Senior Policy & Governance Advisor (TS/SCI)

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next!   At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what’s possible.   Job Description: Parsons is looking for an amazingly talented Senior Policy & Governance Advisor to join our team! In this role you will support the development, and coordination of formal policy, governance frameworks, and executive-level communications that enable the adoption of data and AI capabilities across the Joint Force. This individual will manage and respond to ETMS2 taskers, translate DoD and Joint Staff guidance into actionable implementation artifacts, and provide direct support to the Chief AI Officer and IPA lead through decision briefs, information papers, and strategic recommendations. They will integrate across Joint Staff directorates, Combatant Commands, Services, and OSD stakeholders to ensure alignment of AI and data initiatives, while establishing governance processes, tracking compliance, and supporting audit readiness. What You'll Be Doing: Lead development, coordination, and staffing of Joint Staff-level policy, directives, white papers, CONOPS, and governance frameworks aligned to data, AI/ML, and digital transformation priorities Manage and respond to congressional taskers, ensuring timely, accurate, and analytically sound responses with proper staffing across Joint Staff directorates and external stakeholders Advise and support the Chief AI Officer (CAIO) and IPA lead on policy alignment, governance strategy, and decision support materials Translate DoD-level guidance (e.g., DoD AI Ethical Principles, Data Strategy) into actionable Joint Staff implementation guidance and artifacts Establish and maintain governance processes for AI/ML and data initiatives, including oversight mechanisms, review boards, and compliance tracking Coordinate across Joint Staff (J2, J6, J8, etc.), Combatant Commands, Services, and OSD to ensure unity of effort and policy alignment Develop executive-level briefings, decision memos, and information papers for GO/FO/SES leadership Serve as the primary integrator between technical teams (data engineers, data scientists, AI teams) and policy stakeholders to ensure operational feasibility of governance frameworks Support audit readiness and compliance efforts related to AI governance, data management, and cybersecurity policies Monitor and assess emerging policies, legislation, and guidance impacting AI/ML, data, and digital capabilities across DoD and interagency partners Lead or support working groups, tiger teams, and cross-functional governance forums Track and report progress on CDAO initiatives, including metrics, milestones, and risk areas What Required Skills You'll Bring: 8 years of experience in policy, governance, strategy, or program support within DoD, Joint Staff, or IC environments Demonstrated experience drafting and staffing formal policy documents at the OSD, Joint Staff, or Combatant Command level Strong understanding of DoD organizational structure, Joint Staff processes, and task management systems (e.g., ETMS2) Familiarity with AI/ML, data governance, and digital transformation concepts (does not need to be deeply technical, but must be conversant) Experience supporting senior leaders (GO/FO/SES) with executive communications and decision support Proven ability to manage multiple high-visibility taskers under tight timelines Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills across diverse organizations Excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly in producing concise, decision-quality materials Active TS/SCI clearance required at the time of hire What Desired Skills You'll Bring: Direct experience supporting the Joint Staff, OSD CDAO, or Service-level data/AI offices Familiarity with DoD AI Ethical Principles, Responsible AI (RAI) frameworks, and governance models (e.g., SHIELD or similar) Experience with data strategy implementation, data governance bodies, or enterprise data management initiatives Prior experience with policy related to cybersecurity, data sharing, or cross-domain operations Background working with or alongside technical AI/ML or data engineering teams Experience supporting international partners or coalition data/AI efforts (useful given Joint Staff mission space) Master’s degree in public policy, national security, data/AI, or related field Security Clearance Requirement: An active Top Secret SCI security clearance is required for this position.​ This position is part of our Federal Solutions team. The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now. Salary Range: $103,500.00 - $181,100.00 We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as medical, dental, vision, paid time off, 401(k), life insurance, flexible work schedules, and holidays to fit your busy lifestyle! Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY! Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.