Becoming the Strategic Architect of the Defense Acquisition Workforce: AcqDemo Program Manager

The Department of Defense relies on a highly capable, agile, and specialized civilian workforce to design, procure, and field the technologies our warfighters need to maintain global operational superiority. Managing the compensation, performance systems, and talent pipelines for this massive workforce requires an equally agile human capital framework. This is the domain of the Department of Defense Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project, universally known as AcqDemo.

Currently, the Warfighting Acquisition University (WarU) is searching for a visionary, highly analytical, and strategic executive to serve as the AcqDemo Program Manager. Based in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, this NH-04 broadband position (equivalent to the GS-14/15 grade levels) represents an unparalleled opportunity to direct alternative personnel policies that directly influence up to 130,000 civilian employees and supervisors across the Military Departments, Defense Agencies, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

If you are an expert in federal human capital strategy, compensation administration, and organizational transformation, this role allows you to steer the future of defense talent acquisition and retention.

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About the Agency: Warfighting Acquisition University (WarU)

WarU is a world-class Department of Defense institution dedicated to educating, training, and supporting defense acquisition professionals. Far more than a traditional training center, WarU serves as an engine of continuous professional evolution. It hosts learning events, produces interactive tools, provides direct consultative assistance to defense organizations, and connects a massive community of practitioners, technical experts, and policymakers.

At its core, WarU champions a culture of lifelong learning. By ensuring that instructors and defense acquisition specialists stay at the cutting edge of industry and military practices, WarU helps maintain the technological and operational advantages of the United States Armed Forces. Joining WarU means becoming part of a forward-thinking, mission-focused environment that treats human capital development as a national security priority.

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Job Responsibilities: Leading a Modern Personnel System

As the AcqDemo Program Manager, you will report directly to Human Capital Initiatives (HCI). Your primary objective is to provide executive leadership, strategic direction, and comprehensive governance for the AcqDemo personnel system. This is one of the federal government's largest alternative civilian personnel demonstration projects.

Key responsibilities include:

• System Governance and Expansion: Overseeing all elements of AcqDemo execution, including legislative policy development, program expansion planning, risk management, and system-wide continuous process improvement.
• Policy Formulation: Leading the creation, interpretation, and modernization of personnel policies that promote strategic recruitment, performance-based compensation, employee retention, and professional development.
• Executive Consultation: Serving as the principal authority and advisor on alternative personnel management systems to senior leaders within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, OPM, and legislative oversight bodies (including Congress and the GAO).
• Regulatory Documentation: Directing the formulation, review, and publication of Federal Register Notices, operating manuals, policy issuances, and strategic communication plans necessary to sustain and scale the program.
• Budget and Resource Management: Designing, defending, and executing the program's operational budget while coordinating with multi-disciplinary, cross-functional teams to ensure statutory compliance.

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Understanding the NH-04 Broadband vs. Traditional GS Schedules

AcqDemo utilizes a broadband system designed to offer greater management flexibility and pay-for-performance precision than the traditional General Schedule (GS). The table below outlines how the NH-04 broadband compares to the legacy GS framework:

Operational Feature	Traditional General Schedule (GS)	AcqDemo Broadband System (NH)
Pay Banding	Rigidly structured into 15 distinct grades with 10 specific steps each.	Broad bands (such as NH-04) that consolidate multiple GS grades (specifically GS-14 and GS-15).
Salary Progression	Generally based on longevity and time-in-grade step increases.	Tied directly to contribution and performance, rewarding high performers faster.
Classification Flexibilities	Demands highly specific, detailed position descriptions for minor job changes.	Uses simplified, contribution-based criteria allowing managers to adjust assignments easily.
Recruitment Advantage	Starting salaries are often locked into Step 1 of a grade without complex approvals.	Offers broader flexibility to align starting compensation with market realities.

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Requirements and Qualifications

To excel in this highly visible leadership position, candidates must meet robust federal qualifications and possess targeted specialized experience.

