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Executive Director, Mission Center for National Resilience

DHS Headquarters

Washington, DCFull-time$152–228K/yrPosted 1w ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$152–228K/yr
Location
Washington, DC
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

TS/SCI clearance, required

Job overview

The Executive Director leads the Mission Center for National Resilience within DHS S&T’s HSARPA. The role directs research, development, testing, and evaluation to strengthen critical information infrastructure and DHS cyber and infrastructure protection. It coordinates planning and budgeting, assesses capabilities and technical options with government, international, domestic, and private-sector experts, and integrates S&T programs across funding categories to support research, risk mitigation, and technology transition.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Scientific and Technology Management, requiredCybersecurity, requiredInfrastructure Protection, requiredResearch and Development Management, requiredBudget Management, requiredStrategic Resource Management, requiredLeadership, requiredChange Management, requiredTechnical Assessment, required

Qualifications

Executive Core Qualifications, requiredTechnical Qualifications, requiredTop Secret/SCI Clearance, requiredSelective Service Registration or Exemption, required

Benefits

Relocation Assistance

Full job description

Summary

The Executive Director, Mission Center for National Resilience position is located in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA).

Duties

The Executive Director, Mission Center for National Resilience is responsible to the Executive Director, HSARPA for developing the tools and technologies that improve the capability of homeland security in areas such as; cyber technology and network defense; infrastructure and emerging risks; and response and resilience. Specific responsibilities include: Leads the research, development, test and evaluation to secure the Nation's critical information infrastructure, through coordinated efforts that improve the security of existing and future cyber infrastructure. Coordinates with the Executive Director, HSARPA on planning, programming, and budgeting efforts, emphasizing changes in Mission Center programs resulting from his/her understanding of future needs. Leads the direction for DHS S&T cyber and infrastructure protection. Coordinates with experts in multiple agencies, international, and domestic in addition to the private sector to analyze capabilities, deficiencies, and projected effects of options and potential changes of systems, equipment, devices or protocols. Leads the programmatic and technical assessments of S&T efforts to ensure research breadth, quality, and balance. Identifies alternative technical solutions to problems and addressestechnological gaps and shortfalls within assigned technology areas. Ensures S&T programs are integrated across funding categories to foster and encourage scientific research, mature science and technology, define and mitigate technical risk, and facilitate effective transition within the constraints of law and regulation. 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 should 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). A sample 2-pages resume that incorporates ECQs and TQs can be viewed on this link (indexed at page 16 - 17) Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ 1: Demonstrates a mastery of scientific and technology management principles, practices, and approaches to conceive, initiate, recommend, coordinate, monitor, and review innovating projects to provide high performance systems reflective of all relevant technologies and current research. TQ 2: Demonstrated experience in managing activities addressing complex cyber issues to safeguard and secure cyberspace and/or infrastructure and emerging risks to support and response and resilience. 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. Detailed information on each ECQs, the underlying and fundamental competencies, and information regarding the Structured Interview QRB (SIQRB) Process are available in the "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications and the Qualifications Review Board." 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. Veterans Preference: Veterans' preference is not applicable to the SES. Current or Former Political Appointees: OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Noncareer SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the DHS Headquarters Executive Services team.

Education

There is no educational requirement for this position. How You Will Be Evaluated

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 highly/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. Other 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 Muriel Williams via email at [email protected] . 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.

How this job compares

Set against the 562 open Executive Director jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$152–228K/yr
  • US median$180–260K/yr388 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $190K, is 14% below the US median midpoint ($220K) — in the middle half of Executive Director salary ranges across the US.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 11 open Executive Director jobs in Washington, D.C. and 562 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most across the US
Experience
Executive Director postings that state a minimum ask for 8 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 5 to 10 years (409 postings).
Education
270 of the 562 open Executive Director jobs (48%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 10, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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