Senior Director Warfighting Acquisition

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
• Establish WATCH’s strategic direction, priorities, and operating model.
• Serve as senior advisor to Apogee leadership on acquisition reform trends and implications.
• Define measurable outcomes for WATCH aligned to company strategy and customer impact.
• Acquisition Reform Translation
• Interpret DoD acquisition strategies, Executive Orders, and policy memoranda.
• Translate policy intent into actionable guidance for embedded acquisition teams.
• Develop and maintain practical acquisition transformation playbooks.
• External Engagement & Thought Leadership
• Engage former and current senior DoD acquisition leaders, Warfighting Acquisition University faculty, FFRDCs, and policy influencers.
• Represent the company in acquisition reform forums, panels, and advisory settings.
• Shape the firm’s external acquisition reform narrative with credibility and restraint.
• Internal Integration & Convening
• Convene cross-program communities of practice to surface best practices.
• Integrate successful acquisition approaches across USAF, USSF, USSOCOM, and USSTRATCOM portfolios.
• Provide reach-back advisory support to embedded personnel on complex acquisition challenges.
• Workforce Development
• Design senior-level professional development initiatives focused on real-world acquisition execution.
• Develop executive forums, guest lectures, and cohort-based learning experiences.
• Align WATCH development activities with promotion readiness and talent retention.
• Digital Innovation
• Guide organic digital acquisition technology development and AI-enabled automation initiatives.
• Ensure technology pilots are compliant, explainable, and mission-relevant.
• Partner with the Apogee technologists to transition pilots into operational use.

Qualifications

• Minimum Experience:
• Citizenship: Must be a US citizen
• Clearance: Must have and be able to maintain a Top-Secret level clearance with SCI eligibility
• Education: Master’s Degree in Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or a related discipline
• Certifications: DAWIA Advanced (or Level III) Certification in the Program Management or Engineering & Technical Management functional areas
• Years of Experience: 15 or more years of experience managing weapon system acquisition programs at the ACAT III level and above
• Additional Experience:
• Deep, practical knowledge of DoD acquisition pathways and governance
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders across government and industry
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills
• Fluency with digital acquisition, data analytics, or AI applications
• Background in standing up new organizational capabilities
• Preferred Qualifications:
• Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Additional Experience:
• Hands-on experience with rapid acquisition pathways — e.g., Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA), Rapid Acquisition/Section 804 authorities, and Software/Agile/DevSecOps software acquisition pathways.
• Demonstrated rapid-prototype or rapid-fielding experience (programs executed on an accelerated 2–5 year fielding/prototyping tempo).
• Operational background or prior experience working closely with operational units (warfighters or operational leadership) to align capability delivery timelines and operational employment.
• Prior experience working inside or with a PAE or similar systems-engineering/integration partner is a plus.

Additional Information

Location: Apogee’s Beavercreek, Ohio corporate office

This position is: Hybrid (This position allows telework up to 50%)

Travel: 25% CONUS travel may be required