Secretary of the Navy Offices (SECNAV) logo

DIRECTOR, EXECUTIVE POLICY AND STRATEGY

Secretary of the Navy Offices (SECNAV)

Pentagon, Arlington, VAFull-time$199–228K/yrPosted 1 day ago

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

You apply on the employer's site, with no Olive account needed.

Watch jobs like this.

Don't just apply. Show up ready.

Olive works from this exact posting.

At a glance

Compensation
$199–228K/yr
Location
Pentagon, Arlington, VA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

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

Job overview

The Director, Executive Policy and Strategy serves in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) and leads enterprise civilian executive human capital policy and strategy. The role advises executive leadership and boards, represents the Department of the Navy in inter-agency work, and manages the Executive Management Program Office. Applicants must demonstrate the stated Executive Core and Technical Qualifications in a resume of no more than two pages.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Executive Policy LeadershipHuman Capital Policy DesignLong-Range StrategyEvaluation FrameworksRisk AnalysisCost-Benefit AnalysisExecutive Resource AdvocacyCoalition BuildingNegotiationExecutive Board GovernanceConsensus BuildingResource ManagementBudgetingProcess ImprovementTechnology UpgradesPeople LeadershipChange LeadershipPerformance AccountabilityResults Alignment

Qualifications

Executive Core QualificationsTechnical QualificationsTwo-Page Resume LimitSES QRB Certification

Full job description

Summary

You will serve as the Director, Executive Policy and Strategy in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs) (ASN (M&RA)) in the Department of the Navy.

Duties

  • You will serve as the principal policy architect for the Department of the Navy (DON) senior executive lifecycle, drafting, coordinating, issuing, and maintaining enterprise civilian executive human capital policies, instructions, and directives.
  • You will conduct strategic foresight and risk analysis to design policies governing executive recruitment, development, mobility, succession planning, performance management, retention, and compensation frameworks across the executive cadre.
  • You will direct executive position allocation and tier structuring strategy; collaborate with senior leadership to determine, validate and prioritize requirements for executive-level capabilities across the Department.
  • You will serve as an advisor to the Executive Resources Board and Secretariat leadership providing counsel, objective data analytics and policy-grounded recommendations for executive selections, performance ratings, and compensation adjustments.
  • You will represent the ASN (MRA) and DON in inter-agency working groups with external oversight bodies, monitor legislative proposals, coordinate impact statements, and prepare leadership for congressional inquiries and hearings.
  • You will provide strategic direction, leadership, and overall management of the Executive Management Program Office (EMPO), establishing organizational goals, performance standards, and operational resource requirements.

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. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ#1. Strategic Executive Policy and Program Leadership - Demonstrated ability to lead, design, and implement comprehensive human capital policies, long-range strategies, and evaluation frameworks for a senior executive or specialized executive-level workforce (e.g., SES, SL, ST, DISES, DISL, HQE) at an enterprise or department-wide level. This includes experience translating strategic organizational goals into evidence-based executive policies, conducting macro-level risk and cost-benefit analyses, and defending executive resources to external oversight agencies. TQ#2. High-Level Coalition Building and Executive Board Governance - Proven capability to advise, influence, and negotiate effectively with senior military, political, and civilian leaders (such as Senate-confirmed officials, Flag/General Officers, and SES members) on highly complex and sensitive personnel allocations, structures, and positions. This includes experience directing or serving as the principal advisor to high-level executive governing boards (such as Executive Resources Boards or Performance Review Boards) and building consensus across competing organizational components. 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. 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. 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. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/

How You Will Be Evaluated

Once the application process is complete, a review of your resume and supporting documentation will be conducted. 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 (TQ) listed above. ECQs and TQs must be thoroughly addressed within your two (2) page resume. Separate narratives will not be accepted or reviewed. Highly Qualified applicants may undergo one or more interviews and may be referred to the selecting official for further consideration. 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/. If selected, you may be required to provide supporting documentation. The technical panel will review results and make recommendations on final selections to the approving authorities. This recruitment will utilize the following technical assessment tools: Structured Resume Review and Structured Interview. All qualifications requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Other Information

This position is in the Senior Executive Service (SES), a small elite group of top government leaders. SES members possess a diverse portfolio of experiences including strong skills to lead across organizations. As an executive, you will influence the direction of innovation and transformation of the federal government and lead the next generation of public servants. Veteran's preference does not apply to the Senior Executive Service. This position is not covered by the Department of War Priority Placement Program. Additional vacancies may be filled by this announcement. A tentative offer of employment will be rescinded if the selectee fails to meet the pre-employment requirements, including failure to report to any of the scheduled appointments. Federal annuitant information: The selection of an annuitant is subject to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy policy on the employment of annuitants. Policy information may be found at: http://www.secnav.navy.mil/donhr/Documents/CivilianJobs/FedCivAnnuitants.pdf. A career SES appointment made under this authority does not guarantee that you will be eligible to transfer to another career SES appointment outside of the DoD without the need for you to compete. Other Federal agencies may require you to submit ECQs to OPM's QRB prior to your appointment in that agency. 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 Human Resources Office. There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents: Noncriminal Justice Applicant's Privacy Rights, for those who undergo an FBI fingerprint-based criminal history record check for personnel vetting, which includes Rap Back, FD-258 Privacy Act Statement - FBI (this is the same statement used when your fingerprints are submitted as part of your background investigation), and SEAD-3-Reporting-U.pdf (dni.gov), (applicable to those who hold a sensitive position or have eligibility for access to classified information) The Department/Agency structures its SES positions into categories (i.e. tiers) to determine the pay range for each position. The categories are based on the position scope, breadth, functions, and placement within the structure of organizational levels across the Department/Agency. 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. Employment Information Resources - Resource Center: https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/index.cfm

How this job compares

Set against the 5,685 open Human Resources jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 4, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$199–228K/yr
  • Virginia median$112–159K/yr110 salary ranges
  • US median$95–140K/yr2,672 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $214K, is 55% above the Virginia median midpoint ($138K) — in the top quarter of Human Resources salary ranges in Virginia.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 180 open Human Resources jobs in Virginia and 5,685 across the US. 5% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Virginia
Experience
Human Resources postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 2 to 7 years (4,000 postings).
Education
1,459 of the 5,685 open Human Resources jobs (26%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 4, 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.

Prepare for this role

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.