General Requirements

• Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of the United States.
• Security Clearance: The position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• Suitability: Candidates must clear a background suitability/security investigation.
• Location: The position is located at Fort Belvoir, VA. While telework is supported according to agency policy, remote work is not available, and regular physical reporting each pay period is required.

Specialized Experience

Candidates must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower broadband level (NH-03) or next lower grade (GS-13) in the federal service or equivalent private-sector systems. This specialized experience must clearly demonstrate:

1. Workforce Program Management: Direct experience leading enterprise-level talent management systems, personnel demonstration projects, pay administration frameworks, or performance systems.
2. Policy Expertise: A background in analyzing, developing, interpreting, and implementing federal personnel statutes, workforce legislation, and civil service guidelines.
3. Executive Communication: Proven success directing cross-functional teams, driving large-scale change initiatives, and presenting critical policy analyses to high-level stakeholders (e.g., congressional staff, OPM, GAO, or senior DoD executives).

Note: Education cannot be substituted for specialized experience for this broadband level.

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Salary and Benefits Overview

This role offers a competitive salary within the NH-04 band, ranging from $143,913 to $197,200 per year, depending on qualifications and performance-based determinations.

In addition to monetary compensation, the position comes with a premium federal benefits package, including:

• Healthcare Coverage: Comprehensive options for Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), dental, vision, and long-term care insurance.
• Retirement Security: Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) pension program alongside the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with up to 5% agency matching contributions.
• Paid Time Off: Accrual of annual and sick leave, plus 11 paid federal holidays.
• Work-Life Balance: Telework opportunities designed to accommodate mission requirements and personal needs.
• Academics and Growth: Free access to continuous training programs, certifications, and educational events run by WarU.

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Application Tips: Navigating the 2-Page Resume Rule

Applying for high-level federal positions requires meticulous attention to detail. This announcement features unique constraints that, if ignored, will result in immediate disqualification:

1. The Strict 2-Page Limit: Your resume must not exceed two pages. The screening panel will not review any information on a third page. Be concise, focus on high-impact accomplishments, and ensure your layout is clean and professional.
2. Document Your Hours: For every position listed, you must state the exact dates of employment (Month/Year to Month/Year) and the number of hours worked per week. If you worked part-time, clearly indicate this (e.g., "20 hours/week"). Failing to include hours worked will lead to your application being marked as insufficient.
3. Exclude Prohibited Information: Do not include photographs, links to social media accounts, age, sex, religion, or social security numbers on your resume. Including any of these will result in your application being discarded.
4. Provide Clear SF-50 Records: Current or former federal employees must submit an SF-50 that proves they have held their highest permanent grade for at least 52 continuous weeks. If a recent SF-50 does not show this, submit multiple historical SF-50s (such as within-grade increases or promotions) to substantiate your eligibility.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What exactly is AcqDemo?

AcqDemo is the Department of Defense Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project. It is an alternative personnel system designed to attract, retain, and motivate professional acquisition personnel by utilizing broadbands instead of rigid GS grades and implementing a pay-for-performance model.

Q2: Is this a supervisory position?

While this role involves high-level policy guidance and programmatic oversight of a system affecting 130,000 employees, any newly assigned supervisory duties may require an additional supervisory probationary period of one year.

Q3: What happens after I submit my application?

Once the application window closes, a panel will review all qualified submissions. Candidates with superior qualification packages will be referred to the hiring manager for potential interviews. Suitability and security background checks occur following a tentative job offer.

Q4: Can active-duty military members apply?

Yes. Under the VOW Act, active-duty service members can apply before release. You must submit an official branch certification memo on official letterhead outlining your anticipated discharge dates and character of service in lieu of a DD-214.

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The position of AcqDemo Program Manager at the Warfighting Acquisition University is more than a standard human resources leadership role. It is a highly visible, strategically critical appointment that influences how the Department of Defense rewards, classifies, and manages its world-class acquisition professionals. If you possess the specialized experience, the policy acumen, and the dedication needed to lead a personnel system of this scale, start preparing your two-page resume today and submit your application before the closing date.