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Director, Office of Human resources

Department of Health and Human Services
National Institutes of Health

Summary

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, is the largest biomedical research funding organization in the world. NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers.

The Office of Management, within the Office of the Director, NIH, is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Director, Office of Human Resources. This is a career Federal position in the Senior Executive Service. See "Duties" section for a list of the major responsibilities.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Posted today · Apply by 07/30/26
Due by 11:59 p.m. ET on July 30, 2026
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
Yes—You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy.
Salary
$151,661 - $228,000 per year
Pay scale & grade
ES 00
Promotion potential
00
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent
Occupations and job series
Supervisory status
Yes
Federal service type
This job is in the Senior Executive Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
Yes
Security clearance
Top Secret
Position sensitivity and risk
Critical-Sensitive (CS)/High Risk
Jobs require a background check and some require a security clearance. The type depends on the job.
Background check type
Financial disclosure required
Yes
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
NIH-OD-SES-26-13005599
Control number
876580800

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted from all qualified Federal current civil service employees. Current SES employees, individuals with SES reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates must apply to be considered for this position.

Duties

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  • Develops improved methods for the recruitment, training, assignment and supervision of scientific and professional staff.
  • Sets operating policy for human resource management, and directs a staff of over 400 employees who provide support to the various Institutes and Centers of the NIH.

  • Maintains continuing awareness of gaps in HR policies or deficiencies in operations under established policies by close personal and informal contact with staff at all levels and grades of the NIH.

  • Plans and directs continuing studies that analyze future requirements for scientific and support manpower at the NIH

  • Examines proposed and new legislation and implements regulatory guidelines with a view toward determining the impact on NIH HR operations and recommending necessary actions.

  • Participates as a member of the top management staff to the Deputy Director for Management, NIH, in the definition and resolution of overall management proposals that affect more than one functional or central service area.

  • Represents the Director and Deputy Director, NIH, and the Deputy Director for Management, NIH, at meetings and conferences of ad hoc groups and organized associations of operations, research, and HR management personnel.

  • The OHR has a workforce of approximately 440 FTEs and an annual budget of approximately $100 million.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • U.S. Citizenship requirement or proof of being a U.S. National must be met by closing date.
  • Employment is subject to the successful completion of the pre-appointment process (i.e., background investigation, verification of qualifications and job requirements, completion of onboarding forms, submission of required documents, etc.).
  • Applicants must meet all qualifications requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
  • This position requires completion of a public financial disclosure report.
  • A one-year probationary period must be served by the individual selected if not currently or previously in the career Senior Executive Service.
  • The selectee must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI security clearance.

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 not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume must 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.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

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

TQ 1: Demonstrated senior-level experience leading the full spectrum of human capital services (i.e., position classification and position management, staffing and recruitment, employee and labor relations, employee development and succession planning) and equal employment opportunity (EEO) programs and initiatives to develop an innovative merit system-based human capital program; ensuring compliance with federal regulations while driving innovation in support of the agency.

TQ 2: Demonstrated ability to build cross-organizational partnerships, advise the Director and executive staff on management and administrative issues, provide consultative and innovative HR solutions aligned to mission needs, and sustain a high-performing, engaged workforce in a multi-layered and geographically dispersed organization.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 do not need to respond to the ECQs. Instead, you should attach proof (e.g., SF-50, Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

Please DO NOT submit separate documents addressing the ECQs or TQs.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

The NIH seeks candidates who have a commitment to managerial excellence and the energy, enthusiasm, and innovative thinking necessary to lead within a dynamic organization. All competitive candidates for SES positions with the Federal Government must demonstrate leadership experience indicative of their senior executive level management capability. The position of Director, OHR resides within the Office of the Director and reports directly to the Deputy Director for Management.

Applicants must meet the requirements for the GS-0201 series as defined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Qualifications Standards Manual for General Schedule Positions which is available at: OPM Qualifications Standards GS-0201 Website and demonstrate in your two (2) page resume that you possess the Technical Qualifications (TQs) listed below. It is recommended that your resume emphasize levels of responsibility, scope, and complexity of programs managed, and program accomplishments and results.

Candidates must possess experience at the senior level (GS-14/15 level or equivalent) in the job-specific Technical Qualifications (TQs). The TQs measure the technical expertise required by this position and must be addressed within your 2-page resume. It is recommended that corresponding TQs be annotated in parenthesis within your 2-page resume.

