Lead Acquisition Professional

Steel Point Solutions

$115K — $135K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Active Public Trust Clearance Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Public Policy, or relevant technical field (Master's degree preferred)
  • PMP (Project Management Professional) certification required
  • 12+ years of experience in federal acquisition and program management
  • 10+ years managing complex government programs, with at least 5 in a leadership role
  • Proven experience managing multiple contract types and leading source selections
  • Experience in developing and commercializing software toolkits

Responsibilities

  • Advise government program managers on acquisition planning and execution
  • Ensure compliance with FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific protocols
  • Interface with Contracting Officer Representatives to align deliverables with requirements
  • Develop acquisition strategies, SOWs, IGCEs, and J&As for non-competitive contracts
  • Lead large-scale government programs from initiation to closeout
  • Manage integrated project plans and stakeholder communication strategies
  • Oversee daily operational execution and team coordination across functions

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Life insurance and disability coverage
  • 401K with company match
  • Flexible paid time off and paid holidays
  • Opportunities for professional development reimbursement
  • Support for work-life balance
Full Job Description
Role Summary

The Acquisition Lead/Program Manager provides strategic leadership and hands-on oversight across all phases of program execution within the federal contracting environment. This dual-role leader combines deep expertise in federal acquisition management with proven program and project management skills to ensure delivery of mission-critical initiatives. The individual oversees contract performance, resource allocation, risk mitigation, and regulatory compliance-ensuring programs are delivered on time, within budget, and in full alignment with government requirements and organizational goals.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Acquisition Strategy & Compliance
  • Advise government program managers on acquisition planning, contract execution, and regulatory compliance across the full acquisition lifecycle.
  • Ensure adherence to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and agency-specific procurement protocols.
  • Serve as the primary interface with Contracting Officer Representatives (CORs), aligning deliverables with contract requirements and performance metrics.
  • Develop Statements of Work (SOWs), acquisition strategies, independent government cost estimates (IGCEs), and Justifications and Approvals (J&As) for other than full and open competition.

Program & Project Management
  • Lead large-scale, complex government programs and contracts from initiation through closeout, ensuring adherence to schedule, budget, and performance standards.
  • Manage integrated project plans, risk registers, resource matrices, and stakeholder communication strategies to ensure program transparency and accountability.
  • Oversee day-to-day operational execution, including cost control, milestone tracking, and team coordination across functional and technical domains.
  • Drive the implementation of work breakdown structures (WBS), integrated master schedules (IMS), and earned value management (EVM) to track performance and cost variances.

Cross-Functional Team Leadership
  • Supervise and mentor multidisciplinary teams of acquisition, financial, and technical professionals to execute programmatic goals.
  • Foster a collaborative team environment that encourages open communication, innovation, and alignment with client objectives.
  • Facilitate performance reviews, staffing decisions, and workload balancing to meet evolving program demands.

Client Engagement & Stakeholder Management
  • Cultivate strong relationships with government clients, ensuring their evolving needs are met and exceeded through adaptive delivery models.
  • Provide regular program status updates, briefings, and executive summaries to senior leadership, contracting officers, and oversight bodies.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to clients on acquisition reform, modernization strategies, and best practices.

Required Qualifications:
  • Active Public Trust Clearance Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Management, Public Policy, or relevant technical field (Master's degree preferred).
  • Certifications
    • PMP (Project Management Professional)
  • 12+ years of experience in federal acquisition, contract management, and/or program management.
  • 10+ years in managing complex government programs, with 5+ years in a leadership or supervisory role.
  • 10+ years of experience managing multiple contract types (FFP, T&M, IDIQ/BPA) and leading source selections, contract modifications, and performance evaluations.
  • Proven experience in developing and commercializing software toolkits.
  • Demonstrated success managing cross-functional teams in the execution of multimillion-dollar government programs
  • Track record of ensuring program compliance, risk mitigation, and quality delivery under strict federal guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in Business Administration, Management, Public Policy, or relevant technical field
  • Certifications
    • FAC-P/PM or DAWIA Level III in Program Management or Contracting
    • Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) or equivalent

Skills and Competencies

Technical & Acquisition Knowledge
  • Deep knowledge of FAR, DFARS, and agency-specific procurement regulations.
  • Skilled in drafting and reviewing acquisition packages, IGCEs, source selection plans, evaluation criteria, and compliance checklists.
  • Strong understanding of contract types, CLIN structures, and regulatory requirements including small business participation, CPARS, and invoicing.

Program & Financial Management
  • Proficient in managing program schedules, cost control, and budgeting using EVM and related tools.
  • Strong command of tools such as MS Project, Deltek, and custom government systems (e.g., PRISM, FPDS-NG, SAM.gov).
  • Ability to apply industry standards and frameworks such as PMI PMBOK, Agile, and ITIL in hybrid project environments.

Leadership & Communication
  • Effective leader and mentor with experience managing geographically dispersed teams and subcontractors.
  • High emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills for influencing, negotiating, and resolving stakeholder concerns.
  • Skilled in creating executive-level briefings, audit responses, and performance reports.

Strategic Thinking & Problem Solving
  • Exceptional analytical capabilities to identify, assess, and resolve acquisition risks and operational constraints.
  • Adaptive thinker capable of balancing strategic direction with tactical execution in dynamic environments.
  • Continuous improvement mindset focused on increasing acquisition efficiency, cycle time reduction, and cost-effectiveness.


Candidates from Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUBZone) are strongly encouraged to apply. To determine whether you reside in a HUBZone, visit: https://maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map.

The salary range represents a general guideline; however, Steel Point Solutions considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Salary Range

$115,000-$135,000 USD

Steel Point offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible full-time positions, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short- and long-term disability, 401K with company match, critical care voluntary insurance, flexible paid time off, paid holidays and opportunities for professional development reimbursement. Join us to enjoy competitive compensation and a full range of benefits designed to support your well-being and work-life balance.

The salary range represents a general guideline; however, Steel Point Solutions considers a number of factors when determining base salary offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education, skills and current market conditions.

Salary Range

$115,000-$135,000 USD

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