Senior Acquisition Specialist

Key Responsibilities

• Independently analyze and assess acquisition status, risks, performance trends, and programmatic issues across ACAT-level defense programs
• Synthesize complex, multi-domain acquisition information into clear, concise executive summaries with well-reasoned, actionable recommendations for senior DoD officials
• Prepare and deliver high-quality briefings, decision papers, memoranda, and programmatic assessments for flag officers, Senior Executive Service (SES) personnel, and other senior leaders
• Monitor program execution across cost, schedule, and performance baselines, identifying critical risk indicators and recommending mitigation strategies
• Engage directly with Program Managers, PEOs, functional leads, and interagency stakeholders to gather, validate, and reconcile program data
• Support senior leader preparation for Congressional engagements, milestone decision reviews, and major program reviews
• Provide independent analysis and challenge functions across acquisition strategies, contract actions, and program documentation
• Navigate dynamic, rapidly changing tasking environments with minimal supervision, consistently delivering quality products under compressed timelines

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance
• Direct experience as a Program Manager on an ACAT-level defense acquisition program, with demonstrated responsibility for cost, schedule, and performance
• Extensive experience operating within Pentagon, Service Headquarters, OSD, or equivalent senior HQ-level organizations
• Demonstrated experience preparing and delivering briefings and decision-quality documents to flag officers, SES personnel, or equivalent senior executives
• Deep working knowledge of the Defense Acquisition System (DAS), DoD Instruction 5000 series, and associated acquisition policies, regulations, and frameworks
• Prominent ability to rapidly analyze, distill, and communicate complex acquisition issues in a clear and compelling manner under tight deadlines
• Strong understanding of program risk management, Earned Value Management (EVM), and acquisition lifecycle phases
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required; advanced degree strongly preferred
• Minimum 10-15 years of progressively responsible DoD acquisition experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III certification or equivalent in Program Management or Contracting
• DoD Program Management (PM) or Defense Acquisition University (DAU) senior-level coursework completed
• Experience supporting OSD, USD(A&S), CAPE, or Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) level organizations
• Familiarity with Congressional budget and authorization processes, including PPBE
• Experience supporting Source Selection Authorities and major contract award decisions
• Advanced degree in Business, Public Administration, Systems Engineering, or related field