📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Acquisition Management Specialist
🔹 Company: Serco North America
🔹 Location: Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Silver Spring, MD
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid (3 days/week in office)
🔹 Category: Defense & Security
🔹 Date Posted: May 30, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: Hybrid (with frequent travel)
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Serving as the senior lead for maritime industrial base liaison, connecting industry to urgent Navy industrial base needs.
- Evaluating vendor offerings and supporting rapid contracting pathways to bring novel technologies into operational use.
- Liaising efforts to related supply chain, workforce, and technology solutions, ensuring alignment with broader DoD modernization priorities.
- Assessing industry partners and their solutions, and maintaining a repository of industry partners interacting with the MIB.
- Providing senior-level briefings and progress updates to Navy leadership, including recommendations for targeted investments and risk mitigation actions.
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, communication, and project management skills to successfully connect industry with Navy needs and drive innovation.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Serve as the MIB’s senior lead for maritime industrial base liaison by scouting, screening, and evaluating industry partners to connect them with urgent Navy industrial base needs.
✅ Function as a strategic acquisition specialist, identifying niche capabilities, evaluating vendor offerings, and supporting rapid contracting or funding pathways to bring novel technologies into operational use.
✅ Liaison efforts to related supply chain, workforce, and technology solutions, ensuring alignment with broader DoD modernization priorities.
✅ Assess industry partners and their solutions as being able to work within the requirements of the DFAR, technology maturity, and how solutions and offerings align with MIB’s priorities.
✅ Oversee information and knowledge management systems that capture critical program and supplier insights to inform strategic direction and programmatic investment.
✅ Serve as a key communicator, translating complex technical initiatives into compelling strategic narratives and decision briefings for Navy leadership, program offices, and industrial partners.
✅ Collaborate across Navy stakeholders, technical SMEs, suppliers, and technology developers to identify scalable opportunities for automation and digital enablement within submarine system production and sustainment.
✅ Support the creation of strategic messaging, briefings, and acquisition summaries for senior Navy leadership and industrial base policy stakeholders.
✅ Maintain a repository of industry partners who are interacting with the MIB.
✅ Assist with supplier engagement activities across the MIB ecosystem.
✅ Work with multiple stakeholders across the region to expedite evaluation, determine critical areas, and provide recommendations on funding MIB efforts that produce optimal return on investment.
✅ Provide daily program, analytical, and acquisition management support to senior-level executives.
✅ Draft information papers in response to Congressional inquiries.
✅ Provide input to Report to Congress regarding MIB spend goals and associated return on investment.
✅ Travel to regional entities to meet with local stakeholders about MIB initiatives.
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high degree of independence, requiring strong organizational and problem-solving skills to manage competing priorities and emergent needs.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, Technology Management, Acquisition, or a related discipline (Master’s preferred).
Experience: 12+ years of progressive experience in defense acquisition, with a focus on rapid procurement, technology transition, or industrial base engagement.
Required Skills:
- Strong understanding of DoD acquisition frameworks, rapid procurement authorities, and technology transition pathways (e.g., SBIR, OTA, BAAs).
- Demonstrated understanding of technical transition efforts.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing high-level decision briefs, strategic messaging products, and technology evaluations.
- Ability to work independently in a high-tempo, mission-focused environment, managing competing priorities and emergent needs.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect disparate technical and strategic information into clear, actionable insights.
- Experience preparing and delivering high-stakes presentations and briefings to senior stakeholders.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills with attention to detail and the ability to work independently.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
Preferred Skills:
- Experience supporting Navy program offices (e.g., PEO UWS, NUWC, NAVSEA) or other acquisition organizations.
- Experience in industry specifically related to providing products to the department of defense to include an understanding of barriers to entry, MILSPEC, MILCERT, and TRLs.
- Familiarity with advanced manufacturing technologies, logistics, and challenges related to workforce development.
- Background in technical due diligence, solution evaluation, and acquisition package development.
ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on defense acquisition and industry engagement, candidates with relevant experience in the defense industry or related fields are strongly preferred.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $138,224.19 to $230,372.84 per year (based on company-provided range)
Benefits:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick, and holidays)
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee assistance program
Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours/week (with approximately 10% travel)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the company's stated range. However, actual compensation may vary based on factors such as experience, skills, and market conditions.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Serco North America operates in the defense, transportation, and citizen services sectors, supporting various government agencies and the U.S. military.
Company Size: Serco Group plc, the parent company, has over 10,000 employees in North America alone, making it a mid-sized employer in the government services sector.
Founded: Serco Group plc was founded in 1988, with Serco North America established in 1992.
Company Description:
- Serco North America provides critical services to the U.S. military, federal civilian agencies, and state and local governments.
- The company specializes in defense, transportation, and citizen services, with a focus on delivering vital services more efficiently while increasing customer satisfaction.
- Serco's services span the entire lifecycle of defense programs, from research and development to acquisition, production, and sustainment.
Company Specialties:
- Defense services, including acquisition management, logistics, and maintenance support
- Transportation services, such as air traffic management, rail operations, and public transportation
- Citizen services, such as healthcare, justice, and immigration services
Company Website: https://www.serco.com/na
ASSUMPTION: Serco's extensive experience in defense services and its focus on delivering critical services to the U.S. military make it an attractive employer for candidates interested in defense acquisition and industry engagement.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior specialist level, requiring a high degree of expertise and independence in managing complex acquisition and industry engagement projects.
Reporting Structure: The Acquisition Management Specialist will report directly to the Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) team lead and work closely with various Navy program offices and industry partners.
Work Arrangement: This role is hybrid, with an expected 3 days/week in the office and approximately 10% travel. The remainder of the workweek will be conducted remotely.
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential career progression into senior acquisition leadership roles within Serco or the U.S. Navy.
- Opportunities to expand industry engagement and strategic partnerships, driving innovation in the maritime industrial base.
- Possibility to transition into other specialized roles within Serco's defense services portfolio, such as program management or logistics.
ASSUMPTION: Given the role's focus on strategic acquisition and industry engagement, there are ample opportunities for career growth and development within Serco and the broader defense industry.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Serco's offices in the Washington, DC area are modern, collaborative workspaces designed to facilitate teamwork and innovation.
Office Location(s): 1818 Library St, Reston, VA 20190 (primary office); 16 Bartley Wood Business Park, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UY, GB (global headquarters)
Geographic Context:
- The Washington, DC area offers a vibrant mix of urban and suburban living, with a rich cultural scene, numerous historical sites, and easy access to outdoor recreation.
- The region is home to numerous defense and government agencies, providing ample networking and career advancement opportunities.
- The DC area is well-connected by public transportation, with easy access to major airports and interstate highways.
Work Schedule: The Acquisition Management Specialist will work a full-time schedule, with an expected 3 days/week in the office and approximately 10% travel. The remainder of the workweek will be conducted remotely.
ASSUMPTION: The hybrid work arrangement and convenient office location in the DC area make this role an attractive option for candidates seeking a balance between on-site collaboration and remote work flexibility.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the Serco careers portal
- Phone or video screening with a member of the HR team
- In-depth behavioral and technical interviews with hiring managers and subject matter experts
- Background check and reference check (if required)
- Final offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Defense acquisition expertise and experience
- Industry engagement and strategic partnership skills
- Communication and presentation skills
- Problem-solving and analytical abilities
- Cultural fit and alignment with Serco's values
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight relevant defense acquisition and industry engagement experience.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions focusing on your experience with rapid procurement, technology transition, and industry engagement.
- Research Serco's defense services portfolio and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and values.
- If applicable, provide examples of your experience with advanced manufacturing technologies, logistics, and workforce development.
- Prepare for questions about your ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
ATS Keywords: Defense acquisition, industry engagement, rapid procurement, technology transition, strategic partnership, defense industry, maritime industrial base, Navy, DoD, acquisition management, program management, logistics, workforce development, advanced manufacturing
ASSUMPTION: Given the competitive nature of the defense industry and the specialized requirements of this role, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their expertise and fit for the position through a thorough interview process.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Defense Acquisition University (DAU) learning management system
- Defense Acquisition Portal (DAP)
- Defense Acquisition Information Retrieval (DAIR)
- Defense Acquisition Workforce (DAW) online portal
- Industry-specific software and platforms (e.g., industry databases, market research tools)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are primarily defense acquisition-specific platforms and industry-specific software, with a strong emphasis on Microsoft Office Suite for communication and collaboration.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Customer-focused
- Innovative
- Collaborative
- Integrity-driven
- Accountable
Work Style:
- Results-driven and mission-focused
- Adaptable and responsive to changing priorities and emergent needs
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Strategic and analytical mindset
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do your personal values align with Serco's core values, particularly in the context of this role?
- Describe a time when you had to manage competing priorities and emergent needs in a high-tempo environment. How did you approach this challenge, and what was the outcome?
- How do you stay current with industry trends and emerging technologies in the defense sector, and how have you applied this knowledge in previous roles?
ASSUMPTION: Serco's values and work style requirements emphasize a strong cultural fit for candidates with a customer-focused, innovative, and collaborative mindset, as well as the ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Navigating the complex and ever-changing landscape of defense acquisition regulations and policies.
- Balancing the needs of multiple stakeholders, including the U.S. Navy, industry partners, and Serco leadership.
- Managing the expectations and priorities of various Navy program offices and industry partners.
- Keeping up-to-date with emerging technologies and their potential applications in the maritime industrial base.
- Travel requirements may pose challenges for candidates with personal or family commitments that limit their ability to be away from home frequently.
ASSUMPTION: The dynamic and complex nature of defense acquisition and industry engagement presents unique challenges that require a high degree of adaptability, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike traditional acquisition management roles, this position focuses specifically on maritime industrial base liaison and connecting industry to urgent Navy industrial base needs.
- While the core responsibilities of this role are similar to those of other acquisition management positions, the industry-specific focus and strategic partnership requirements set it apart.
- Career progression in this role may differ from traditional acquisition management paths, with opportunities to specialize in maritime industrial base development and strategic partnerships.
ASSUMPTION: Given the unique focus of this role, candidates should expect a distinct career trajectory and set of challenges compared to more traditional acquisition management positions.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a rapid procurement pathway for a novel technology to address an urgent Navy need within a tight deadline.
- Assessing and integrating a cutting-edge industry partner into the maritime industrial base ecosystem to support workforce development and advanced manufacturing capabilities.
- Collaborating with Navy stakeholders and industry partners to identify and address critical areas for investment in the maritime trades, curriculum development, and veteran/veteran spouse outreach initiatives.
ASSUMPTION: The sample projects for this role require a strong understanding of defense acquisition, industry engagement, and strategic partnership skills, as well as the ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- Can you describe the most pressing challenges facing the maritime industrial base, and how this role will address them?
- How does this role collaborate with Navy program offices, and what are the key priorities for these partnerships?
- What are the primary industry engagement strategies for this role, and how do they align with broader DoD modernization priorities?
- How does Serco support the professional development and career growth of its acquisition management specialists?
- What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for success in this role, and how will my progress be measured?
ASSUMPTION: Asking thoughtful, informed questions during the interview process demonstrates your interest in the role and commitment to understanding the organization's priorities and culture.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the Serco careers portal
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant defense acquisition and industry engagement experience.
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions focusing on your experience with rapid procurement, technology transition, and industry engagement.
- Research Serco's defense services portfolio and be prepared to discuss how your skills and experience align with the company's mission and values.
- If applicable, provide examples of your experience with advanced manufacturing technologies, logistics, and workforce development.
- Prepare for questions about your ability to obtain and maintain a Secret Clearance.
- Follow up with the HR team within one week of submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps in the interview process.
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
