David Phillips Profile Photo

David Phillips

Director, Security Solutions and IT Program Management

35+ Years Speaks English
Senior IC & Architecture Product Management Technical Program Management Executive Leadership Big Tech (FAANG+) Hiring & Interview Panels Communication & Executive Presence Negotiation & Influence

About

I’m driven to mentor others because I believe growth accelerates when people feel supported, challenged, and seen. Throughout my career, I’ve learned that the most meaningful progress—whether in business, craftsmanship, or personal development—comes from guidance that’s both practical and human. Mentorship gives me the opportunity to share what I’ve learned, help others avoid unnecessary setbacks, and create an environment where people can step confidently into their potential. I’m committed to developing others not by giving them all the answers, but by helping them build the skills, mindset, and resilience to find their own. I value clarity, accountability, and honest communication, and I bring those principles into every mentoring relationship. My goal is to empower people to think strategically, act with purpose, and take pride in their work. Ultimately, I mentor because I want to see people succeed—not just in their roles, but in the way they carry themselves, solve problems, and lead others. Helping someone grow into their best self is one of the most rewarding parts of my professional life, and it’s a responsibility I take seriously.

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