Portfolio Lead

Pay Rate:

The annual base salary range for this position $89,383 – $121,305. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. At Sawdey Solution Services, we recognize that attracting the best talent is key to our strategy and success as a company. We will consider several factors when extending an offer to an applicant. These factors include (but are not limited to) the position, associated responsibilities, work experience, education, related training, and related skills.

Position Location: Fort Belvoir, VA

Telework/Work-from-Home Authorized:

Yes – When Authorized/Hybrid

About the Role: The Portfolio Lead (PL) works directly with client Program Managers (PM) as well as other Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) personnel contributing to implementation of the Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP), Chemical Security Program (CSP), and Proliferation Prevention Program (PPP) priorities. They are responsible for ensuring that client deliverables meet quality and schedule requirements. The PLs engage and collaborate with government counterparts on a broad range of activities, including project management; financial management; quality assurance; knowledge management; partner relationship management; acquisition life-cycle support; new country engagements as well as recurring and pop-up tasks.

PL is primarily a project management role that supports implementation of Global Threat Reduction (GTR) priorities, acquisition plans, and facilitates collaboration across various government and A&AS teams using the Integrated Project Team (IPT) concept. The PL provides or facilitates comprehensive support to ensure the success of the assigned portfolio under the guidance of the associated PM(s). This includes planning ahead to anticipate needed actions and advice the client in advance.

This role requires a thorough understanding of the BTRP, CSP, and PPP priorities mission, nature of biological threats and biological threat reduction approaches, the international nonproliferation regime, and key stakeholders working in the domains of nonproliferation and global health security spanning public and animal health sectors.

PL will report to the Division Lead. PLs’ primary client interfaces are the Country, Regional, Science and other government Managers within Integrated Project Teams (IPTs).

Additional Responsibilities Include, but are not Limited To:

• PLs work across government and A&AS teams to support the BTRP, CSP, and PPP mission through:

• Project-based support advice and assistance: effective management of cost, schedule, and performance of awards as well as planning and execution of acquisitions.
• Ongoing operations advice and assistance: requirements definition/validation as well as all-encompassing support of country/region/program portfolios. Deliverables include the Weekly Activity Report (WAR)/DURC /Annual Report to Congress (ARC) actions, Program Management Reviews (PMRs), Metric Validation Workshop (MVW), Program Objective Memorandum (POM), Country Summaries, Program Budget Management comments, etc.
• Ad hoc tasks: hot taskers, congressional inquiries, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, emergent needs not associated with a specific project and associated tasks

• Responsible for building relationships with the government counterparts in order to effectively advise on and assist with matters related to the portfolio. PLs are required to understand the limitations and restrictions pertaining to the contractor’s role and authorities/responsibilities that qualify as an inherently government function.
• Provide project management support for the full range of BTRP, CSP, and PPP activities in the assigned portfolio, using project management best practices and approved acquisition processes.
• Provide advisory and assistant services with regards to linking activities and objectives to National Strategy, Combatant Command plans, Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), GTR and BTRP, CSP, and PPP priorities, and efforts of Interagency partners.
• Facilitate regular and productive coordination and communication with relevant parties in the government A&AS community and with external stakeholders.
  • Take notes and coordinate action items resulting from meetings.

• Assist and advise government counterparts in defining requirements, formulating end states and plans to reach them, and defining project success factors.
• Assist and advise government PMs, and engage A&AS counterparts, throughout the acquisition lifecycle including but not limited to requirement validation, project idea development, acquisition planning, project initiation, execution and monitoring, and closeout.

• Assist the client in drafting and finalizing materials related to acquisition (e.g., Initial Strategy Session worksheets, Acquisition Strategy Review Documents, Market Research Reports, Statements of Work, Contract Data Requirement Lists, and others as required).
• Facilitate cross-team coordination and review of acquisition documents to leverage expertise from science, acquisition, finance, training, contracting, property, etc. teams to ensure thorough SME review. Keep relevant stakeholders apprised throughout acquisition lifecycle.

