Senior Policy Analyst (Crystal City)

***This is NOT a remote position***

Job Description

The Senior Policy Analyst supports the Department of War (DoW) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) and Industrial Base Growth (IBG) by providing expert policy analysis, strategic recommendations, and program support to advance small business participation across the defense acquisition ecosystem. This position plays a key role in evaluating legislation, regulations, and policy guidance affecting small business programs, while also supporting subcontracting-related initiatives, reporting, compliance monitoring, and stakeholder engagement.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience in federal acquisition policy, defense programs, small business regulations, and subcontracting principles, with the ability to translate complex requirements into actionable guidance for senior leaders, contracting activities, and industry partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze proposed and existing laws, regulations, directives, and policies affecting DoW small business programs and acquisition activities.
• Develop policy papers, briefing materials, white papers, decision memos, and recommendations for senior leadership.
• Support implementation and interpretation of statutes and regulations related to small business participation in DoD contracting.
• Provide subject matter expertise on federal small business programs, including subcontracting requirements, socioeconomic categories, and acquisition-related policy impacts.
• Assist in the development, coordination, review, and revision of OSBP guidance, policy memoranda, standard operating procedures, and internal program materials.
• Conduct research and analysis on trends, risks, and opportunities related to small business utilization and supplier diversity within the defense industrial base.
• Track and assess the impact of legislative and regulatory developments from Congress, SBA, FAR, DFARS, and other federal agencies.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, including contracting offices, program offices, legal counsel, SBA representatives, prime contractors, and small business partners.
• Support subcontracting program efforts, including review of subcontracting plans, performance trends, compliance considerations, and reporting requirements.
• Assist with analyzing subcontracting data and preparing reports, dashboards, summaries, and responses for leadership inquiries.
• Help identify barriers to subcontracting opportunities for small businesses and recommend policy or process improvements.
• Support meetings, working groups, industry engagement events, and interagency coordination related to small business and subcontracting matters.
• Prepare executive-level briefings and present findings, recommendations, and status updates to leadership and stakeholders.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of OSBP priorities and mission objectives.

Required Qualifications:

• SECRET security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, business, public administration, law, acquisition, finance, or a related field
• 8+ years of relevant experience in federal policy, acquisition policy, small business programs, defense programs, or government contracting.
• Strong knowledge of federal acquisition processes, including FAR, DFARS, and small business regulatory frameworks.
• Experience supporting policy development, regulatory analysis, or program implementation within DoD or another federal agency.
• Familiarity with subcontracting plans, subcontracting compliance, and small business utilization requirements in federal contracting.
• Strong analytical, writing, and communication skills, including experience drafting senior-level correspondence and briefing materials.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and coordinate across diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications

• TS/SCI Security Clearance
• Master’s degree in public policy, law, business administration, acquisition, or a related field
• Legal background