Sr. Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Shoulder 2 Shoulder, Inc; Frederick (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Shoulder 2 Shoulder, Inc. seeks an Acquisition Project / Program Management SME to guide VA training program development and instruction for federal acquisition leadership.

The role demands industry-leading expertise to deliver strategic advice and comprehensive analysis. The candidate will lead the ISD/SME team, oversee curriculum development, and coordinate with government leads and stakeholders to ensure timely, high-quality training products.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience at the Director-Level Manager level in either a federal acquisition office (GS-15 and above) or private sector equivalent.
• At least five (5) years demonstrated work experience with Senior Level Program Management and Senior Level Acquisition.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day coordination of the ISD/SME team and maintain clarity on priorities, ownership, deadlines, and dependencies.
• Oversee curriculum-development activity across assigned courses, including SME content, PowerPoint decks, Instructor Guides, Training Guides, Activity Guides, assessments, and supporting materials.
• Coordinate SME-to-ISD and ISD-to-development handoffs and ensure related course components remain aligned.
• Monitor schedules and deliverables; identify risks early; recommend sequencing or schedule adjustments when dependencies affect delivery.
• Facilitate resolution of content, access, quality, staffing, and workflow issues; elevate items that require project or Government direction.
• Maintain leadership visibility through weekly reporting, trackers, meeting support, and documented risks/decisions.
• Coordinate with Government leads, project leadership, SMEs, ISDs, developers, and other stakeholders as needed.
• Support quality assurance, version control, production readiness, and IACET/documentation requirements.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Prioritization

Multitasking

Leadership

English proficiency

Team collaboration

Questioning skills

Rapport building

Education

MS/MA/MBA

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

MS Teams

WebEx

Zoom

Blackboard Collaborate

Job description

The Acquisition Project / Program Management Subject Matter Expert (SME) provides high-level expertise to instructional design teams, supporting the development and instruction of Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA) training programs for federal acquisition leadership. This role requires exceptional qualifications or highly unique expertise, typically recognized as industry-leading, to deliver strategic advice, technical guidance, and comprehensive analysis.

Essential Functions

Acquisition Expertise

• Provide Federal Acquisition Institute subject matter expertise to instructional design teams.
• Support the development and instruction of training programs for acquisition leadership.
• Offer feedback and guidance based on expertise to enhance training quality.

Strategic and Technical Guidance

• Provide strategic advice, technical guidance, and expertise to program and project staff.
• Conduct detailed analysis, evaluation, and recommendations for improvements, optimization, development, and/or maintenance efforts for client-specific or mission-critical challenges/issues.

Consultation and Analysis

• Consult with clients to define needs or problems.
• Supervise studies and lead surveys to collect and analyze data, providing advice and recommending solutions

Core Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day coordination of the ISD/SME team and maintain clarity on priorities, ownership, deadlines, and dependencies.
• Oversee curriculum-development activity across assigned courses, including SME content, PowerPoint decks, Instructor Guides, Training Guides, Activity Guides, assessments, and supporting materials.
• Coordinate SME-to-ISD and ISD-to-development handoffs and ensure related course components remain aligned.
• Monitor schedules and deliverables; identify risks early; recommend sequencing or schedule adjustments when dependencies affect delivery.
• Facilitate resolution of content, access, quality, staffing, and workflow issues; elevate items that require project or Government direction.
• Maintain leadership visibility through weekly reporting, trackers, meeting support, and documented risks/decisions.
• Coordinate with Government leads, project leadership, SMEs, ISDs, developers, and other stakeholders as needed.
• Support quality assurance, version control, production readiness, and IACET/documentation requirements.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to partner and communicate with project clients, and navigate customer relationships
• Highly developed interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to speak publicly with confidence and professionalism
• Proven ability to prioritize projects and tasks based on workflow and current deadlines
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple and competing priorities
• Excellent oral and written English language communications skills
• Proven ability to lead and work as part of a team
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, with a focus on rapport-building, listening, and questioning skills

Qualification and Experience

Education

• MS/MA/MBA or demonstrated equivalent work experience

Experience

• 10+ years’ experience at the Director-Level Manager level in either a federal acquisition office (GS-15 and above) or private sector equivalent
• At least five (5) years demonstrated work experience with Senior Level Program Management and Senior Level Acquisition

Preferred

• Five (5) or more years of VA-specific experience.
• FAC PPM level 3 certification

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with prolonged periods of sitting and standing.
• Travel for in-person work, to Frederick, MD or other VA locations, occasionally
• Ability to operate a computer, maintain a stationary position, and communicate effectively
• May require lifting up to 25 lbs. when handling materials

Office Software and Systems Experience

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 suite
• Experience with virtual platforms such as MS Teams, WebEx, Zoom, and Blackboard Collaborate.
• Flexibility to adapt to new systems and technologies as needed