Associate Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber & Data
What you'd do
Established by the FY2020 NDAA within the Department of the Air Force, the United States Space Force (USSF) organizes, trains, and equips forces to secure space operations, support national leadership, and enhance joint force lethality through offensive and defensive capabilities. Within this framework, the Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data provides executive leadership and oversight to advance USSF cyber operations, cybersecurity, and data initiatives.
Major duties
As the Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Cyber and Data, the incumbent provides high-level executive leadership, managerial direction, and strategic oversight to advance the United States Space Force (USSF) and Department of the Air Force (DAF) cyber, data, and digital capabilities. The primary responsibilities of this role span across several critical domains: Executive Leadership & Strategic Planning. The incumbent directs the formulation and execution of long-range strategic plans for SF/S6 programs. This includes forecasting resources and technology capabilities to build, sustain, and enhance cyberspace operational forces, cyber-enabled space forces, and warfighter communications. By leveraging DAF authorities, the leader integrates cyberspace capabilities into space systems and oversees electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO) support, cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and enterprise-wide data management and governance. Program Direction & Resource Management. Serving as the Planning, Programming, Budget, and Execution (PPBE) champion for cyber and data, the incumbent oversees SF/S6 functions. This involves defining policies, standards, and metrics for data, artificial intelligence (AI), and software innovation, and integrating these elements into USSF warfighting, business, and intelligence operations. The leader prioritizes organizational objectives, manages documentation workflows, and ensures clear communication channels are maintained between senior leadership and subordinate staff to keep personnel aligned with critical decisions. Professional, Technical, & Liaison Representation. The incumbent provides top-tier technical leadership, identifying complex issues, directing special studies, and maintaining deep situational awareness of Joint Cyberspace Operations, Combatant Commander plans, and performance metrics. To build support for Directorate requirements, the leader collaborates closely with high-level officials across the Department of Defense, federal and foreign government agencies, and major international corporations. In the supervisor's absence, the incumbent represents the directorate across key boards, corporate reviews, and steering groups, collaborating with the Joint Staff, OSD, Congress, the Intelligence Community, industry partners, and academia. Supervisory & Personnel Management. The position is responsible for monitoring organizational progress and directing a diverse team of executive leaders, military personnel, and senior civilian employees (NH-04 equivalents). The incumbent dynamically adjusts work plans, schedules, and resources to meet mission goals while ensuring strict compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Additionally, the leader is vital to talent acquisition and workforce development, shaping career field management, education, and specialized training programs in cyberspace, data, and AI for the entire USSF workforce.
What you need to qualify
Eligibility will be based upon a clear showing the applicant has education, training, and experience of the scope and quality sufficient to effectively carry-out the duties of the position. Candidates must exemplify the corporate perspective, leadership vision, broad experience and character needed in the SES corps not only to satisfy the immediate vacancy, but future vacancies which will occur in a variety of organizations, functions and locations. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin. In accordance with new OPM requirements to streamline Senior Executive Service (SES) hiring, applicants are no longer required to submit lengthy narrative essays, including those for Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or Mandatory Technical Qualifications (TQs), when applying. Instead, the initial application will be resume-only, capped at two pages. This change streamlines the application process and more closely aligns with private industry practices. Applicants identified for potential selection will have their ECQs assessed by undergoing a structured interview with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Review Board (QRB). To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the education, Technical Qualifications (TQ), and Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) related to this position within your resume (not to exceed 2 pages). Resumes over the 2-page limit will be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs, you may not receive further consideration for the position. TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (TQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that satisfy the technical qualifications. TQ1: Demonstrated executive leadership directing enterprise-wide cyberspace operations, cyber-enabled space capabilities, electromagnetic spectrum operations (EMSO), cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, and data management for a large, complex organization. Proven ability to lead highly technical and geographically dispersed teams. Skilled at integrating advanced technologies including cloud, zero-trust, data and AI/ML to transform digital operations and deliver resilient, mission-aligned capabilities. Experience synchronizing efforts across diverse teams the Department of the Air Force, Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, and interagency partners to ensure unity of effort and enterprise readiness. TQ2: Demonstrated expertise shaping enterprise direction through long-range strategic planning, policy development, governance, metrics, and standards for cyber forces, IT modernization, and data/AI. Proven ability to establish and oversee enterprise governance for cyber/IT, data, and AI to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and integration into warfighting and enterprise missions. Mastery of the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process, including leading resource strategy, budget formulation, and execution, and communicating strategic requirements, risks, and trade-offs to leaders across the Department of War, Congress, and the Executive Branch to drive enterprise-level decisions. EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): All new appointees to the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the five mandatory ECQs: ECQ 1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: Demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. ECQ 2. Driving Efficiency: Demonstrated ability to strategically and efficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. ECQ 3. Merit and Competence: Demonstrated knowledge, ability, and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. ECQ 4. Leading People: Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. ECQ 5. Achieving Results: Demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. Please note: If you are a member of the SES or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program, or have SES reinstatement eligibility, you must attach proof (e.g., SF-50 or Certification by OPM's SES Qualifications Review Board) of your eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.
Before you apply
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