Managing the Machinery of Justice: Becoming an SEC Assistant Director - Business Manager

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) represents the bedrock of market integrity in the United States, maintaining fair, orderly, and efficient markets while protecting retail and institutional investors alike. At the heart of this formidable mission is the Division of Enforcement (ENF). While the division's attorneys, accountants, and investigators work diligently to detect and prosecute violations of federal securities laws, an equally vital team works behind the scenes to manage the administrative and operational engines that power these investigations.

The SEC is currently seeking a visionary leader to step into the role of Assistant Director - Business Manager within the Division of Enforcement’s Office of the Managing Executive. Located in Washington, D.C., this highly compensated SK-17 position (equivalent to the senior ranks of the GS system) offers a salary range of $185,350 to $292,300 per year. If you are an experienced administrative leader with an expert handle on budgeting, human resources, facilities management, and technology optimization, this career opportunity allows you to drive the organizational health of one of the nation’s most vital regulatory bodies.

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About the Agency: The Division of Enforcement

Historically, the SEC has served as the federal agency responsible for regulating the securities markets and protecting investors. Within the SEC, the Division of Enforcement is the enforcement arm that investigates potential violations of the federal securities laws and brings civil charges in federal court or in administrative proceedings.

To operate effectively, the Division of Enforcement relies on the Office of the Managing Executive (OME). The OME acts as the business backbone of the division, coordinating crucial tasks such as:

• Strategic budget allocation and procurement processes
• Workforce recruitment, position classification, and overall human capital strategy
• Infrastructure management, business intelligence, and physical office space logistics
• Regulatory and statutory compliance, including records retention and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) administration

Working within the OME means direct involvement in ensuring that the division’s hundreds of investigators and attorneys have the operational tools, physical space, financial resources, and technological support required to successfully protect the American investing public.

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Job Responsibilities: The Scope of Leadership

As the Assistant Director - Business Manager, you will serve as a premier administrative leader. Your responsibilities span the entirety of the Division of Enforcement's operational infrastructure. On a day-to-day basis, the selected candidate will focus on several vital functional areas:

1. Daily Operations & Human Capital Support

You will manage the operational framework of the Division of Enforcement, with direct oversight of hiring practices, administrative support, budget frameworks, facilities, and physical records systems. Your leadership will directly influence how staff are onboarded, supported, and organized to meet changing investigative demands.

2. Strategic Resource Planning & Optimization

You will develop and implement long-term strategies to maximize the effectiveness of human capital and financial resources. This includes matching staffing levels to high-priority caseloads, ensuring fiscal discipline, and championing technological advancements to increase operational speed.

3. Operational Analysis and Process Improvement

A key component of this role is evaluating current workflows to find system shortfalls. You will identify administrative bottlenecks, evaluate cutting-edge software and hardware tools, and direct the development of management systems designed to streamline compliance, review, and programmatic analysis.

4. Financial Systems Oversight

Working alongside other executive staff, you will direct and coordinate the division's complex financial activities. This involves preparing and reviewing both recurring and ad-hoc financial reports, conducting internal audits, and modernizing program management systems to guarantee compliance with federal financial standards.

5. Records and FOIA Management

You will lead the strategies surrounding division records and public disclosure. This includes establishing policies for creating, archiving, and destroying active and inactive SEC records. Additionally, you will coordinate responses to high-volume FOIA requests, offering direction to staff regarding sensitive public information disclosure policies.

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Required Qualifications and Specialized Experience

This position is graded at the SK-17 level, which aligns with highly specialized senior leadership roles. To qualify, candidates must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 or SK-14 level in either the public or private sector.

Your resume must show proof of success in the following three areas:

1. Administrative Program Oversight: Directing and managing complex, multi-faceted business programs, including budgeting, federal procurement, human capital management, and strategic resource allocation.
2. Policy Formulation and Implementation: Developing and deploying administrative guidelines, operational policies, and organizational procedures to achieve high-level agency objectives.
3. Core Operational Expertise: Experience working in at least two of the following domains:
   • Management Analysis (evaluating workflow efficiency, organizational design, or program performance)
   • Risk Management (identifying operational liabilities and developing mitigation frameworks)
   • Acquisitions Management (managing contract lifecycles, vendor evaluations, or procurement workflows)
   • General Administrative Services (coordinating complex facility space requirements, travel management systems, or logistical services)

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Competencies & The Critical Accomplishment Record

If the SEC's human resources division finds your initial application qualified, you will be required to submit an Accomplishment Record within three business days of receiving the notification. This record is highly structured and must demonstrate proficiency in four key executive competencies:

• Developing and Managing Others: Your ability to recruit, mentor, and lead a diverse workforce to meet strategic organizational milestones, demonstrating minimal need for supervision.
• Critical Thinking: Your capability to synthesize multifaceted financial, technical, and regulatory data points to make informed operational decisions.
• Project Management: Your success in designing, launching, and executing large-scale organizational initiatives that deliver measurable results aligned with agency goals.
• Strategic Execution: Your capacity to understand administrative policy and execute operations while anticipating environmental factors, such as changing federal budgets or legislative shifts.

