Acquisition Program Manager

Air Force STEM$100K — $130K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of progressive experience in managing complex acquisition programs
  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field; advanced degree preferred
  • Prior experience in DoD/Space Force/DAF acquisition positions is highly desirable
  • Exceptional leadership and mentoring skills
  • Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written formats

Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage acquisition programs for the U.S. Space Force
  • Translate strategic goals into executable programs and policies
  • Integrate efforts of multiple teams to achieve program success
  • Direct complex projects with long-term impacts
  • Resolve mission-critical problems in collaboration with senior management
  • Mentor the next generation of acquisition talent

Benefits

  • Access to a comprehensive benefits package for employees and their families
  • Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
  • Participation in the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP)
  • Potential for telework and flexible work arrangements
  • Access to Paid Time Off (PTO) and federal holidays
Full Job Description
Summary

Duties

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The United States Space Force (USSF) Headquarters (HQ) Communications, Information Technology, and Cyber Operations (CTIO) at the Pentagon is searching for an Acquisition Program Manager (NH-1101-04, GS 14/15 equivalent).

Description:

As a Senior Acquisition Program Manager for the United States Space Force, you will be a recognized technical and functional authority, translating senior leadership's strategic goals into executable programs and policies that directly enable the warfighter. This role moves beyond managing cost, schedule, and performance, empowering you to direct highly complex projects with long-term impact, lead and integrate the efforts of multiple teams, and mentor the next generation of acquisition talent. You will be the trusted expert leadership seeks for solutions, responsible for formulating organizational strategies, resolving mission-critical problems with senior management, and briefing strategic vision, all while optimizing resources and fostering a cooperative, high-performing environment. We seek a decisive and accountable leader who thrives on calculated risk and disciplined critical thinking, ready to deliver Digital Combat Power and help achieve Space Superiority.

The ideal candidate is a recognized technical and functional authority with demonstrated, progressive experience leading and managing acquisition programs of significant complexity, cost, and schedule risk. This individual must possess a proven ability to convert strategic goals into executable programs and policies, integrate the efforts of multiple teams, and provide strategic direction to resolve mission-critical problems in collaboration with senior management and customers. A Bachelor's degree (advanced degree preferred) in a relevant business, technical, or management discipline is required, and prior experience in DoD/Space Force/DAF acquisition-coded positions is highly desirable. Key to this role are exceptional leadership and mentoring skills, disciplined critical thinking, and clear oral and written communication, enabling the candidate to formulate strategies, optimize resources, and foster a collaborative environment where they are sought out for solutions.

Key Skills and Abilities:

1. Expert knowledge of processes and procedures related to program management and strategic planning activities needed to lead projects and/or studies within established financial and time constraints.

2. Advanced knowledge of project management, performance tools, and cost estimating methods sufficient to design systems and processes that improve performance and resilience of information systems.

3. Skilled in developing interpersonal relationships, leading initiatives, planning, organizing, prioritizing work to meet changing deadlines, advising senior leadership or IT Specialists through oral and written communication to advance solutions or projects.

4. Ability to apply methods and practices for system of system design, development, integration, and improving systems to solve complex problems, provide solutions that maximize capability for customers, and maintain relationships with industry and other activities to provide awareness of state of the art technology.

5. Ability to encourage new ideas and innovations, manage human, financial, and information resources strategically, and build coalitions to achieve common goals.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship Required
  • Must be able to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
  • This is a drug testing designated position. The incumbent is subject to pre-employment drug testing as a condition of employment, and participation in random drug testing.
  • Required to handle and safeguard sensitive and/or classified information in accordance with regulations to reduce potential compromise.
  • May be required to travel by military or commercial aircraft in the performance of TDY assignments.
  • May be required to work overtime on an unscheduled or emergency basis.
  • The employee must meet the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) requirements applicable to the duties of the position.
  • This position has been designated as a Non-Critical Acquisition Position and is covered by the Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP).
  • Employee must within 30-days of assuming this position and annually thereafter, file an OGE-450, "Confidential Financial Disclosure Report.
  • PCS will be paid IAW JTR and AF Regulations. If receiving an authorized PCS, you may be subject to completing/signing a CONUS agreement. More information on PCS requirements, may be found at: https://afciviliancareers.com/regulatory/
  • Depending on the type of position (competitive/excepted) you are selected for, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period OR 2-year trial period.
  • Upon completion of your probationary/trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
  • Eligible for situational telework only, including Emergency and OPM prescribed "Unscheduled Telework".
  • Subject to Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY): Approximately 45 days per year.
  • Incentive is not authorized.
  • This position will close after 5 business days or 75 applications, whichever comes first


Qualifications

The 1101 series does not have an individual occupational requirement that must be met. You can view the experience level requirements here. Please scroll down to the 3rd section titled Administrative and Management Positions.

Additional information

Employed Annuitants (Reemployed Annuitants): Applicants in receipt of an annuity based on civilian employment in the Federal Service are subject to the DoD Policy on The Employment of Annuitants. Click here for more information.

Disabled veteran leave is available to a Federal employee hired on/after 5 Nov 2016, who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. For more information, click here.

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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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