Performance Management and Performance Pay Team Lead

Golden Key Group; Reston (VA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Golden Key Group in Springfield, VA, seeks an experienced Performance Management and Performance Pay Team Lead to oversee federal performance management, compensation, and pay-pool activities for a federal intelligence agency. The role requires deep knowledge of DCIPS, data analysis, and pay-pool auditing, and serves as the primary contact for the program area.

The successful candidate will lead day-to-day operations, develop reports, ensure compliance, and present executive updates.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in HR, business, public administration, management, or related field.
• Active TS/SCI clearance with a current polygraph.
• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience.
• At least two years with the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS).
• Experience supporting senior-level performance management activities.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the performance management and pay program area.
• Lead day-to-day performance management, compensation, and pay-pool activities.
• Provide guidance on federal performance management regulations and policies.
• Support planning, monitoring, evaluation, rating, and closeout activities.
• Analyze compensation and performance data to identify discrepancies and risks.
• Review and audit pay-pool calculations for accuracy and compliance.
• Develop data models, reports, trackers, and supporting documentation.
• Protect confidential salary and performance information with discretion.
• Coordinate with HR professionals and executives to resolve issues.
• Develop executive-level reports and deliver program updates.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Discretion

Policy interpretation

Project management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, or related discipline

Job description

Performance Management and Performance Pay Team Lead

• ID: 2026-3426
• Category: Human Resources
• Type: Full Time
• Clearance: TS/SCI w/ CI Poly
• Location: US-VA-

About GKG

With a passion for excellence, Golden Key Group (GKG) helps clients solve their strategic, organizational, and operational challenges to better meet their mission demands. We have serviced more than 25 Federal departments and agencies and several large commercial companies since our inception in 2002.

Golden Key Group's talented professionals, combined with our strategic partners, bring a depth of commercial and government experience and expertise. We are relentless in delivering the highest levels of services to provide tangible value and create sustainable results for our clients.

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Performance Management and Performance Pay Team Lead to oversee federal performance management, compensation, and pay-pool activities supporting a federal intelligence agency in Springfield, Virginia.

This individual will serve as the primary point of contact for the assigned program area and provide leadership across performance management and performance-based compensation activities. The ideal candidate brings extensive knowledge of federal performance management regulations, Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System compensation structures, data analysis, and pay-pool auditing.

Location: Springfield, VA

Expected Start: Early 2027

This position is being recruited in support of potential future contract awards, and qualified candidates may be considered for upcoming opportunities supporting federal government clients.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for the assigned performance management and performance pay program area
• Lead the day-to-day execution of federal performance management, compensation, and pay-pool activities
• Provide guidance on federal performance management regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices
• Support performance planning, monitoring, evaluation, rating, and closeout activities
• Apply knowledge of Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System performance management and compensation requirements
• Review and audit pay-pool calculations to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance
• Analyze compensation and performance data to identify discrepancies, trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement
• Develop and maintain data models, reports, trackers, and supporting documentation
• Protect and appropriately handle confidential salary, compensation, and employee performance information
• Identify and implement improvements to federal performance management processes and systems
• Coordinate with Human Resources professionals, managers, executives, and other stakeholders to resolve performance and compensation matters
• Provide clear guidance and recommendations to senior leaders and decision-makers
• Develop and deliver executive-level reports, briefings, and program updates
• Maintain effective, professional communication with senior-level managers, executives, and team members
• Ensure assigned deliverables meet contractual quality, accuracy, and timeliness requirements
• Apply artificial intelligence tools to relevant processes and analyses, as appropriate
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited institution in Human Resources, Business Administration, Public Administration, Management, or a related discipline
• Active TS/SCI clearance with a current polygraph
• Minimum of five years of relevant professional experience
• At least three years of experience working with the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System
• At least two years of experience supporting senior-level performance management activities
• Demonstrated experience applying federal performance management regulations
• Knowledge of Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System compensation structures
• Proven experience reviewing or auditing pay-pool calculations
• Proficiency in data management, analysis, and modeling
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify compensation and performance discrepancies
• Ability to handle confidential salary, compensation, and employee performance information with a high degree of discretion
• Strong leadership, communication, documentation, and stakeholder-management skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with senior-level managers and executives
• Ability to work full-time on-site in Springfield, Virginia

Desired Qualifications

• At least two years of supervisory experience leading a compensation or performance management team
• Experience implementing process improvements within federal performance management systems
• Experience supporting Intelligence Community Human Resources or compensation programs
• Knowledge of pay-pool administration, performance-based compensation, and workforce analytics
• Training or experience using artificial intelligence tools in Human Resources, performance management, compensation, or data analysis
• Professional Human Resources certification, such as SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP, PHR, SPHR, or a federal equivalent