Zachary Orend

Background

About Zachary Orend

I am a national security-focused program and project manager with 18 years of experience leading high-profile/high-impact federal programs, including up to $40M annual portfolios in conflict-affected and politically sensitive regions. I’ve spent 8 years on the ground in Central America and Pakistan and 10 years managing sensitive remote operations in South America. I bring a track record of leading complex portfolios through agile, results-driven approaches—ensuring strategic alignment, compliance, and impact in some of the world’s most challenging environments. I excel in fast-paced, agile environments delivering customer-focused national security services—and I’m looking to bring my strategic project management expertise to a consulting team working on domestic or international projects. I offer: Results-Driven Program and Project Management Apply iterative, agile methodologies to keep federal programs responsive to leadership priorities and aligned with defined objectives. Strategic Planning Develop strategic plans spanning 6 months to 3 years aligning staffing, contract portfolios, and budgets for activities in fluid, high-risk environments impacted by transnational criminal organizations and hostile state actors. Technical/Servant Leadership Lead and mentor teams of up to 7 staff to oversee up to 12 contracts and grants to deliver program and organizational outcomes. Contract Management Eleven years' experience competing, negotiating, managing compliance, budgeting, cost control and reshaping of federal contracts with up to 50 staff/subcontractors and annual operating budgets of up to $10M. Project Representation and Community Building through Stakeholder Engagement Liaise with government leaders at national, state, municipal and local levels; foreign business and philanthropic leaders and associations; and international and local NGOs to promote project growth and adaptation, minimize risks and identify and advance mutual objectives. Effective Communications for Managers/Leaders Deliver clear, executive-level communication—including written and oral briefs to up to Deputy Administrator-level officials—synthesizing key operational and political context, competing perspectives, and actionable recommendations- Native English speaker; fluent in Spanish and Portuguese (spoken, read, and written)- Active TS/SCI security clearance - Certified Contracting Officer’s Representative