PD_DOD_Principal-Deputy-Undersecretary-Comptroller

Position Description

principal deputy undersecretary (comptroller), department of defense

Overview

Senate Committee

Armed Services

Agency Mission

The mission of the Department of Defense (DOD) is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and to protect the security of our country.

Position Overview

The principal deputy undersecretary of defense (comptroller) assists the undersecretary of defense (comptroller) in the performance of his or her duties, providing advice to the secretary of defense on all budgetary and financial matters, including the development and execution of the department’s annual budget of more than $500 billion, and overseeing the department’s efforts to achieve audit readiness.

Compensation

Level IV $155,500 (5 U.S.C. § 5315)¹ _{The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (Public Law 115-31, May 5, 2017), contains a provision that continues the freeze on the payable pay rates for certain senior political officials at 2013 levels during calendar year 2017.}

Position Reports to

Undersecretary of Defense (Comptroller)

Responsibilities

Management Scope

The principal deputy undersecretary of defense (comptroller) assists the DOD comptroller in his or her preparation, management and accountability of the entire DOD budget. The DOD budget was approximately $576 billion for fiscal 2016. The DOD has more than 2.1 million active and reserve service members and 742,000 civilian personnel.

Primary Responsibilities

® Serves as the first assistant to the undersecretary of defense (comptroller), assisting him or her in performing the duties of the position; acts for, and exercises the powers of the undersecretary when he or she dies, resigns or is otherwise unable to perform the functions and duties of the office (10 U.S.C. § 137a)
® Provides advice and assistance to the secretary of defense, the deputy secretary of defense and other DOD senior officials on budgetary, fiscal and financial management matters
® Serves as DOD’s senior accountable official for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009² _OPM

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Appointed from civilian life (10 U.S.C. § 137a)
® Strong substantive expertise in military policy and DOD’s functions and policies
® Strong background in federal and DOD financial management
® Executive leadership experience, including DOD experience
® Understanding of and experience working with OMB and Congress
® Financial audit knowledge (a significant plus)
® Familiarity with cyber technology (a plus)
® Experience with risk management (a plus)
® Background in data analytics (a plus)

Competencies

® High level of energy
® Ability to clearly articulate complex budget issues to senior leaders, OMB, Congress and the media
® Ability to collaborate with DOD senior leadersu2014both military and civilianu2014as well as other CFOs and OMB, via the CFO Council
® Knowledge of and relationships with Congress, or the ability to develop them

Past Appointees

John Conger (2015 to 2017): Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment; Assistant Deputy Undersecretary for Installations and Environment; Legislative Director and Principal Advisor on Defense, Veterans and Foreign Policy issues for Rep. Chet Edwards, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs³ _{http://comptroller.defense.gov/About-OUSD-C/deputy_Bio.aspx}
Michael J. McCord (2010 to 2015): Minority or Majority Staff Lead on the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support; Professional Staff Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee⁴ _{http://www.defense.gov/About-DoD/Biographies/Biography-View/Article/602736/mike-mccord}
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