Political, Schedule C, Non-career SES Appointee*:
In the last five years, based on the closing date of this announcement, have you been or are you currently an employee in the Executive Branch serving on a political, Schedule C, or Non-career SES appointment? If yes, and you are selected through this vacancy announcement, you may be required to obtain approval by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) prior to beginning employment. (Please confirm whether or not you have this experience within your 2-page resume)

*A political appointee is an appointment made by the President without confirmation by the Senate (5 CFR 213.3102(c)) OR an Assistant position to a top-level Federal official if filled by a person designated by the President as a White House Fellow (5 CFR 213.3102(z)). A Non-career SES appointee is approved by the White House and serves at the pleasure of the appointing official without time limitations. A Schedule C appointee occupies a position excepted from the competitive service by the President, or by the Director, OPM, because of the confidential or policy-determining nature of the position duties.

NOTE: IF SELECTED, a Structured Interview will be used to certify the candidate by an OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB). If you are currently serving in a career SES appointment, are eligible for reinstatement into the SES, or have successfully completed an SES Candidate Development Program approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), you WILL NOT need to participate in a Structured Interview.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

NIH is located in Bethesda, MD; our campus is adjacent to downtown Bethesda, MD, at the Medical Center Metro station, and close to shops, walking trails, and restaurants.

Travel and Transportation expenses may be authorized in accordance with applicable Federal Travel Regulations governing the relocation of current Federal employees and new appointees.

HHS has a critical preparedness and response mission: HHS protects the American people from health threats, researches emerging diseases, and mobilizes public health programs with domestic and international partners. In support of this mission, HHS offers its employees the opportunity to volunteer to become Federal Civilian Detailees and contribute their unique skills through voluntary temporary assignments to humanitarian emergencies or Departmental priorities countering new and emerging health, safety, and security threats.

To promote efficiency in the hiring process, the resume and corresponding responses of successful candidates may be shared with other Institutes/Centers of NIH with similar vacancies. However, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply directly to the vacancy of interest and not rely on this possibility as a means of securing employment.

Standards of Conduct/Financial Disclosure: The National Institutes of Health inspires public confidence in our science by maintaining high ethical principles. NIH employees are subject to Federal government-wide regulations and statutes as well as agency-specific regulations described at the NIH Ethics website. We encourage you to review this information. The Ethics in Government Act, PL 95-521, also requires the applicant selected for this position to submit a Public Financial Disclosure Report, OGE-278, prior to assuming the SES position, annually, and upon termination of employment.

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

If you are a hearing-impaired individual seeking assistance with the application process, you may contact the Human Resources Specialist listed in this announcement by phoning a relay operator at 711. For additional information see Maryland Relay.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy Statement: Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly: EEOSC.Accommdations@hhs.gov Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Selective Service: As a condition of employment, all male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must have registered for the selective service. If selected for this position, the applicant must sign a statement certifying his registration, or the applicant must demonstrate exempt status under the Selective Service Law.

Occasional Travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Veteran's Preference: Does not apply to the SES.

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.

We use a multi-step process to evaluate and refer applicants:

  1. Minimum requirements: Your application must show that you meet all requirements, including the education and/or experience required for this position. You may be found 'not qualified' if you do not possess the minimum competencies required for the position. If your application is incomplete, we may rate you as ineligible.
  2. Rating: A panel of Senior Executives will review your application and evaluate your qualification for this position based on the information in your application. Your application will be rated based on the extent and quality of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of this position. Interviews will be at the discretion of the panel and/or selection official.
  3. Referral: If you are among the top qualified candidates, your application will be referred to a selection official for consideration and possible interview.

National Institutes of Health

Who we are, what we do, and why it matters. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the premier biomedical research center for the Nation and the world. The NIH is composed of 27 Institutes and Centers and employs approximately 18,000 staff in a vast array of professions, all supporting research efforts for a healthier nation. For more information on the NIH mission, goals, and Institutes and Centers, please visit NIH Overview.

Are you a senior executive interested in a career with the Nation's premier biomedical research center? Do you have what it takes to run the Office of Human Resources at the National Institutes of Health? Do you want to perform challenging work in a collegial environment, while enjoying quality of work/life flexibilities and a competitive compensation package? If so, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is seeking a Director, Office of Human Resources which may be the perfect career opportunity for you!

The NIH Office of the Director (OD) is responsible for advancing the research mission, policies, and administration of the NIH through innovative partnerships with our NIH Institutes, Centers, and other collaborators. OD's components include central services, scientific programs, and central policy-making bodies. The Director, Office of Human Resources serves as a respected and responsible member of the top management staff and is relied upon for authoritative advice on all human resources (HR) management matters.

Agency contact information

Mariela Light
Phone
301-496-9788
Email
lightmar@mail.nih.gov
Address
National Institutes of Health
6701 Rockledge Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
US

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https://hr.nih.gov/working-nih/work-life

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