The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is where innovation meets purpose. We ensure the safety and efficiency of the nation's aerospace system, overseeing air traffic, advancing cutting-edge aviation technologies, and shaping the future of flight. Our mission is to deliver the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. Join a team where your work has real impact, your ideas drive progress, and your career helps keep millions moving safely every day.
Summary
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is where innovation meets purpose. We ensure the safety and efficiency of the nation's aerospace system, overseeing air traffic, advancing cutting-edge aviation technologies, and shaping the future of flight. Our mission is to deliver the safest, most efficient aerospace system in the world. Join a team where your work has real impact, your ideas drive progress, and your career helps keep millions moving safely every day.
The Executive Director, Office of Strategic Management, leads enterprise-wide initiatives involving strategic planning, policy development, rulemaking, financial management, human capital management, workforce development, stakeholder engagement, and organizational performance, ensuring alignment with Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) priorities and objectives. The incumbent provides executive stewardship of resources in excess of $42M and leads a geographically dispersed organization comprised of approximately 155 managers, supervisors, engineers, and support professionals, including 23 L-band and K-band managers.
Directs the development, implementation, and modernization of Federal Aviation Regulations, national policies, standards, and operational frameworks governing commercial space transportation licensing, safety oversight, and regulatory compliance. Provides executive leadership in collaboration with the Office of Rulemaking and other Federal stakeholders to advance risk-informed, performance-based regulatory approaches that support public safety while enabling industry growth and innovation.
Serves as or directs the Designated Federal Officer for the Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee, providing independent analysis, strategic counsel, and executive recommendations to the FAA Administrator and senior Department of Transportation leadership on emerging issues, risks, opportunities, and policies impacting the U.S. commercial space transportation industry.
Leads the formulation, integration, and execution of AST's strategic planning, budget, acquisition, research and development, and organizational performance programs. Establishes enterprise-wide priorities and resource investment strategies that optimize mission delivery, improve operational effectiveness, strengthen organizational resilience, and promote innovation in support of the Nation's commercial space transportation objectives.
Provides executive direction for workforce planning, talent management, succession planning, leadership development, recruitment, employee engagement, and organizational effectiveness initiatives. Creates a high-performing, inclusive workforce culture that develops leadership capacity, enhances mission execution, and positions the organization to address evolving commercial space transportation challenges.
Leads international engagements and negotiates agreements to advance U.S. commercial space transportation interests. Represents the FAA and DOT to senior global and domestic stakeholders, building strategic partnerships that promote U.S. regulatory standards, safeguard public safety, and foster a competitive, innovative industry.
This position is covered by the Department of Transportation's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program. Any applicant tentatively selected for this position will be subject to pre-employment or pre-appointment drug screening. Persons occupying a "testing designated position (TDP)" will be subject to random drug and/or alcohol testing.
Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for Federal employment, at the time requested by the agency.
You will be required to serve a one-year FAA Executive System (FAAES) probationary period unless you have previously completed a probationary period in either the FAAES or the Senior Executive Service (SES).
You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
The person selected for this position may be required to file a financial disclosure statement within 30 days of entry on duty. FAA policy limits certain outside employment and financial investments in aviation-related companies. www.faa.gov/jobs/workinghere/financial-disclosure-requirements
Qualifications
To meet the minimum qualifications of this position, you must clearly articulate and describe within your two (2) page resume evidence that you possess the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs) and Mandatory Technical Requirements (TRs) related to this position. Your resume should include examples of experience and accomplishments applicable to the qualifications. Applicants who do not possess these criteria are ineligible for further consideration.
Please do not submit separate documents addressing the Technical Requirements (TRs) and Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs), only your two (2) page resume will be accepted and considered.
MANDATORY TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS (TRs):
TR 1: Demonstrated leadership experience establishing commercial space transportation-related policies, regulations, standards, or procedures for a federal civilian, military, or private organization.
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP DIMENSIONS (ELDs)
ELD 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This ELD 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.
ELD 2: Driving Efficiency - This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades.
ELD 3: Merit and Competence - This ELD involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
ELD 4: Leading People - This ELD 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.
ELD 5: Achieving Results - This ELD involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors.
Note: Applicants who are current Officers or Executives (EV-1 or EV-2 level) of the FAA Executive System (FAAES), current Career Executives in the Senior Executive Service (SES) or equivalent system as evidenced by an interchange agreement between your agency and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that permits noncompetitive movement of employees between the SES and your agency, individuals certified through successful completion of an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or those with Career FAAES or SES reinstatement eligibility are not required to address the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs). Such applicants must provide documentation verifying eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the FAAES (e.g., SF-50, or certification from OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)).
You are strongly encouraged to review the Office of Personnel Management's Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and Qualifications Review Board for examples and tips on preparing an effective executive resume: OPM SES Qualifications Guide.
