Program Management Development Program (PMDP) - Entry Level
The Program Management Development Program (PMDP) develops individuals who can successfully participate in and eventually lead current and future DoD integrated acquisition, technology, and logistics activities. Historically, this function has been performed by Engineers, Computer Scientists, and other technically educated/trained personnel. The rapid advance of technology and its accompanying effect on DoD program development and management has highlighted the need for Program Managers (PM) with broad backgrounds who can work in, communicate with, and move comfortably between the acquisition and technological worlds. PMDP aims to develop future National Security Agency (NSA) key leaders by providing guidance and opportunities for professionally broadening experiences and career progression. This program will introduce program participants to the leadership skills necessary to enhance program stability, strengthen management accountability, and ensure effective use of all assigned resources.
The PMDP is a 3-year program to develop new hires (GG 7-9) to successfully participate and eventually lead current and future DoD integrated acquisition, technology, and logistics activities. PMDP introduces leadership skills and provides opportunities to learn via formal classroom training, on-the-job training, and professional certifications. Participants complete defense acquisition training as well as NCS training in acquisition, systems engineering, and resource management. Each participant, assigned to one of the official NSA programs, completes four specific tours based upon requirements, development gaps, and professional interest.
As a Program Manager at the NSA, your responsibilities may include:
- Establishing and managing cost, schedule and performance baselines for programs
- Implementing best practices and processes to track progress of services and development of capabilities in terms of defined cost, schedule, and performance outcomes
- Adjusting priorities and resource allocation based upon objective program performance data
- Providing metrics and analysis to support forward-looking decision-making based on data
- Establishing governance processes for program and related reviews
- Overseeing testing that satisfies DoD/ODNI/Industry guidelines while demonstrating that an acceptable level of customer expectations have been assessed and met
- Leveraging data and analysis from systems engineers, configuration managers, contracting officers, and/or financial managers to inform program performance measures
- Providing program status reports and briefings to internal management, NSA senior leadership and government oversight officials in the DoD, ODNI, and Congress
- Collaborating with senior leaders, senior technical leaders, system engineers, and fellow program managers to help develop a strategic vision and goal for the organization