• Support the client in drafting and finalizing messaging and reports related to the portfolio.

• Support development of project-level inputs for Program Objective Memorandum (POM), Annual Report to Congress (ARC), spend plans, and metrics review materials.
• Support drafting of portfolio updates for the Weekly Activity Reports (WARs).
• Support drafting of regional/country summaries for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

• Support government counterparts in Program Management Reviews (PMRs). Assist the client in review and documentation of project scope, schedule, budget status and forecast.

• Support the client in drafting PMR materials. Prepare talking points to accompany slides and assist with action items arising following presentation of the PMR briefs.
• Prepare the client for PMR briefs to division and department leadership by coordinating across the government-A&AS community to ensure the client is well-informed on each project within the portfolio.

• Support prompt and thorough responses to short-fuse taskers.
• Gain access to and become proficient in various government systems to include Automated Trip Request Information Process (ATRIP), Program Budget Management Tool (PBMT), Mercury/Threat Reduction Logistics Services (TRLS), and Consolidated Acquisition Tool (CAT).
• Document best practices across all efforts, summarize and use lessons learned, and make recommendations to adapt, apply, and embed those practices throughout the project life cycle.
• Maintain an organized method of portfolio-relevant documents in coordination with government counterpart for proper record keeping of important country-specific documents pertaining to acquisitions, policies, in-country partners, implementers, metrics, travel, and more.
• Travel in support of the BTRP mission.
  • Participate in travel as needed.
  • Assist government personnel in planning travel and fulfilling pre-travel requirements (e.g., ATRIP submission, ATFP plans, logistics support requests, DTRO coordination, travel pre-brief, trip book,).
  • Support the client during meetings with partner nation stakeholders by providing talking points and taking notes during meetings.
  • Assist the client in completion of post-travel requirements (e.g., travel de-brief, trip report).

• Perform other duties, as assigned.

Experience Requirements:

• At least three (3) to ten (10) years of project management, government acquisition or similar experience.
• Experience and successful track record building effective relationships with clients and other stakeholders, understanding client’s requirements, and meeting client expectations.
• Experience applying project management best practices in support of multiple ongoing projects while delivering high-quality outputs. Ability to track multiple competing priorities and dynamic portfolio components.
• Track record working in a matrixed environment, coordinating work across large, diverse teams, and being an effective and collaborative team member.

Education Requirements:

• BA/BS degree required.
  • MA/MS desired.

Certificate, License, and Registration Requirements:

• Project Management Professional (or equivalent) certification.

Other Required Skills & Abilities:

• Must be able to effectively communicate with customer and fulfill all duties and responsibilities as listed in the contract.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office suite including, but not limited to: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, ability to support government clients achieve strategic objectives without losing sight of detail, ability to keep track of formal and informal taskers and deliver necessary advisory and assistance services in support of multiple, competing priorities. The PL is expected to partner with the government PMs as well as A&AS counterparts and be a reliable source of advice and assistance.
• Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
• Excellent communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to write for senior leaders.
• Flexibility/adaptability/suitability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to travel internationally.
• Travel up to 25% of the time.
• Requirement to work in the office at least 2-3 days a week.

Security Clearance Requirements:

Secret Clearance or higher

US Citizenship Requirements:

This position supports a U.S. Government Contract whose terms require Sawdey Solution Services to staff it only with U.S. Citizens.

• Mission-Critical Work: We play a vital role in ensuring the security of our nation’s digital infrastructure.
• Professional Growth: Embrace the opportunity to take on diverse and dynamic roles that challenge and inspire you.
• Collaborative Culture: You are joining a unified team where your unique contributions are valued and celebrated.

Who We’re Looking For:

• Hardworking Individuals: If you’re someone who takes initiative, loves a challenge, and is committed to excellence, you’ll feel right at home here.
• Talented Professionals: Whether you’re an expert in your field or a rising star, we recognize your potential and support your effort toward success.
• Diverse Perspectives: Our strength lies in our diversity. We believe that a diverse team fosters creativity, innovation, and achievement.