Thunder Federal is a growth-stage federal practice. We are looking for someone who wants to build, not just execute — someone who sees every engagement as a platform for expanding our footprint across the federal civilian and defense landscape.
WHAT YOU’LL OWN:
Federal Engagement Leadership• Serve as the client-facing delivery lead on active federal engagements, operating as the primary point of accountability for outcomes, timelines, and trust• Own the delivery relationship with Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs), Program Managers, and agency executives• Navigate federal contracting environments — IDIQ task orders, BPA calls, T&M and FFP structures — and ensure delivery posture aligns with contract requirements• Maintain delivery quality in environments with FedRAMP, FISMA, and ATO constraints
Growth & Expansion• Identify expansion opportunities within active engagements and partner with Thunder Federal’s BD team to advance them through the pipeline• Build and maintain relationships across agency stakeholders that generate referrals and follow-on work• Participate in capture and proposal activities for new task orders and recompetes on accounts you manage• You will be eligible for a deal bonus on every opportunity you contribute to that closes — your knowledge of the client is a competitive advantage and we want to reward you for using it
Delivery & Scope Integrity• Ensure engagements are delivered on time, within scope, and at target margin• Confirm agency readiness, defined acceptance criteria, and stakeholder alignment before work begins• Monitor burn vs. progress, surface risks early, and own mitigation through resolution• Uphold scope governance and change control discipline appropriate for federal contracting environments
Value Realization & Risk Management• Define measurable success metrics tied to agency mission outcomes, not just technical deliverables• Lead business value discussions that connect delivery outputs to agency strategic goals• Own risk identification and mitigation planning, including security, compliance, and political risk within the agency• Validate that execution remains aligned to the outcomes promised during pursuit
Account Health & Executive Confidence• Monitor stakeholder sentiment at all levels — technical, program, and executive — and act on early signals• Lead or participate in executive briefings, program reviews, and QBRs• Think beyond the current task order to the broader agency relationship and Thunder’s long-term positioning• Leave every account stronger than you found it
WHO YOU AREYou have spent meaningful time inside federal program delivery — whether as a government contractor, a consulting firm delivery lead, or an agency program manager who moved to industry. You understand how federal agencies operate, how contracting shapes delivery, and how trust is built and lost in the government environment.
You are comfortable with ambiguity, energized by growth, and motivated by the intersection of service delivery and business development. You do not wait to be told there is a problem. You go find it.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS• 5+ years of delivery or program management experience on federal government contracts or programs• Direct experience managing federal client relationships at the COR, Program Manager, or SES level• Familiarity with federal acquisition frameworks: FAR/DFARS, IDIQ/BPA/GWACs, and common contract types (T&M, FFP, CPFF)• Track record of successfully delivering complex, multi-stakeholder programs in government environments• Strong executive presence and the ability to manage difficult conversations with federal clients proactively• Experience identifying and advancing expansion opportunities within active engagements• Willingness to travel for program reviews, kickoffs, and BD activities (estimated 5-30%)• U.S. citizenship required; ability to obtain or maintain a federal security clearance preferred
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS• Active or current federal security clearance (Secret or above)• Experience with DoD, Intelligence Community, or federal civilian agency programs• Background in technology modernization, digital transformation, or enterprise IT programs• PMP, FAC-P/PM, or equivalent federal program management certification• Experience supporting or leading proposal development for federal task orders or prime contracts• Familiarity with Salesforce or other Software-as-a-Service platforms (a plus, not a requirement)
Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If most of this job description describes you, then we encourage you to please apply for this role. Thunder is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer, and is deeply committed to building and supporting our diverse team through inclusive, equitable hiring practices.
Thunder does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. All resumes submitted by recruitment agencies to any employee via email, the Internet (including LinkedIn), or directly without a fully-executed search agreement will be deemed the sole property of Thunder, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired.