Senior IT Project Manager

National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)•Chantilly, VA

3d•$148,275 - $197,200

About The Position

For over sixty years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America's advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet. Do you have experience managing complex IT projects in national security environments? Are you skilled at leading technology initiatives for critical systems? Does managing projects for space-based reconnaissance systems interest you? If so, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) is looking for you! The NRO Cadre is collecting resumes via a continuous announcement for consideration against current and future opportunities for senior level (GG-14-15) Senior IT Project Managers, occupational series 2210. For more information on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series, click here. This position focuses on the following DoD 8140 Work Role(s): IT Project Manager (802) This is a fulltime position. Your resume may be considered for other positions which your skills and experience may be a good match. This position is open to the public. Federal government employees MUST currently be at the grade level or higher as indicated in this announcement. This is NOT a promotion opportunity for current Federal government employees. If selected for the position, Federal government employees will transition laterally at their current grade level and step. Federal applicants who exceed the advertised grade may voluntarily request acceptance at the lower grade IAW DoD 1400.25 Volume 2006. The NRO is only accepting external applicants for this job announcement. Current NRO Cadre employees should apply internally. This position does not qualify for the appointment of a Reemployed Federal Annuitant IAW DoDI 1400.25 Volume 300. Senior IT Project Managers require expertise in one or more of the following areas: Project Leadership - Serve as an expert project manager and consultant, managing and directing multiple highly complex and innovative IT and cybersecurity projects and initiatives. Lead, coordinate, communicate, integrate, and be accountable for the overall success of the program, ensuring alignment with critical agency priorities. Strategic Planning - Develop comprehensive project plans, schedules, and resource requirements for enterprise-level IT initiatives. Establish strategic direction for major IT acquisitions and implementations that support the agency's mission. Cybersecurity Integration - Ensure cybersecurity requirements are integrated throughout the project lifecycle at a strategic level. Oversee the implementation of security controls and risk management frameworks for mission-critical systems. Acquisition Management - Lead the acquisition of IT systems and services in accordance with federal regulations at an enterprise level. Develop and implement acquisition strategies for complex IT programs. Leadership to Ad Hoc Teams - Lead cross-functional teams at scale or in highly complex environments to develop innovative IT solutions. Focus team efforts towards current goals and priorities. Plan, develop, and execute largescale IT projects that transform the manner in which work is accomplished. Relationship Management - Work closely with customer agencies in senior leadership roles and navigate conflicting priorities from senior stakeholders or in complex environments. Reinforce, uphold, and advocate core principles for building IT services, including building in the open, developing software using agile and lean methodologies, and using user-centered design methods.

Requirements

Minimum of 8 years of specialized experience in IT project management
Mastery of and directly applicable experience with advanced IT project management principles, concepts, methods, standards, and practices
Experience developing and interpreting policies, procedures, and strategies governing the planning and delivery of services throughout the agency
Proven ability to provide expert technical advice, guidance, and recommendations to management and other technical specialists on critical IT project management issues
Significant experience applying new developments to previously unsolvable problems and making decisions or recommendations that significantly influence important agency IT policies or programs
Proven ability to manage largescale projects from end to end to include leading cross-functional teams
Demonstrated experience communicating with high-ranking stakeholders to resolve issues, provide executive briefings and status updates
Experience delivering IT products using Agile and lean methodologies
Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and practices as they relate to IT project management at an enterprise level
Experience with federal acquisition processes and regulations for major IT programs
Specialized experience is defined as experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.
Qualifying experience may have been acquired in any public or private sector job, but will clearly demonstrate past experience in the application of the particular competencies/knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully perform and is typically in or directly related to the duties of the position as described above. Experience must be reflected in your resume.
Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum, “Merit Hiring Plan,” dated May 29, 2025, https://www.opm.gov/chcoc/latest-memos/merit-hiring-plan.pdf will not be eligible for consideration. For more information regarding resume writing, see “Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume” and visit the Resume Help Center.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, or Computer Science from an ABET accredited or CAE designated institution

Responsibilities

Serve as an expert project manager and consultant, managing and directing multiple highly complex and innovative IT and cybersecurity projects and initiatives.
Lead, coordinate, communicate, integrate, and be accountable for the overall success of the program, ensuring alignment with critical agency priorities.
Develop comprehensive project plans, schedules, and resource requirements for enterprise-level IT initiatives.
Establish strategic direction for major IT acquisitions and implementations that support the agency's mission.
Ensure cybersecurity requirements are integrated throughout the project lifecycle at a strategic level.
Oversee the implementation of security controls and risk management frameworks for mission-critical systems.
Lead the acquisition of IT systems and services in accordance with federal regulations at an enterprise level.
Develop and implement acquisition strategies for complex IT programs.
Lead cross-functional teams at scale or in highly complex environments to develop innovative IT solutions.
Focus team efforts towards current goals and priorities.
Plan, develop, and execute largescale IT projects that transform the manner in which work is accomplished.
Work closely with customer agencies in senior leadership roles and navigate conflicting priorities from senior stakeholders or in complex environments.
Reinforce, uphold, and advocate core principles for building IT services, including building in the open, developing software using agile and lean methodologies, and using user-centered design methods.