Deputy Comptroller (Program/Budget)

Office of the Secretary of Defense • Arlington, VA

1d

About The Position

The Deputy Comptroller (Program/Budget) directs and supervises the Department of War’s planning, programming, budgeting, and execution process, and oversees governance, modernization, and agile execution of the Department’s programming and resource-allocation systems to meet evolving national security demands. The role advises senior Department leadership on budgetary policy and directs the formulation, justification, and defense of Department resource portfolios and policy initiatives.

The Deputy Comptroller serves as the principal advisor to the Under Secretary of War (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer on the strategic basis, justification, and alignment of major features of the proposed Department program and budget. The role provides executive leadership for continuous modernization of programming and resource-allocation frameworks, and directs the architecture, integration, and modernization of enterprise-wide business and budgeting systems to improve real-time decision-making and agile deployment of Department resources.

The position is a Senior Executive Service role. The incumbent must be a U.S. citizen, obtain a Top Secret clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information, pass required drug testing, file an executive financial disclosure report, and comply with Department financial-management certification requirements within the allotted timeframe. A one-year probationary period applies unless previously completed in the SES. The role requires an enterprise perspective and the ability to work with internal and external partners in support of national security objectives. SES leaders may be subject to organizational, functional, and geographic reassignment.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
• Submit to required drug testing and receive a negative result before appointment; designated and/or random drug testing is required.
• File an Executive Branch Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (OGE-278).
• Comply with Department Financial Management Certification Program requirements within the allotted timeframe; this is a Financial Management Level 3 certified position.
• Meet the Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications, demonstrated in a resume of no more than two pages.
• Demonstrated executive experience directing strategic formulation, national-level defense, and portfolio-wide governance of multibillion-dollar defense resourcing frameworks, including negotiating resource trade-offs and policy alignments at the highest executive and legislative levels.
• Demonstrated ability to architect and institutionalize enterprise-wide transformations of financial management systems and processes, establish systemic policy reforms and financial controls, and integrate acquisition, technology, and fiscal structures to drive modernization in a global, complex organization.
• Demonstrate the five Executive Core Qualifications: commitment to the rule of law and the principles of the American founding; driving efficiency; merit and competence; leading people; and achieving results.
• Demonstrate an enterprise perspective, broad awareness of organizational responsibilities in relation to Department or government-wide strategic priorities, and the ability to work with partners in support of national security objectives.
• Sign the Reassignment Rights Obligations Agreement if newly appointed as a Career SES leader.
• Serve a one-year SES probationary period unless previously completed.
• If male and born after December 31, 1959, be registered for Selective Service or exempt.
• Submit the application and required documents online by 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on November 18, 2026.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and coordinate the Department of War budget program.
• Establish plans and policies for the conduct of budget programs and recommend overall budgetary policies to the Under Secretary of War (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer and the Secretary of War.
• Direct the strategic formulation, justification, and defense of Department resource portfolios and policy initiatives for senior Department leadership.
• Advise the Under Secretary of War (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer on the strategic basis, justification, and alignment of major features of the proposed Department program and budget.
• Provide executive leadership for planning, directing, and continuously modernizing Department programming and resource-allocation frameworks.
• Direct the architecture, integration, and modernization of enterprise-wide business and budgeting systems to support real-time decision-making and agile deployment of Department resources.
• Work with internal and external partners to support national security objectives.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: No Education Listed