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Director, Policy, Analysis and Transition

Department of Defense
Office of the Secretary of Defense
Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment

Summary

The Director of Policy, Analysis, and Transition (PA&T) will manage the Policy, Analysis, and Transition Portfolio. The Director, PA&T supervises the analysis of cross-cutting and strategic industrial base sectors, evaluating the ability of sector to produce capabilities, associated industrial base supply chains and individual producers, including research and analyses to inform senior leaders.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/10/2026 to 02/25/2026
Salary
$186,207 to - $228,000 per year

This is a Tier 1 position with a salary range of $186,207 to $209,600.

Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Pentagon, Arlington, VA
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Travel Required
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Senior Executive
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
Yes
Security clearance
Sensitive Compartmented Information
Drug test
Yes
Position sensitivity and risk
Special-Sensitive (SS)/High Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
Yes
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
SES-12877626-26-RR
Control number
857140400

This job is open to

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Federal employees - Competitive service

Current federal employees whose agencies follow the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's hiring rules and pay scales.

Federal employees - Excepted service

Current federal employees whose agencies have their own hiring rules, pay scales and evaluation criteria.

Senior executives

Individuals looking for an executive-level job and who meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs).

Clarification from the agency

This position is opened to Current Federal Employees in the Competitive, Excepted, and Senior Executive Service.

Duties

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Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Represents ASW(IBP) on DoW and U.S. interagency working groups, and related activities as they pertain to Defense Industrial Base sectors, supply chain and key producer issues. The incumbent provides expert advice at the DASW and higher levels on key strategy, planning, programming, budgeting, and industrial policy matters; prepares briefings, presentations, and decision memoranda to support deliberations and decisions by senior management; reviews and develops industrial policy positions; and responds to actions originating in other DoW and non- DoW offices or agencies that have implications on the Defense Industrial Base.
  • The incumbent participates in the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, working across the Military Services, Joint Staff, and other Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) organizations to ensure DASW(IBR) DIB industrial priorities are supported and resourced.
  • Monitors, assesses, and recommends potential international cooperation opportunities involving U.S. allies and other security partner countries regarding industry sectors, supply chains, and key producers, including support to Security of Supply Arrangements and Reciprocal Defense Procurement agreements.
  • Provides senior DoW managers with consultation and expert advice in evaluating and analyzing industrial capabilities to meet defense requirements and assesses industry's ability to source innovative solutions, seek out and utilize emerging defense suppliers, and apply networked solutions to traditional platform requirements.
  • Oversees generation of studies, reports, instructions, policies, and correspondence relating to the capability and capacity of the national security innovation and industrial base. Directs and manages the development of studies, policies, procedures, and recommendations relating to defense industrial base; macroeconomic and defense industry trends; the industrial, financial, and economic impacts of DoW acquisition strategies; and national security impacts of divestitures, and acquisitions within the Department's industrial supply base.
  • Responsible for the ongoing monitoring of economic trends and financial metrics of critical industries and firms and overall industry sector health using various financial data sources and investment research tools. Responsible for the evaluation of Partner & Allied industrial capacities and overall economic health.
  • Directs the development of DoW directives, instructions, manuals, and memoranda concerning a variety of industrial, financial, and economic policies, procedures, and positions as well as Congressional testimony on a wide variety of industrial related issues.
  • Expertise in briefing Secretary and Deputy Secretary level within the Department of War and demonstrated interagency and Congressional engagement.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
  • All newly appointed Career SES leaders must sign the Reassignment Rights Obligations Agreement as a condition of appointment into the SES.
  • You must submit to a drug test and receive a negative drug test before you can be appointed into this position. Designated and/or Random Drug Testing required.
  • In order to qualify for this position, you must be able to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
  • Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 02/25/2026
  • The individual selected will be required to file an 'Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278) in accordance with the Ethics in Government Act of 1978.
  • You will serve a one-year probationary period unless you have previously completed the probationary period in the SES.
  • Males born after 12-31-59 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/Home/Registration).
  • This is a Critical Acquisition Position. This position requires a Program Management, Advanced, acquisition certification. The incumbent has 48 months to achieve this certification. Selectee must execute, as a condition of appointment, a written agreement to remain in Federal service in the position for at least three years. In signing such agreement, the employee does not forfeit any employment rights, nor does such an agreement alter any other terms or conditions of employment.

Qualifications

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. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ), and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES. Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Please see "Required Documents" section below for all resume formatting requirements.

Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

Do NOT submit a separate narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).


TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications:

TQ 1: Demonstrated leadership in the development of economic and national security strategies in the Department, leveraging data analytics and supply chain tools to evaluate defense capabilities.

