USAF Force Modernization Senior Consultant

Kearney & Company • Arlington, VA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Kearney & Company is seeking a Senior Consultant to join our team supporting the Headquarters Department of the Air Force (HQ DAF) Deputy Chief of Staff for Force Modernization (AF/A5/7). This role involves supporting Air Force senior leaders and action officers with force modernization analysis, requirements, resourcing, and integration. The consultant will integrate operational mission requirements with future-focused force design and advanced capability development efforts, develop operational concepts, identify capability gaps, and analyze Air Force performance in the future operating environment. Responsibilities also include assisting with the development, assessment, and refinement of strategic concepts, operational frameworks, and implementation plans supporting force modernization. The position supports the Strategy, Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (SPPBE) process, including Program Objective Memorandum (POM) development, issue analysis, prioritization, and resource integration. The consultant will engage with senior leaders from Department of the Air Force (DAF), major commands (MAJCOMs), combatant commands (CCMDs), and other Department of War (DoW) stakeholders to facilitate integrated planning efforts. Additionally, the role supports executive steering groups, working groups, and integrated product teams tasked with working high priority, time sensitive issues for DAF senior leaders. The consultant will develop executive-level briefings, white papers, bullet background papers, decision support materials, and other documentation for Air Force senior leaders. Key activities include monitoring evolving security and defense strategies, emerging technologies, operational requirements, and policy changes impacting Air Force modernization initiatives, and providing recommendations that improve alignment between operational requirements, capability development, acquisition planning, resource allocation, and program execution. Ensuring all deliverables meet government quality standards, contractual requirements, and established project schedules is also a critical aspect of this role.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience supporting Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force, other military services, or other federal defense organizations.
• Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Ability to translate complex operational and technical information into concise executive briefings and written reports.
• Experience facilitating cross-functional collaboration among military, civilian, and contractor organizations.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Teams.
• Active Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility required

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Public Policy, National Security, Operations Research, Military Science, Systems Engineering, Political Science, National Security Studies, Systems Engineering, Public Administration, Business Administration, Operations Research, or a related discipline.
• Direct experience supporting Headquarters Air Force (HAF), Air Staff A5/7, MAJCOM headquarters, Joint Staff, or the Office of the Secretary of War.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Air Force long-term strategy, planning, force development, or force modernization initiatives.
• Working knowledge of the Department of Defense Strategic Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (SPPBE) process.
• Experience supporting Program Objective Memorandum (POM) development, program analysis, or resource planning activities.
• Understanding of Department of Defense operational missions, capability development, and strategic planning processes.
• Knowledge of Air Force design, integrated capability development, and strategic concept development processes.
• Experience integrating operational planning, capability development, acquisition, and resource management activities.
• Familiarity with the National Defense Strategy, Defense Planning Guidance, and DoD strategic planning frameworks.
• Experience supporting senior executive governance boards, capability portfolio reviews, or modernization decision forums.
• Background in defense acquisition, systems engineering, modeling and simulation, campaign analysis, or force structure analysis.
• Professional certifications such as DAWIA/Defense Acquisition Workforce, Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Defense Financial Manager (CDFM), or Lean Six Sigma.
• Experience supporting digital transformation, data analytics, or decision-support initiatives within the Department of Defense.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-visibility government consulting environment.
• Prior experience with science, technology, research, development, test, or evaluation for advanced military capabilities.
• Prior experience working with military special access programs (SAP) and in special access program facilities (SAPF) or sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIF)

Responsibilities

• Supporting Air Force senior leaders and action officers with force modernization analysis, requirements, resourcing, and integration.
• Integrating operational mission requirements with future-focused force design and advanced capability development efforts.
• Developing operational concepts, identifying capability gaps, and analyzing Air Force performance in the future operating environment.
• Assisting with the development, assessment, and refinement of strategic concepts, operational frameworks, and implementation plans supporting force modernization.
• Supporting the Strategy, Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (SPPBE) process, including Program Objective Memorandum (POM) development, issue analysis, prioritization, and resource integration.
• Engaging with senior leaders from Department of the Air Force (DAF), major commands (MAJCOMs), combatant commands (CCMDs), and other Department of War (DoW) stakeholders to facilitate integrated planning efforts.
• Supporting executive steering groups, working groups, and integrated product teams tasked with working high priority, time sensitive issues for DAF senior leaders.
• Developing executive-level briefings, white papers, bullet background papers, decision support materials, and other documentation for Air Force senior leaders.
• Monitoring evolving security and defense strategies, emerging technologies, operational requirements, and policy changes impacting Air Force modernization initiatives.
• Providing recommendations that improve alignment between operational requirements, capability development, acquisition planning, resource allocation, and program execution.
• Ensuring all deliverables meet government quality standards, contractual requirements, and established project schedules.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan and 529 Education Savings Plan
• Flexible Spending & Health Savings Account
• Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity Insurances
• Legal Insurance and Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program, fitness and wellness benefits, and other firm benefits.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior