Managing Director - Operations Job

Vacancy No. CAO-25-IMP-12757010 Department Government Accountability Office
Salary $150,160.00 to $225,700.00 Grade 00 to 00
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 7/25/2025 Close Date 8/15/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Los Angeles, CAOakland, CADenver, CODistrict of Columbia, DC


Summary

This position is located in the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Operations office. The Managing Director for Operations provides executive leadership of operations and administers program services on behalf of the Chief Administrative and Financial Officer through its operational offices. The position also includes overseeing the day-to-day operations to ensure they align with the strategic goals of GAO and operate efficiently and effectively.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

Internal to permanent GAO employees. This position may be filled in any of the GAO field office locations or GAO headquarters.

Duties

As a Managing Director - Operations, ES, 0340, 00, your typical work assignments may include the following:

  • Leads the development and implementation of operations support initiatives across GAO administrative units, including facilities management, security, logistics, administrative services, and internal process improvement. Major program management functions include the efficient and effective operation of critical agency business functions including employee onboarding functions, Time and Attendance; Voluntary Transfer Program; and the Travel Voucher Program processing.
  • Facilitates opportunities for geographically dispersed GAO employees to assist with the efficient execution of the mission work through the operation of the Field Assistance Program and promotes collaboration and connection opportunities for all GAO employees working outside of Headquarters.
  • Keeps abreast of a broad range of operations related trends and best practices, incorporating developments into the vision and strategic direction of the agency and enabling greater efficiencies in business processes.
  • Coordinates with stakeholders across GAO mission teams and operational support offices to assess needs, identify gaps, and deploy effective support strategies. Partners and collaborative agreements with executives across the agency on difficult, sensitive, and/or unprecedented issues requiring special consideration and attention as it relates to the execution of operation functions and agency administrative program activities.
  • Serves as a member of GAO governance boards, which cover areas that are not limited to the OS mission, and may include: human capital, information technology, process improvement, infrastructure operations, data governance, professional development, etc.
  • Leads working groups or task forces to analyze operational challenges, recommend strategic improvements, and facilitate cross-office collaboration.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • You must be a current permanent GAO employee.
  • You must be registered with the Selective Service, as applicable.
  • You will be required to complete a background investigation.
  • You may be subject to serve a one year SES probationary period.
  • You must be able to obtain a Top-Secret security clearance.
  • A financial disclosure is required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
The Senior Executive Service (SES) appointments require one year (52 weeks) of specialized experience at the next lower band/grade at the GS-14/GS-15 level, Bands III, IV, MS-I, MS-II, Senior Executive Service, Senior Level, or (equivalent) in the Federal Service, or comparable private/public sector.

Technical Qualifications:
Technical qualifications (TQ's) are experience that has equipped the applicant with the competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled.

The required technical qualifications are the following:

TQ 1 -- Program and Project Management - Demonstrates advanced knowledge and skill in planning, organizing, executing, and evaluating complex programs and projects in alignment with organizational goals and federal standards. Effectively applies project management principles to deliver operational support initiatives on time, within scope, and on budget. Manages risks, resources, and interdependencies across teams, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability.

TQ 2 -- Administration and Management - Knowledge of planning, coordination, and execution of business functions, resource allocation, and production.

TQ 3 -- Stakeholder Engagement - Anticipates and meets the needs of both internal and external customers. Delivers high-quality products and services; is committed to continuous improvement.

Executive core qualifications (ECQs)

The ECQs assess executive experience and potential. They measure whether you have the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of Senior Executive Service positions.

The ECQs for this position are:
  • Leading Change: This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment.
  • Leading People: This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organizations vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts.
  • Results Driven: This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks.
  • Business Acumen: This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically.
  • Building Coalitions: This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals.

NOTE: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

There is no education requirement for this position.

Additional information

OPTION FOR ADDITIONAL SELECTIONS: Based on the staffing needs, additional selections may be made through this vacancy announcement.

Travel and relocation expenses will not be paid for by the GAO.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: GAO provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request accommodation, please email ReasonableAccommodations@gao.gov.The U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

The U.S. Government Accountability Office's policy is to provide equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

If you meet the qualification requirements stated above, you will be further rated based on your responses to the vacancy questions. Please make sure that your responses to the vacancy questions are supported in your resume. Please follow all instructions carefully. If you provide incomplete answers, fail to provide a narrative response to any vacancy question(s) that requires further explanation, or if your response to a vacancy question is "see resume", your rating may be affected or you may be determined ineligible.

Your qualifications will be evaluated on the following:

Basis for rating

How you will be evaluated:

The servicing Human Resources Specialist will forward all minimally qualified applicants to be evaluated by a Rating and Ranking Panel of senior managers to determine the degree to which they possess the executive core and professional/technical qualifications, and best qualified candidates may undergo an interview and a reference check. The Panel will make recommendations on best/highly qualified candidates to the appointing authority. Applicants will be evaluated on the quality and extent of their total accomplishments, experience, the ECQs, and the TQs.

Veterans' preference: Is not applicable to positions in the Senior Executive Service.

Required Documents

You must provide a complete application package which includes:

1. Resume: Must be created using the USAJOBS resume builder and show relevant work experience.
2. Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50 or equivalent) Current GAO employees must submit their most recent SF-50 showing tenure, type of service (competitive/excepted), as well as the highest grade/band held. The SF-50 must show that you are currently a GAO employee.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the online application and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.

A complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration.

- To begin, click Apply to access the online application. You will need to be logged into your USAJOBS account to apply. If you do not have a USAJOBS account, you will need to create one before beginning the application.

- Follow the prompts to select your résumé and/or other supporting documents to be included with your application package. You will have the opportunity to upload additional documents to include in your application before it is submitted. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.

- After acknowledging you have reviewed your application package, complete the Include Personal Information section as you deem appropriate and click to continue with the application process.- You will be taken to the online application which you must complete in order to apply for the position. Complete the online application, verify the required documentation is included with your application package, and submit the application.

To verify the status of your application, log into your USAJOBS account (https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login), all of your applications will appear on the Welcome screen. The Application Status will appear along with the date your application was last updated. For information on what each Application Status means, visit: https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/how-to/application/status/.

If you are unable to apply online, please contact Stephanie Ayton at aytons@gao.gov or 404-679-1879 by 4 p.m. on the closing date of the announcement.

For technical issue with USAJOBS: Please refer to the USAJOBS help page.

Agency contact information

Stephanie Ayton
Address
Government Accountability Office
Human Capital Office
441 G Street NW
Washington, DC 20548
US

Next steps

After the closing date of this announcement, GAO's Human Capital Office will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications by reviewing your assessment questionnaire and resume to complete an analysis. Please be as complete and thorough as possible. If your application is rated "best-qualified," your name will be referred to the selecting official for consideration. At this point you may be contacted for an interview.

If you do not meet the key requirements and/or basic qualifications or you fail to submit all required application materials, your application will not be considered.

Additional Locations

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Chicago, IL
  • Boston, MA
  • Dayton, OH
  • Dallas, TX
  • Norfolk, VA
  • Seattle, WA


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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