HQE Chief Experience Officer

The United States Air Force at the Pentagon, Arlington, VA, is seeking a visionary and results-oriented leader to serve as the Chief Experience Officer (CXO). Description: The Chief Experience Officer (CXO) serves as the primary champion for a user-centric digital culture within the Department's information technology and acquisition enterprises. In this high-impact role, the CXO spearheads the strategic integration of human-centered design principles to ensure that digital tools empower Airmen rather than hinder them.

By providing expert counsel to senior leadership, the CXO influences the full lifecycle of Information Technology (IT)/Emerging Technology (ET) programs-from initial development and implementation to long-term sustainment.

This position is not merely advisory; it is a driving force for organizational change, tasked with identifying systemic digital challenges, quantifying their impact on operational readiness, and deploying the modern tools and methodologies necessary to resolve them. The CXO operates at the nexus of technology and mission, ensuring that every digital touchpoint is optimized for efficiency, intuitiveness, and lethal effectiveness. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a visionary leader with an extensive background in human-centered design (HCD), digital product management, and large-scale organizational transformation.

They possess a deep understanding of how to integrate user experience (UX) into the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) acquisition and IT lifecycles. They have a proven track record of moving organizations from a technology-first to a user-first culture, quantifying the impact of design on mission readiness, and navigating complex bureaucratic environments to achieve seamless, end-to-end digital journeys. Key Skills and Abilities Strategic UX Leadership and Operationalization: Ability to develop, integrate, and operationalize an enterprise-wide UX strategy aligned with Department of the Air Force digital transformation goals.

This includes the establishment of measurable UX milestones, maturity models, and assessment frameworks that link user satisfaction directly to operational efficiency and lethal readiness. Governance and Policy Excellence: Comprehensive knowledge of policy formulation processes with the ability to draft, coordinate, and publish authoritative UX guidance, design standards, and accessibility policies. Skill in ensuring these policies are consistent with Higher Headquarters (HHQ) directives while remaining flexible enough to adapt to the fast-paced evolution of ET.

Complex Analysis and Decision Support: Skill in conducting high-level meta-analysis of digital ecosystems to identify systemic friction points. Ability to distill complex qualitative and quantitative data into senior-leader decision support products-such as executive summaries and courses of action-that justify investments in user-centric infrastructure and process improvements. Strategic Influence & Cross-Functional Leadership: Expert ability to champion DAF UX interests by leveraging the DAF IT Pulse Survey and 688th UX program dashboards to identify pain points and drive strategic improvements.

Proven skill in building consensus among Program Managers and technical stakeholders, negotiating outcomes that prioritize the "Airman/Guardian Experience," and influencing policy decisions across siloed organizational boundaries. Data-Driven Performance Management: Skill in designing and applying sophisticated performance measures, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs), and Measures of Performance (MOPs) specific to the digital experience. Ability to build longitudinal assessment plans that use data-driven approaches to monitor progress, identify gaps in user journeys, and recommend corrective actions.

Executive Communication & Briefing: Mastery in translating complex design, business cases, and technical concepts into high-impact narratives for large audiences and senior leadership. Highly proficient in authoring executive-level strategy documents, policy memoranda, and staff packages that clearly articulate the "human element" of technology in terms that resonate with both military and civilian senior executives.

Basic Requirements This standard allows eligibility through meeting either the requirements specified in the section titled Education or the requirements specified in the section titled Experience. Education: All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks

Resume-based Hiring Method will be used for this recruitment. A well-written 2-Page resume for this announcement should demonstrate the knowledge and experience listed in the duties section of the vacancy announcement. Applications will be evaluated against the position's requirements. Failure to meet the position duties and qualifications will eliminate a candidate from further consideration. REMINDER: Before uploading your required PDF documents (Resume), please ensure they DO NOT EXCEED the noted page limits.

Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have direct deposit. If you have questions regarding this announcement and have hearing or speech difficulties click here.

Please follow the below instructions to submit applications. Any applications received that do not include all of the required documents or do not meet format requirements will not be forwarded for consideration.

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 04/21/2026. To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.

Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process. PLEASE

NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date.

You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant. PREFERRED RESUME FORMAT: (Limit 5 pages/Times New Roman 12-font) (Do Not Use the USAJOBS Resume Builder) - Please submit a typewritten resume (upload as a PDF), including the following information: Job Information: Announcement number (MRL2026-00359) and title of the position to which you are applying. Personal Information: Full name, mailing address (with zip code), day and evening phone numbers (with area code) and complete e-mail address where you would like to receive correspondence regarding your application. PLEASE DO NOT INCLUDE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER Active-Duty/Retired Military: State highest rank held, date of promotion and date eligible to retire or date of retirement, (e.g., Colonel/June 2006/December 2014).

NOTE: IAW 5 U.S.C. 3326, a 180-day waiver will be required for retired or retiring members of the armed forces during the period of 180 days immediately after retirement. Please

note: you will be ineligible for consideration if your statement of service is not submitted with your application or it shows an expected discharge or release date greater than 120 days from the date of the submission of the certification. Education: Educational information, including the name, city and state of colleges or universities you attended, as well as the type and year of any degree received. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S.

Department of Education. For more information, you may refer to the following U.S. Department of Education website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html Work Experience: Give the following information for your paid and non-paid work experience related to the job for which you are applying: (Do not send job descriptions). - Starting and ending dates (month and year) - Job title (for government position, include civilian series and grade or military rank) - Employer's name and address - Supervisor's name and phone number, please indicate if we may contact your current supervisor - Salary (current) References: Provide the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three individuals who can comment on your qualifications for this position.

Please do not list supervisors already listed above. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please notify this office.

The decision on granting reasonable accommodations will be on a case-by-case basis. SAF/MRL CONTACT INFORMATION: Questions regarding this announcement may be directed to [email protected]

A complete application includes the items specified below. If you do not provide all required information, as specified in this announcement, you may not be considered for this position or may not receive the special consideration for which you may be eligible. APPLICATION DOCUMENTS: Some documents may not apply to all applicants. Please carefully review for applicability. Do not combine documents. Upload documents in pdf format.

1. Resume (Required): PLEASE DO NOT USE USAJOBS RESUME BUILDER.

Your resume must be 2 pages in length (or less), type written, and formatted using 1-inch margins, no smaller than 10-font, and uploaded as a pdf. Do not include borders, photos, or your social security number.

1. Notification of Personnel Action, SF-50 (As applicable): Noting your current position, grade level and salary level (applies only to current or former civilian government employee).
2. Statement of Service/DD-214 (As applicable): Active Duty/Retired Service Members must submit a DD-214 or statement of service printed on command letterhead and signed by the command. The statement of service must provide the branch of service, rate/rank, all dates of service, the expected date of discharge and anticipated character of service (Honorable, General, etc.).
3. Performance Appraisal (Optional): Applicants are encouraged to provide their most recent performance appraisal or equivalent performance evaluation document.
4. College transcript(s) (As applicable): Applicants must provide transcript(s) which demonstrate the acceptable combinations of education and experience as noted by OPM (if applicable). A copy is acceptable.
5. License(s) or certification(s) (As applicable): Applicants must provide copies of any licenses, certifications, or professional credentials required by the position (e.g. Bar membership, medical license, CPA certification, DAWIA certification, etc.) with their application. * Applicants are responsible for providing documentation that supports the eligibility and qualification claims made in their resume and/or assessment questionnaire.

Applicants must submit the applicable documents listed here and those listed with the eligibilities selected in the announcement questionnaire with the application package. Applicants who do not provide supporting documentation that fully support their claims will not be referred to the hiring manager.