Accomplishment Record Structure

Each competency narrative must be strictly limited to 300 words and formatted as follows:

1. Competency Title
2. Position Title & Dates of Employment (matching your resume details)
3. The Situation: Describe the challenge, operational shortfall, or structural issue you faced.
4. The Action: Detail the specific methodologies and personal leadership efforts you applied.
5. The Outcome: Highlight the measurable results, efficiencies gained, or long-term benefits.
6. Verification: Provide the name and contact email of a professional who can verify the accomplishment.

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Salary and Grade Overview

The Securities and Exchange Commission utilizes an alternative pay system known as the SK grading scale rather than the typical General Schedule (GS) structure. This scale allows the SEC to provide enhanced, market-competitive pay that is closer to private-sector standards, helping the agency attract top financial and administrative talent.

Pay Parameter	Details for SK-17 Position
Minimum Salary	$185,350 per year
Maximum Salary	$292,300 per year
Pay Band / Grade	SK-17 (Equivalent to senior GS-15/Senior Level)
Location	Washington, District of Columbia
Travel Requirement	Non-travel position (0%)
Hiring Classification	Merit Promotion and Special Hiring Authorities

Note: Final salary determinations within the posted range are dependent on duty location, qualifications, and the SEC’s established pay-setting guidelines. External candidates may submit a comprehensive resume for pay-setting purposes after a tentative job offer is issued.

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Premium Benefits & Perks

In addition to the competitive SK-salary structure, the SEC offers an enhanced suite of federal benefits designed to encourage work-life balance and provide long-term security:

• Enhanced Retirement Programs: Comprehensive coverage under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) coupled with the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which features an agency-matching contribution up to 5%.
• Robust Healthcare Options: Access to the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program, featuring top-tier health, vision, and dental plans, alongside specialized SEC-sponsored supplemental programs.
• Generous Paid Leave: Accrual of annual leave for vacation and personal use, dedicated sick leave, and observance of 11 federal holidays.
• Professional Development: Opportunities for continuing education, leadership coaching, and enrollment in specialized executive development programs.
• Work-Life Balance: While this position is high-risk and located on-site in Washington, D.C., the SEC supports family-friendly programs, public transportation subsidies, and wellness resources.

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Application Tips for Success

Securing a senior administrative role at the SEC is a highly competitive process. Follow these strategic tips to optimize your application:

1. Comply with the 2-Page Resume Limit: This is a strict rule. Resumes that exceed two pages will be deemed ineligible and discarded immediately. Condense your career history into a high-impact, two-page layout.
2. Tailor Your Experience: Ensure your resume contains concrete keywords reflecting the specialized experience required. Use terms like "human capital management," "budget execution," "procurement administration," "FOIA compliance," and "process optimization."
3. Draft Your Accomplishment Narratives Early: Do not wait for the HR notification to write your Accomplishment Record. Because of the quick three-day turnaround window, write and refine these 300-word essays in advance using the required format.
4. Confirm Your Competitive Service Status: If you are a current or former federal employee, you must upload your most recent non-award SF-50. Ensure the document shows your competitive status, highest grade achieved, and promotion potential.
5. Review the Application Questionnaire: Take the time to preview the application questionnaire through the USA Staffing link to align your resume with the self-assessment queries.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is this position eligible for remote work or telework?

No, this position is classified as on-site in Washington, District of Columbia. While some standard agency telework agreements may apply based on internal policies, it is not a remote role.

Q2: What happens if my resume is longer than two pages?

Your application will be marked as ineligible. The SEC enforcement and HR review panels strictly enforce the two-page resume limit to ensure an equal evaluation process for all applicants.

Q3: Who can apply under this merit promotion announcement?

This vacancy is open to applicants qualifying under various merit promotion pathways, including career transition programs (CTAP/ICTAP), individuals with disabilities, military spouses, veterans (VEOA), and former land management employees.

Q4: Will a background check be performed?

Yes. Due to the sensitive nature of the Division of Enforcement's regulatory activities, this position is designated as High Risk (HR) and requires an in-depth suitability and security background investigation.

Q5: How is pay set for external hires?

External candidates who receive a tentative job offer will be allowed to submit a comprehensive resume reflecting their full private-sector earning history. This document is utilized by the SEC's compensation team to establish an equitable starting salary within the SK-17 range.

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The role of Assistant Director - Business Manager within the SEC's Division of Enforcement is an exceptional opportunity for a senior-level operations professional. By managing the administrative processes, financial resources, and human capital of this critical regulatory division, you will directly support the SEC's mission to protect investors and maintain fair, orderly, and efficient markets.

Ensure your application package is polished, tailor your resume to the strict two-page limit, and prepare your accomplishment records in advance. Submit your application through USAJOBS by the closing date of September 14, 2026 to take the next step in your public service leadership career.