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Director Office of Innovation & Entrepreneurship


Job Location:

Washington, DC - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 151661 - 151661
Posted: 6 October 2026 (2 days ago)
Application Deadline: 3 January 2027
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Summary

This position is located in the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (OIE) at the Economic Development Administration (EDA) at the Department of Commerce. EDAs investment policy is designed to establish a foundation for sustainable job growth and the building of durable regional economies throughout the United States. This foundation is built upon two key economic drivers - innovation and regional collaboration.


Duties

OIE oversees a portfolio of programs aimed at supporting technologies critical to the nations national and economic security the entrepreneurs that build the products and companies of the future and the workforce needed to respond to business needs.

As Director Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship he/she proactively manages the efforts of OIE staff to ensure Department and EDA priorities are comprehensively incorporated into EDA programming through nationwide competitions including programming related to entrepreneurship technology advancement workforce development national security and economic competitiveness.

Specific duties include but are not limited to:

  • Directs coordinates and monitors technical and financial assistance programs within the Economic Development Administration related to entrepreneurship technology advancement workforce development national security and economic competitiveness. Further the incumbent is responsible for directing a large group of technical and administrative personnel engaged in analyzing evaluating and acting on proposals or activities associated with economic development.
  • Represents the Economic Development Administration in establishing and maintaining effective relations with other Federal agencies and national organizations concerned with coordinated policies and programs for economic development and when designated serves as the Department of Commerce member on interagency committees related to economic development.
  • Stimulates interest of state local nonprofit and other eligible organizations in preparing and carrying out economic development programs for specified priorities and purposes. Establishes guidelines as to the nature scope context and format of any overall economic development plan submitted for approval. Reviews evaluates and acts upon requests for approval of overall economic development plans.
  • Appears before professional civic and other groups to expand favorable relations with the public by discussing EDAs programs policies and appropriations. Works with various information media for the same purpose.
  • Develops and implements strategies to meet program goals and objectives upon which the office will concentrate its efforts and appropriately allocate its portion of EDAs resources during the fiscal year.
  • Counsels advises and collaborates with top agency officials on policy matters and major considerations in developing implementing and coordinating all economic development efforts as they interrelate in addressing national regional and subregional strategies. Advises the Assistant Secretary on special problems as they relate to national initiatives and programs and as they impact major constituents or their key representatives.
  • Works with the Office of Grants Management (OGM) to design and implement grant programs that comply with all Federal Departmental and EDA requirements. Maintains familiarity with legal regulatory and policy requirements for grant administration and promotes awareness and compliance with all OIE staff.
  • Develops and maintains program guidance policies directives and operating procedures to improve standardize or streamline the administration of EDAs various assistance programs as well as to effectively implement OMB U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) or OIG recommendations and/or Presidential or Secretarial directives policies or initiatives.

Requirements
Conditions of employment

    • Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
    • May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests.
    • An initial Senior Executive Service (SES) career appointee is subject to a one-year probationary period.
    • Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment to determine your suitability for federal employment at the time requested by the agency.
    • If you are a male applicant born after December 31 1959 certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
    • File a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report OGE-278e within 30 days of appointment and annually thereafter.
    • You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and final security clearance prior to entering on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.

    There are three key documents that contain important information about your rights and obligations. Please read and retain these documents:
    Qualifications

    Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race sex color religion or national origin.

    To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES.

    Resumes over the 2-page limit will not be reviewed and will be considered ineligible. Your resume should be 2 pages or fewer and must not include images graphics or hyperlinks (including publications and/or social media). Your resumes should include examples of experience education and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications you may not receive consideration for the position.

    There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Professional Technical Qualifications (PTQs).

    PROFESSIONAL/TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (PTQs): Your resume should demonstrate accomplishments that would satisfy the technical qualifications.

    1. Knowledge of economic development principles concepts strategies trends processes and/or programs relating to innovation entrepreneurship and workforce programming including an ability to identify emergent trends in the field lead teams to develop programming approaches to these trends and the ability to coordinate with organizations and institutions such as local state and Federal officials to attain program goals and agency priorities.
    2. Experience in designing implementing and overseeing Federal programs related to entrepreneurship technology advancement workforce development national security and economic competitiveness including familiarity with the statutory legal and policy requirements for the administration of Federal grant programs.

    EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): In addition to the technical qualification requirements listed above all new entrants into the Senior Executive Service (SES) under a career appointment will be assessed for executive competency against the following five mandatory ECQs. If your 2-page resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of the ECQs and TQs you may not receive further consideration for the position.

    • ECQ 1: Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding - This core qualification requires a 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-This core qualification involves the 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-This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality.
    • ECQ 4: Leading People-This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organizations 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-This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results and to align results to stated goals from superiors.

    Note: Applicants who are current or former members of the SES have SES reinstatement eligibility or have been certified through successful participation in an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) should submit supporting documentation (e.g. SF-50 or OPM Qualifications Review Board (QRB) certification) reflecting their eligibility for noncompetitive appointment to the SES.

    Education

    This position does not have a positive education requirement.

    Additional information

    Mobility: Organizational and geographical mobility is essential in developing and managing SES leaders. Individuals selected for SES positions may be subject to reassignment across geographical organizational and functional lines and may be required to sign a Reassignment Rights and Obligation Agreement.

    Veterans Preference: Veterans preference is not applicable to the SES.

    Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy Statement: Information Resources - Resource Center: born after must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Statements: If you make a false statement in any part of your application you may not be hired you may be fired after you begin work or you may be subject to a fine imprisonment or other disciplinary action.

    OPM must authorize any employment offers made to current or former (within the last five (5) years) political Schedule A Schedule C or non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently or have been within the last 5 years a political Schedule A Schedule C or non-career SES employee in the executive branch you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.

    Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

    A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

    Review our benefits

    Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.


    Required Experience:

    Director