Acquisition Subject Matter Expert

Job Description

Job Description

Our client is seeking an experienced Acquisition Subject Matter Expert to support Department of Defense acquisition initiatives focused on IT and Defense Business Systems. This role will provide strategic advisory support across early acquisition planning, compliance, and program documentation to help translate mission needs into executable acquisition programs.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience supporting DoD acquisition programs, strong knowledge of acquisition lifecycle policies, and a proven ability to develop acquisition documentation and guide programs through governance and approval processes. This is a full time/direct hire role and sits in an office in the Kettering, Ohio area.

Key ResponsibilitiesEarly Acquisition Support

• Provide subject matter expertise for early acquisition activities that translate mission needs into executable acquisition programs.

• Support programs operating within Business Capability Acquisition Cycle (BCAC) Phases 1–3.

• Guide stakeholders from concept development through acquisition planning and program stand-up.

• Advise on appropriate acquisition pathways, including BCAC, Software Acquisition Pathway, and hybrid approaches.

Defense Business Systems & Compliance

• Support Business Enterprise Architecture (BEA) alignment and identify opportunities to leverage existing systems or shared services.

• Lead Business Process Reengineering (BPR) initiatives, including documentation of current and future state processes.

• Prepare BPR assertions and documentation required for Defense Business Systems funding approval.

• Promote the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) and industry-standard solutions when appropriate.

Clinger-Cohen Act (CCA) Compliance

• Support compliance activities associated with the Clinger-Cohen Act.

• Develop and contribute to required acquisition documentation, including:

  • Acquisition strategies

  • Market research

  • Economic analyses and lifecycle cost estimates

  • Cybersecurity strategy coordination

  • IT portfolio documentation and compliance activities

• Assist programs in navigating the evolving compliance requirements throughout the acquisition lifecycle.

Stakeholder Engagement & Governance

• Serve as a liaison between program stakeholders and oversight organizations.

• Prepare briefings and documentation for leadership reviews and governance boards.

• Support programs entering the acquisition process midstream by identifying compliance gaps and remediation strategies.

Documentation & Advisory Support

• Develop, review, and refine acquisition and compliance documentation.

• Conduct research across DoD organizations to identify reuse opportunities and avoid duplicative investments.

• Provide expert advisory support to ensure documentation aligns with DoD acquisition policy and governance requirements.

• Support change management and implementation planning activities.

Required Qualifications

• Active Secret Security Clearance (required).

• Bachelors degree or equivalent professional experience.

• Minimum 10 years of experience in acquisition, preferably within the Department of Defense environment.

• Minimum 10 years of leadership experience with increasing responsibility in IT, consulting, or acquisition environments.

• Demonstrated experience supporting the IT acquisition lifecycle, including milestones and required documentation.

• Experience developing acquisition documentation aligned with DoD policies, including:

  • DoDI 5000.85 – Major Capability Acquisition

  • DoDI 5000.75 – Business Systems Acquisition

  • DoDI 5000.74 – Defense Acquisition of Services

• Experience supporting Defense Business Systems (DBS) and IT modernization initiatives.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and documentation skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders across government and contractor organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Air Force acquisition programs.

• Familiarity with Agile methodologies.

• Familiarity with ITIL frameworks.

• Experience with tools such as:

  • Microsoft Project

  • Microsoft 365 collaboration tools

  • Remote collaboration and meeting facilitation platforms.