Portfolio Operations Lead

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

SPA provides critical decision support to enabling and executing a strategy of technological superiority and enabling the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled in evaluating military problems, identifying the driving factors, devising innovative approaches, collecting applicable data, developing necessary software tools, and performing thorough and timely assessments to inform technology and acquisition governance decisions to ensure U.S. military forces retain military superiority in the future.

We have an immediate need for a Portfolio Operations Lead to provide onsite support out of Arlington, VA.

Responsibilities

The Operations Lead will be responsible for activities across a full DARPA portfolio, which will include planning and execution of portfolio-level activities, including PI meetings, program reviews, industry days, and site visits. The Lead maintains the integrated portfolio calendar, decision timeline, and execution rhythm. Additional responsibilities include tracking program status at the execution level (milestones, approvals, actions, and dependencies). Coordinate across DARPA functional offices (security, contracting, legal, public affairs, facilities, IT, and travel) to enable program execution. Prepare and integrate briefings, read-ahead packages, and leadership deliverables. Manage internal tasking, action tracking, and follow-through across programs and supporting staff. Serve as the primary execution-level interface for cross-office coordination within DARPA. Ensure compliance with DARPA processes, documentation requirements, and review gates. Enable rapid, accurate response to short-notice leadership requests and external engagements.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and 12+ years of demonstrated experience leading transition coordination and external stakeholder engagement across DoD, interagency, and Service partners.
• Direct experience with OTA prototype, OTA follow-on production, and FAR/DFARS contracting environments.
• Proven ability to coordinate across multi-Service and joint portfolios and to engage senior leadership and external mission partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with demonstrated ability to produce decision-quality briefings and read-aheads.
• Active TS/SCI clearance.
• Able to report to Arlington, VA up to full-time based upon client needs.

Desired:

• Advanced scientific degree.
• Prior experience in a DARPA program office or as a former Government Program Manager.
• Experience coordinating with DHA, DLA, and service acquisition executives.

Pay Range Information

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $148,000.00/Yr. - USD $188,000.00/Yr.