David Phillips
Director, Security Solutions and IT Program Management
About
Available Services
Behavioral Interview Practice STAR-format answers for leadership principles, culture fit, conflict resolution, and collaboration scenarios - tailored to the specific values of the company you're targeting.
Technical Leadership Round Prepare for the leadership and vision rounds in Staff+, Principal, and EM interview loops. Cover technical strategy, cross-team influence, mentoring, and driving org-wide impact.
Promotion Guidance Get a clear roadmap to your next level. Understand what the promotion committee actually evaluates, build your case with the right artifacts, and learn how to make your impact visible.
Career Roadmap Planning Map out your 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year career plan. Identify skill gaps, align your growth direction, and make intentional choices about specialization vs. generalization.
Building Visibility & Executive Presence Learn how to make your work visible to leadership, build influence beyond your team, communicate in senior forums, and develop the executive presence needed for Staff+ and Director+ roles.
IC to Manager Transition Thinking about moving from an IC track to people management? Understand what changes, what stays, how to prepare, and whether the EM path is truly right for you.
Manager to IC Transition Want to go back to hands-on engineering? Navigate the transition from management to a Staff+ IC role without taking a step back in level or compensation.
Toxic Workplace Navigation Dealing with a difficult manager, office politics, or a toxic culture? Get practical strategies to protect yourself, document issues, and decide when and how to move on.
Workplace Conflict Resolution Navigate disagreements with colleagues, cross-team friction, or difficult stakeholder relationships. Learn frameworks to resolve conflicts professionally without damaging your reputation.
Work-Life Balance Struggling to set boundaries between work and life? Get advice on managing energy, setting realistic expectations, and building sustainable habits from people who've figured it out at demanding companies.
First-Time Manager Coaching Just became a manager or about to? Learn the fundamentals of 1:1s, feedback delivery, delegation, performance management, and building trust - from experienced engineering leaders.
Director / VP Track Aiming for Director, VP, or CTO? Work with senior leaders who've made it. Cover organizational strategy, executive communication, multi-team management, and building a leadership brand.
Building & Scaling Teams Learn how to build a team from scratch, scale it 2x-10x, set culture, define hiring bars, create onboarding processes, and maintain quality as you grow - lessons from leaders at top companies.
Experience
Director, Security Solutions and Director, Delivery Manager
Microsoft
Jan 2009 — Present Current
Deputy, Chief Information Officer (Architecture)
United States Navy
Apr 2006 — Jan 2009
Cryptologic Technician Networks
United States Navy
Jul 1991 — Apr 2006