Executive Director Strategy and Engagement

Summary

The Executive Director, Strategy and Engagement position is located in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Headquarters, Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate. The incumbent is responsible for developing organizational strategic guidance, advising leadership of the Planning, Programming, Budget Execution (PPBE) process, building and sustaining partnerships and coordination mechanisms with interagency, industry and international partners.

Duties

The Executive Director, Strategy and Engagement position is located in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), DHS Headquarters, Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate. The Executive Director, Strategy and Engagement is responsible for developing organizational strategic guidance and working with S&T senior leadership to inform the Planning, Programming, and Budget Execution (PPBE) process. Additionally, building and sustaining partnerships and coordination mechanisms with interagency, industry and international partners to foster cooperation through solid working relationships and strategic communications. Specific responsibilities include: Oversees S&T-wide strategy development as well as international, interagency, industry and congressional engagements to ensure alignment and advancement of the priorities of the Department and the Administration. Oversees the development of the S&T strategic planning and programming guidance to inform the S&T Planning, Programming, and Budget Execution (PPBE) process. Oversees the development of policies, strategic thrusts and priorities at the Department, interagency, international, industry and White House levels for relevance and/or impact to S&T. Represents S&T and/or DHS at interagency level in national thrusts and areas of shared responsibilities. Leads the development and management of S&T strategic partnerships with other government agencies. The Executive Director will represent S&T on interagency working groups, internal and external meetings, conferences and other forums. Works closely with S&T and DHS Components to understand homeland security enterprise operational requirements, risks and threats. Oversees and facilitates the development of cooperative technical relationships and associated activities that enhance security for both the United States and its partner nations. Presents to DHS and US government senior executives and managers concerning international Research and Development, Test and Evaluation capabilities and ongoing efforts being pursued in the region either separately or jointly with DHS. Creates and fosters strategic interagency communications regarding S&T policies and programs. Reviews the QHSR, Integrated Planning Guidance, Future Years Homeland Security Program, and other Departmental priorities to align and integrate the S&T strategy with PPBE decisions. Provides S&T with adequate policy coordination to ensure alignment and influence policies that would enable S&T to better support its customers. Advises Deputy Under Secretary and Under Secretary on recommended alignment and integration of the S&T strategy, strategic focus areas, and PPBE decisions into partnering programs. Supports S&T principals and subject matter experts in the development of an S&T Research Agenda that identifies and clarifies S&T's research priorities and specific efforts and aligns with the new direction of the Administration and Department. Leads, coordinates and prepares for strategic intergovernmental engagements; educate, update and build trusted relationships with Congressional members and staffers, targeted U.S. Government agencies, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and nationwide mayors and governors who are building smart communities through investments in research and public private partnerships, including academia, laboratory and industry domains. Advises and provides support to the DHS Secretary and the White House, Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on matters of priority concern to the Department and nation. Ensures information flows to and from leadership. Reviews briefing materials for senior officials for meetings with representatives of other agencies. Reviews and oversees the development of position papers for the use of senior officials involved in determining policy and strategies affecting S&T's relationship with other governmental agencies.

Qualifications and evaluation

A multi-step process is used to evaluate and refer applicants: 1. Minimum requirements: Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. Your application must show that you meet all requirements including the education and/or experience required for this position. You may be rated "not qualified" if you do not possess the qualification requirements for the position. If your application is incomplete, you may be found "ineligible". 2. Rating and Ranking: 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. A panel of subject matter experts will review your application and evaluate your qualifications 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. Highly/Top Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. 3. Referral: If you are among the higly/top qualified candidates, your application will be referred to a selecting official for consideration and a possible interview. The DHS Executive Resources Board (ERB) will review the results and make recommendations on final selections to the ERB Chair and appointing authority, where final interviews and reference checks may occur. 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, 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/. Your supporting documents are an integral part of the process for determining your qualifications for the position. If your responses are not supported by your resume, you will be eliminated from consideration. After reviewing your resume and supporting documentation, if a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications or experience, you may lose consideration for this position. Incomplete or late applications will not receive further consideration.

