Business Operations Program Manager

NIST is seeking a Business Operations Program Manager responsible for implementing the administrative and business operations program supporting the Emerging Technologies Acceleration Program (ETAP). This role involves providing strategic leadership and an operational framework to drive complex Quantum and Artificial Intelligence scientific accelerator programs. This announcement will close at 11:59 p.m. ET on the date the first 50 applications are received or 05/26/2026, whichever comes first.

Duties

In this position, you will: Integrate business operations across ETAP and associated technology programs by aligning administrative, financial, and acquisition activities to ensure consistent execution of program objectives. Analyze program operations and resource utilization to identify inefficiencies, evaluate performance trends, and recommend adjustments to improve execution of scientific initiatives. Execute acquisition processes by managing agreement workflows, monitoring milestones, and maintaining alignment between program requirements and acquisition actions. Coordinate cross-functional program activities with scientific, acquisition, and financial stakeholders to ensure integration of business processes with technical program requirements.

Qualifications

This position requires one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-13 (ZA-3 at NIST) level. Specialized experience is defined as: Experience applying business operations principles to coordinate administrative, financial, and acquisition activities within a scientific organization. Experience with the integration of financial management, acquisitions, and grant administration for budget and fiscal management. Experience collecting and reviewing program or financial data to support reporting, track performance, and maintain operational systems. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The qualification requirements in this vacancy announcement are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook. If requesting reconsideration of your qualification determination, please refer to the following site: Applicant Reconsideration