Manager, Programs

RPMGlobal; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 133,615 - 213,784; Full time

Job summary

Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) is seeking a senior analyst to support the EVP, SAC/STPI, in financial planning, contracting, and program development reporting.

The role involves coordinating with COR/CO on project descriptions, funding, and periods of performance, and delivering metric-driven analyses for executive review. Strong data skills and security clearance eligibility are required.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Business Administration or related field; Master’s preferred.
• At least twelve years of business administration and/or program management analysis experience.
• Experience in a government contract environment preferred.
• Experience in a Federally Funded Research and Development Center or similar non-profit analytics environment preferred.
• Experience in a national security-related area preferred.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, Access and SharePoint.
• Experience with data analysis tools such as Tableau, R, Python and Qualtrics.
• Strong attention to detail and communication skills.
• Ability to interact with senior management and government officials.
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate contracting-related activities and act as liaison with COR and CO.
• Monitor and report on contract funding and program development activities.
• Develop metrics and trends for reporting to EVP/President.
• Prepare decision-quality analyses and presentations for executive consumption.
• Assist in streamlining business processes and implementing IT-enabled solutions.
• Support special projects and respond to government acquisition officials’ inquiries.

Skills

Data analysis

Tableau

Python

R

Qualtrics

SharePoint

Excel

Word

Communication

Education

BS/BA in Business Administration or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Tableau

R

Python

Qualtrics

SharePoint

Job description

Summary Statement:In support of the Executive Vice President (EVP), SAC/STPI, provides assistance related to financial planning and analysis, contracting, customer relations, and special projects, including information architectures and the streamlining of business processes. Works independently to coordinate the tracking and summary reporting on program and project development activities at IDA’s Systems and Analyses Center (SAC) and Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI), two Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). Provides guidance to research divisions regarding developing, coordinating and finalizing contract actions, and coordinates with government offices involved in the program development and contracting processes. Serves as the primary corporate interface with the Contracting Officer’s Representative and a frequent corporate interface with the Contracting Officer for the SAC contract. Interfaces with research Division Directors, Division Business Managers, and government sponsors on all matters related to project development and contract-related issues. Assists the EVP, SAC/STPI in other ways, as directed.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Contracting
  • Assists, coordinates and provides guidance to IDA Division Business Managers on matters relating to the submission, modification and administration of new and existing project descriptions. Works closely with IDA’s Finance Directorate on contract modifications and other issues.
  • Serves as the face of IDA to SAC’s Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) and is the principal interface with the COR and Contracting Officer (CO) on project descriptions, notices to proceed, and period-of-performance extensions, and is a primary interface with the COR and CO on matters related to the implementation of changes in government processes affecting IDA’s contract and program development activities.
  • Reviews statements of work, funding levels, and periods of performance in project descriptions, helping research Division management and Project Leaders scope projects that can be executed with the funds provided and time allowed.
  • Interacts with senior IDA management and senior government officials in accomplishing these tasks.
• Financial Planning and Analysis
  • Monitors progress toward meeting annual goals for the size and composition of IDA’s research program, including helping assess periodic Division program plans and developing monthly reports on project development activities.
  • Tracks and reports on contract funding activities for SAC and STPI. Coordinates access to project descriptions at various stages of development, consistent with the needs of research Divisions and operations Directorates.
  • Develops metrics and trends to monitor the status of IDA’s research program – e.g., sponsors, new and continuing research areas, publications, and sponsor performance evaluations. Assists in preparing reports for internal and external audiences.
  • Interacts with senior IDA management in accomplishing these tasks.
• Customer Relations
  • Has a deep understanding of IDA’s mission and the role of FFRDCs in providing high-quality analytic and technical services to the government. Can readily explain the details of both – IDA’s mission and FFRDCs’ role – to government sponsors and others.
  • Serves as a primary interface with research sponsors across government, helping them understand the processes involved in contracting with FFRDCs.
  • Interacts with senior government officials in accomplishing these tasks.
• Special Projects
  • Assists in the development and implementation of special projects, especially those aimed at streamlining IDA’s business processes. Works closely with the Information Technology (IT) Directorate to develop technology solutions – typically involving special purpose, online computer systems – that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of research Division processes. Examples have included a task tracking system, a publications processing system, and an independent research proposal, approval, and accomplishments tracking system.
  • Improves and modernizes IT solutions for IDA’s program management system to streamline tracking, data reporting and analyses
  • Conducts data analyses to support trend analysis and strategic planning, and produces decision-quality presentations of those analyses for EVP and President consumption.
  • Understands AI and its uses to streamline workflows, edit and curate documents and enhance productivity.
  • Assists in the development and implementation of initiatives aimed at improving the understanding of FFRDCs and IDA to external audiences. An example is the development of explanatory materials designed to improve understanding of FFRDCs among Government acquisition officials.
  • Interacts with senior IDA management, senior representatives of other FFRDCs, and senior government officials in accomplishing these tasks.

• Assists the EVP, SAC/STPI with other matters as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements

• BS/BA degree in Business Administration or related field, Master’s degree preferred, with coursework in accounting, business management or information technology.
• At least twelve years of business administration and/or program management analysis experience, preferably in a government contract environment.
• Experience at a Federally Funded Research and Development Center, or other non-profit organization providing analyses or technical products preferred.
• Experience in a national security-related area preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency with PC applications including Word, Excel, Access and SharePoint.
• Experience in analyzing data, extracting trends or conclusions, and communicating results and comfort with data analysis tools such as Tableau, R, Python and Qualtrics.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with senior management, as well as all levels of staff within an organization, and government contracting officials and sponsors.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to exercise tact, diplomacy and good judgment in handling sensitive information and in dealing with challenging individuals.
• Able to persuasively represent IDA’s perspectives to government officials.
• General familiarity with financial management and government contracting.
• Must have initiative and drive, and be able to work independently.
• Ability to obtain and maintain necessary security clearance.

Pay

We support transparency, equity, and fairness in our compensation program and provide a reasonable estimate of the salary range based on data-driven market analysis for each position. While it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range, a reasonable estimate of the salary range for this role is $133,615 - $213,784 Individual salary within this range will be commensurate with the incumbent’s experience, unique skills and qualifications, and other relevant factors.