Program Manager (Assistant Director)

This Program Manager (Assistant Director) position is with Veterans Benefits Administration (Department of Veterans Affairs) in Phoenix, AZ. This position is in Medical Disability Exams (MDE) program office. The Assistant Director, MDE Acquisitions and Budget Staff, is directly responsible for managing and monitoring the world-wide multi-billion dollar contracts for disability examinations to include funding and invoicing. Key duties: • Specific duties include: The incumbent directs MDE acquisitions and budget for the worldwide program. Performs work associated with planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and evaluation of activities to support operational accomplishments for MDE program activities. This includes oversight and responsibility for the overall planning, directing, and timely execution of program operations, internal training, and data analysis, evaluation, and providing recommendations based on complex input to improve the effectiveness of work methods and procedures, management controls, information and documentation systems, and similar functions of program management. Will serve as management advisor using a high-level of discernment and judgment to address a wide variety of interrelated subject matter, that can include contractual, programmatic, or other program office focus areas. Plans, develops, directs, and assumes the implementation of an integrated operational and strategic planning in alignment with the budgeting process. Provides technical and administrative supervision to a staff of administrative professionals and oversees the daily operation of the unit, ensures agency policies and priorities are being followed; develops performance standards; and evaluates work performance of subordinates. The incumbent gives advice, counsel, and instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters. Hears and resolves minor complaints from employees; refers group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager; effects minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and reprimands and recommends action in more serious cases. Interviews candidates for positions in the unit; recommends appointments, promotions, and reassignments to unit positions; identifies and provides training needs; and finds ways to improve production or increase the quality of work within the area of authority. Monitors completion of additional assignments Including special projects, preparation of recommendations for manual or regulatory change, and training materials. Analyzes and evaluates on a qualitative and quantitative basis the effectiveness of programs or operations in meeting established goals and objectives. Performs regular analysis of accuracy review results and identifies actual or potential problem areas, trends, significant program accomplishments, merit and deficiency situations, areas of Imbalance, or other similar factors. Coordinates goals, priorities, staff resources, productivity, quality, and general activities with higher-level management. Work Schedule: Full time, Monday through Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Program Manager (Assistant Director); PD421070 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Duty Hours: 8:00am - 4:30pm Qualifications: To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement:09/11/2026. TIME-IN-GRADE REQUIREMENT: As a current Federal, GS employee you must meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-15 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-14 level. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENT: You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: GS-15 Grade Level: Specialized Experience: Specialized Experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 grade level in the Federal service. The applicant must document experience directing and managing a large-scale program, including planning, organizing, and evaluating program operations; providing technical and administrative supervision to an expansive team, effectively resolving administrative and operational issues, and ensuring adherence to agency policies and priorities; managing performance and delivery of program operations to meet organizational objectives, and providing high-level strategic guidance and advice to senior management; collaborating with key stakeholders, and utilizing evidence-based decision-making to improve program performance. Volunteer Experience: Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Full vs. Part-Time Employment: Full-time employment is considered to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience will be credited on a pro-rated basis; when including part-time employment in your resume you must specify the average hours worked per week. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.