TQ 2: Demonstrated experience in leading cross-DoW teams on priorities in munitions, missiles, and critical minerals, with expertise in the Defense Production Act, Industrial Base Fund, supply chains, Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, CFIUS, export controls, and related authorities.


EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the Technical Qualification Requirements listed above, all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position.

There are five ECQs:
  • ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people.
    • Sub-Competencies:
      • Knowledge of the American System of Government: Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of the American system of government, including the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, separation of powers, federalism, and the historical development of the American Nation.
      • Commitment to the Rule of Law: Upholds the principles of the American Founding, including equality under the law and democratic self-government. Ensures the law is applied fairly and consistently.
      • Civic-Mindedness: Stays up-to-date on important developments in American government and aligns organizational objectives and practices with presidential and public interests. Demonstrates a commitment to serve the American people.
  • ECQ 2: Driving Efficiency - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
    • Sub-Competencies:
      • Fiscal Responsibility: Strategically manages, allocates and monitors financial resources. Aligns priorities and initiatives to justify budget proposals. Monitors expenditures, cuts unnecessary costs, and uses cost-benefit analysis to set priorities.
      • Managing Resources: Manages resources efficiently and effectively based on current and projected organizational goals, skills, budget considerations, and staffing needs.
      • Leveraging Technology: Explores emerging technology and potential applications. Incorporates technology to enhance efficiency and achieve results. Ensures access to and security of technology systems.
  • ECQ 3: Merit and Competence - This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
    • Sub-Competencies:
      • Technical Skill: Possesses the requisite technical knowledge and subject matter expertise to consistently produce timely, high-quality work. Is considered a strong contributor in his or her domain.
      • Problem Solving: Engages in critical and data-driven thinking when diagnosing root causes and evaluating options. Identifies and promptly addresses the most pressing, high-priority problems.
      • Agility and Resilience: Anticipates and adapts to change, new ideas, new information, and new conditions. Is committed to continuous improvement. Deals effectively with pressure and remains optimistic and persistent, even under adversity.
  • ECQ 4: Leading People - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable.
    • Sub-Competencies:
      • Accountability: Ensures that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, trained, and retained. Takes swift action to address performance- or conduct-based deficiencies in employees supervised. Holds self and others accountable for measurable high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
      • Developing Others: Recognizes and rewards outstanding achievement in others. Develops the ability of others to perform and contribute to the organization by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods. Cultivates a dynamic environment in which employees are not afraid to make mistakes.
      • Executive Judgement: Makes well-reasoned, timely, and effective decisions and considers short- and long-term implications. Communicates effectively with stakeholders across all organizational levels, sharing and guarding information where appropriate.
  • ECQ 5: Achieving Results - This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
    • Sub-Competencies:
      • Operational Mindset: Effectively translates strategies into actionable steps and processes. Partners effectively with stakeholders to drive adoption and addresses blockers to ensure successful implementation.
      • Innovation: Applies creativity to improving products and processes, challenges convention, takes measured risks, and considers ways to simplify and remove unnecessary requirements.
      • Strategic Thinking: Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interests of the organization by evaluating conditions, resources, capabilities, constraints, and organizational goals and values.

Note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES. See "Required Documents" section for additional information.

Additional information

DoW Joint Enterprise-Wide Experience Statement: In addition, DoW requires an Enterprise Perspective. This individual must have the ability to apply a broad point of view and an awareness and understanding of individual or organizational responsibilities in relation to DoW or government-wide strategic priorities is required. Executives must demonstrate ability to work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives. This perspective is typically gained through a variety of diverse work experiences. This information should be embedded within the resume.

Veterans preference is not applicable to the Senior Executive Service.

Applications MUST be submitted through USAJobs.

Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions members may be subject to reassignment across geographical, organizational, and functional lines, and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

Tiering: The Office of the Secretary of War structures its SES positions into tiers to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) PolicyStatement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to

OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

Submit resume and all other required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on 02/25/2026

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. If you meet minimum qualifications, your Application Package will be further reviewed to determine if you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (MTQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration.

Upon selection, if not already a member of the SES serving under a career appointment, the individual selected must have his/her executive qualifications certified by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB) before appointment to this position. The selected individual's application will be forwarded to the OPM for review and certification by the QRB through a Structured Interview process, unless the selectee provides evidence of their noncompetitive status (i.e., a current SES, OPM QRB certified SESCDP graduate, or SES reinstatement eligible). Upon QRB certification, the selected individual will be required to serve a one-year probationary period. For more information regarding the SES, go to https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.

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