Education

There is no educational requirement for this position.

How to apply

To apply for this position, you must complete this application and submit any required documents specified in the Required Documents section and submit by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date 10/16/2026 of the announcement to receive consideration. To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application. Follow the prompts to select and upload your résumé and/or other required documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the "Include Personal Information" section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process. You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application. 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. DHS Headquarters Executive Services team will not modify or change any part of your application. Application packages will NOT be accepted via mail. Due to security processes, mail delivery takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process at which time the vacancy announcement will be closed, and no further consideration will be given to additional application packages. If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact DHSHQSeniorExecutiveServicesTeam@hq.dhs.gov.

Required documents

A complete application includes items described below. Please note that if you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position (or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible). Please carefully review the following list to determine what documentation you need to submit. Some documents may not apply to all applicants. 1. RESUME: All applicants are required to submit a resume limited to two (2) pages (i.e., 1 page that is double-sided or 2 pages that are one-sided each) showing all relevant experience. Applicants seeking initial career appointment to the Senior Executive Service (SES) must include evidence of the ECQs and TQs. PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER. ADDITIONAL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to submit the following supporting documentation if applicable: CURRENT FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYEE: I am applying as someone that currently holds or has held a position in the federal civil service--the federal civil service is defined as positions in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches; it does not include positions in the uniformed services. I must submit: SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system. Proof of holding of federal civil service position If you work(ed) for an agency that does not provide an SF-50--for example, the United States Postal Service--provide documentation that confirms you currently hold or have held a position in the federal civil service. Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system. CURRENT SES MEBERS: I am applying as a current career Senior Executive Service (SES) member. I must submit: SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action Block 5-B (Nature of Action) must identify SES career appointment. Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system. FORMER SES MEMBERS: I am applying as a former career Senior Executive Service (SES) member that is reinstatement eligible. I am eligible for reinstatement to the SES because (1) I successfully completed the 1-year SES probationary period or am exempt because I was converted to the SES as a career appointee when the SES was first established, and (2) left the SES for reasons other than misconduct, neglect of duty, malfeasance, or less than fully successful performance, or resignation after receipt of a notice proposing or directing removal under any of the aforementioned conditions. I must submit: SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action Block 5-B (Nature of Action) must identify SES career appointment. Upload under "SF-50" document type in the agency application system. SES CANDIDATE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (SESCDP) GRADUATES: I am applying as an SESCDP graduate. I must submit: Certificate of Executive Qualifications Upload under "Certificate of Executive Qualifications" document type in the agency application system. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED: Most recent performance evaluation

Additional information

Permanent Change of Duty Station (PCS) Expenses will not be paid. Recruitment/Relocation/Retention Incentive may be authorized at Management's discretion. 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. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to Males born after 12-31-1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see https://www.sss.gov/RegVer/wfRegistration.aspx) If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, please contact Sylvia Jackson via email at sylvia.jackson@associates.hq.dhs.gov . Background Investigation: To ensure the accomplishment of its mission, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires each and every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully complete a background investigation for Top Secret/ Sensitive Compartment Information clearance as a condition of placement in this Special Sensitive position. This review includes financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and/or tax obligations, as well as certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Any offers of employment made pursuant to this announcement will be consistent with all applicable authorities, including Presidential Memoranda, Executive Orders, interpretive U. S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance, and Office of Management and Budget plans and policies concerning hiring. These authorities are subject to change. Pursuant to Executive Order 12654 and DHS policy, DHS is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace and, therefore, conducts random and other drug testing of its employees in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Headquarters personnel in safety- or security-sensitive positions are subject to random drug testing and all applicants tentatively selected for employment at DHS Headquarters are subject to drug testing resulting in a negative test result. If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. DHS uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.