Senior Acquisition Specialist

SENIOR ACQUISITION SPECIALIST

Department of Defense | Pentagon/HQ Level Organization

Position Type: Full-Time | Senior Level

Clearance Required: Top Secret (TS)

Location: Huntsville, AL

THE POSITION

PACE LLC is currently seeking an Senior Acquisition Specialist for a full-time position. This is a high-visibility, high-impact senior acquisition position supporting DoD leadership at the Pentagon or equivalent HQ-level organization. The selectee will serve as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert responsible for rapidly synthesizing complex acquisition data, program status, risks, and emerging issues across multiple Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) and delivering concise, actionable executive-level assessments to senior DoD leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Independently analyze and assess acquisition status, risks, performance trends, and programmatic issues across ACAT-level defense programs
• Synthesize complex, multi-domain acquisition information into clear, concise executive summaries with well-reasoned, actionable recommendations for senior DoD officials
• Prepare and deliver high-quality briefings, decision papers, memoranda, and programmatic assessments for flag officers, Senior Executive Service (SES) personnel, and other senior leaders
• Monitor program execution across cost, schedule, and performance baselines, identifying critical risk indicators and recommending mitigation strategies
• Engage directly with Program Managers, PEOs, functional leads, and interagency stakeholders to gather, validate, and reconcile program data
• Support senior leader preparation for Congressional engagements, milestone decision reviews, and major program reviews.
• Provide independent analysis and challenge functions across acquisition strategies, contract actions, and program documentation
• Navigate dynamic, rapidly changing tasking environments with minimal supervision, consistently delivering quality products under compressed timelines

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance
• Direct experience as a Program Manager on an ACAT-level defense acquisition program, with demonstrated responsibility for cost, schedule, and performance
• Extensive experience operating within Pentagon, Service Headquarters, OSD, or equivalent senior HQ-level organizations
• Demonstrated experience preparing and delivering briefings and decision-quality documents to flag officers, SES personnel, or equivalent senior executives
• Deep working knowledge of the Defense Acquisition System (DAS), DoD Instruction 5000 series, and associated acquisition policies, regulations, and frameworks
• Proven ability to rapidly analyze, distill, and communicate complex acquisition issues in a clear and compelling manner under tight deadlines
• Strong understanding of program risk management, Earned Value Management (EVM), and acquisition lifecycle phases
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field required; advanced degree strongly preferred
• Minimum 10–15 years of progressively responsible DoD acquisition experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Level III certification or equivalent in Program Management or Contracting
• DoD Program Management (PM) or Defense Acquisition University (DAU) senior-level coursework completed
• Experience supporting OSD, USD(A&S), CAPE, or Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) level organizations
• Familiarity with Congressional budget and authorization processes, including PPBE
• Experience supporting Source Selection Authorities and major contract award decisions
• Advanced degree in Business, Public Administration, Systems Engineering, or related field

IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE

The ideal candidate is a battle-tested acquisition professional who has operated at the intersection of program execution and senior leadership decision-making. You have sat in the PM seat on a complex ACAT program, navigated the pressures of milestone reviews and Congressional scrutiny, and know how to cut through noise to deliver what senior leaders need fast, accurate, and decision-ready.

You are not easily rattled. You have operated in high-pressure, high-visibility environments where the margin for error is thin, the stakes are high, and the timelines are unforgiving. You can walk into a room with a four-star general or a Deputy Secretary and brief with confidence, credibility, and clarity.

You read situations quickly, build trust with stakeholders at all levels, and are equally comfortable working independently or as part of a senior team. You understand that priorities shift sometimes hourly and you adapt without missing a beat.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's degree with 15 years major program experience.

CITIZENSHIP & CLEARANCE

• This position would require US Citizenship and a TS clearance or ability to hold a TS clearance.

THE PERKS

PACE culture supports a strong work life balance and offers a comprehensive benefit package, to include healthcare (medical, dental, vision and disability) and 401k program where employees are fully vested in their own contributions, as well as the employer-provided match, from their first day of contribution.

THE COMPANY

PACE offers a realm of quality and excellence that rises above their competitors. We are the champions and trusted advisors of government & industry leaders. We are the value-proposition you seek to enhance your PACE of excellence!

PACE LLC is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and it is our policy to consider all applicants for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. EOE/M/F/D/V