Education
This position does not have an education requirement.
Additional information
Veterans preference does not apply to the FAA Executive System.
Clarification on Relocation Expenses: In accordance with applicable FAA Travel regulations, a fixed relocation payment of $10,000 may be paid to new hires to Federal service, former Federal employees (reinstatements), and student trainees. A fixed relocation payment of $27,000 may be paid to current Federal employees. Relocation expenses paid are subject to applicable taxes.
Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
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.
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.
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. Learn more about federal benefits.
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.
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 possess the Executive Leadership Dimensions (ELDs) and Mandatory Technical Requirements (TRs) listed above, your application package may be further evaluated by an Executive Rating Panel. Additionally, Hiring Managers may choose to interview highly qualified candidates via one or more interviews.
IMPORTANT: Applicants may be rated on the extent and quality of experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of the position(s). All answers provided in the online process must be substantiated. Ensure that your application package/resume supports your responses.
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.
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. Learn more about federal benefits.
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.
Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit.
RESUME: All applicants must submit a resume limited to two (2) pages. Eligibility and qualifications will be determined solely based on the information provided within this two-page resume. Your resume must include sufficient detail to validate your qualifications, including employment start and end dates (month/year), position titles, and full-time or part-time status (or average hours worked per week). It must clearly demonstrate your relevant experience and education as they relate to the position's requirements.
SF-50: Current or former federal employees should submit an SF-50.
PROOF OF NONCOMPETITIVE ELIGIBILITY (IF APPLICABLE): In order to receive noncompetitive consideration, applicants who are current Officers or Executives (EV-1 or EV-2 level) of the FAA Executive System (FAAES), current Career Senior Executive Service (SES) members, Executives within an SES equivalent system as evidenced by an interchange agreement between your agency and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that permits noncompetitive movement of employees between the SES and your agency, individuals certified through successful completion of an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or those with Career FAAES or SES reinstatement eligibility must provide documentation verifying eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the FAAES (e.g., SF-50 or certification from OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)).
Failure to submit any required documents by the closing date will remove you from consideration.
This recruitment will be conducted using a RESUME-ONLY application process. Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages and must clearly describe your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet the Executive Leadership Dimensions and Mandatory Technical Requirements for this position. Resumes longer than 2 pages will not be accepted and will result in removal from consideration.
To apply, click the Apply Online button in the job announcement. You will need to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account: USAJOBS Help.
Be sure to upload your two-page resume and all required supporting documents before submitting your application.
You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 10/13/2026 for it to be accepted.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 80 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit.
RESUME: All applicants must submit a resume limited to two (2) pages. Eligibility and qualifications will be determined solely based on the information provided within this two-page resume. Your resume must include sufficient detail to validate your qualifications, including employment start and end dates (month/year), position titles, and full-time or part-time status (or average hours worked per week). It must clearly demonstrate your relevant experience and education as they relate to the position's requirements.
SF-50: Current or former federal employees should submit an SF-50.
PROOF OF NONCOMPETITIVE ELIGIBILITY (IF APPLICABLE): In order to receive noncompetitive consideration, applicants who are current Officers or Executives (EV-1 or EV-2 level) of the FAA Executive System (FAAES), current Career Senior Executive Service (SES) members, Executives within an SES equivalent system as evidenced by an interchange agreement between your agency and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that permits noncompetitive movement of employees between the SES and your agency, individuals certified through successful completion of an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP), or those with Career FAAES or SES reinstatement eligibility must provide documentation verifying eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the FAAES (e.g., SF-50 or certification from OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board (QRB)).
Failure to submit any required documents by the closing date will remove you from consideration.
This recruitment will be conducted using a RESUME-ONLY application process. Your resume must not exceed two (2) pages and must clearly describe your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet the Executive Leadership Dimensions and Mandatory Technical Requirements for this position. Resumes longer than 2 pages will not be accepted and will result in removal from consideration.
To apply, click the Apply Online button in the job announcement. You will need to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account: USAJOBS Help.
Be sure to upload your two-page resume and all required supporting documents before submitting your application.
You must apply online to receive consideration. Your application must be submitted by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on 10/13/2026 for it to be accepted.
It is applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and uploaded, (i.e., resume and other required documents) is complete, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. Human Resources will not modify or change any part of your application.
Once your complete application is received, we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 80 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.
All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of political affiliation, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or other non-merit factors. DOT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency contact listed in the Agency Contact Information section of this announcement or the hiring manager. An employee with a disability must notify the decision-maker of the accommodation request. Job applicants and employees are required to follow up oral requests in writing. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Additional information on reasonable accommodations procedures or on EEO Programs is available on Office of Civil Rights (ACR) or by contacting the local FAA Civil Rights Office.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
