A resource for keeping the NIH executive community informed about training opportunities, executive performance management and other matters of interest.
Brought to you by the Division of Senior and Scientific Executive Management (DSSEM).
Important Dates
FY 2024 Executive Closeout
| 04 Sep | Senior Level T-42 IC Directors |
| 18 Sep | Senior Level T-42, Senior Executive Service (SES) and Senior Level (SL) Executives |
For details on guidance and deadlines, please visit the Closeout section.
Please contact the Executive Performance Management Team with questions.
NIH Virtual Tour
This dynamic, interactive tour showcases the depth and breadth of NIH’s important work turning discovery into health and illustrates the wide range of the NIH mission. To learn more about who we are, what we do, and our impact on health visit the NIH Virtual Tour here!
News and Announcements
Provisional Certification for Senior-Level (SL) and Scientific or Professional (ST) Performance Appraisal System
With OMB concurrence, OPM approved HHS for a provisional certification for the Senior-Level (SL) and Scientific or Professional (ST) performance appraisal system, effective July 2, 2023, to July 2, 2024. This certification authorizes pay for SL/ST up to Executive Level II, $212,000, and the higher aggregate limitation on pay, $272,100 for CY2023.
To avoid a certification authority gap and continue applying the higher maximum rate of pay and higher aggregate, the department will request full certification in April 2024, which requires full compliance with the SL/ST basic performance management system for the FY 2023 performance cycle.
FY 2023 Presidential Rank Award Winners Have Been Announced!
The Presidential Rank Award (PRA) is one of the most prestigious awards in the federal career civil service, and these awards are critical to recognizing the hard work and essential contributions of dedicated civil servants in the American federal workforce. The President selected 232 winners across 31 different agencies for the 2023 awards program for their exceptional leadership, accomplishments, and service over an extended period. These individuals are all members of the Senior Executive Service (SES), Senior-Level (SL), and Scientific and Professional (ST) corps. NIH had an amazing four winners this year! Join us in congratulating NIH’s winners (listed below)! A complete list of 2023 winners may be viewed on the OPM site.
FY 2023 NIH Presidential Rank Award Winners:
- Ms. Camille Hoover, M.S.W.
- Mr. Keith R. Lamirande, M.B.A.
- Ms. Colleen McGowan, MHA, FACHE
- Mr. Jerry Sheehan, M.S.
HHS SES News
Development Opportunities and Other Information
Empowering SES: Writing Self-Assessments for Impact - will be hosted by The Executive Resources Division on July 25, 2024 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM. Discover the art of crafting compelling self-assessments that showcase your achievements and propel your career forward. This course will guide you through the essential steps to effectively highlight your successes and contributions.
Why Attend?
- Master Self-Assessment Techniques: Gain a deeper understanding of how to write impactful self-assessments that accurately reflect your accomplishments.
- Enhance Your Narrative: Learn how to align your self-assessment with the Rating Official’s narrative to present a comprehensive picture of your performance.
- Strategic Alignment: Recognize the importance of linking your performance plan goals and objectives to your self-assessment for a cohesive and powerful narrative.
Join us to elevate your self-assessment skills and ensure your hard work is recognized. Empower yourself to present your achievements with clarity and confidence, making a lasting impact on your performance evaluations. Register for the July 25th session via the LMS.
Senior Executive Orientation Briefing: Being Future Ready – Leading America’s Workforce – This orientation is designed for new members of the SES, SL/ST, and other SES equivalents in their first two years of appointment. Seasoned executives who have not previously attended are welcome to attend. The program features keynote speakers who are policymakers, current and former SES, and subject matter experts. In addition to plenary discussion, speakers may engage participants in interactive exercises and small group discussions. The program concludes with a federal judge administering the oath of office, affirming Constitutional heritage and responsibility. Certificates will be mailed to participants after the program. This orientation is in person at the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office in Alexandria, VA, from 8:45 AM to 4:30 PM. HHS colleagues who attended in 2023 reported a well-designed program and a good use of their time. They appreciated the opportunity to meet other executives from across the government. Register for the August 9, 2024 orientation – tuition: $985.
Inclusive Leadership in Action: Addressing DEIA Systemically - Efforts to make government more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible (DEIA) have brought us far – especially by providing the knowledge and language to understand how to promote DEIA practices further. But there is still much work to do. Making meaningful progress on the vision of the Strategic Plan to “embed DEIA throughout the federal workforce” - begins with your own work. In this highly interactive course, you’ll explore what it means to lead inclusively from “the inside out.” You’ll start by analyzing your own biases, mindsets, beliefs, and behaviors to help you better lead inclusively. Using tools such as systems mapping, you’ll analyze the organizational systems and structures that need examining to create and sustain inclusive cultures. In this safe learning environment, you’ll also work through your own real-life challenges and practice skills needed to promote inclusive cultures, diverse teams, and systems and policies that are equitable and accessible to all. Register for the September 9-12, 2024 session.
The Vanguard Senior Executive Leadership Program - is a weeklong, in-residence program for experienced SES members in the Department of Defense (DoD) and other federal agencies. It focuses on overcoming evolving challenges to national security and emphasizes leadership attributes for building strategic partnerships and collaboration across DoD and interagency boundaries. The program enables SES members to form strategic partnerships with top-level executives and enhance their leadership capabilities to address diverse threats to national security. The target audience includes DoD SES members, non-DoD federal agency SES members, and executives in Defense Intelligence Senior Executive Service, Defense Intelligence Senior Level, and Senior Professional positions with five years of executive experience.
The program will take place from November 18 – 22, 2024, at the William F. Bolger Center in Potomac, Maryland, extending beyond regular duty hours. Funding for program instruction and materials is provided by the Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service (DCPAS). At the same time, non-DoD federal agencies are responsible for travel, per diem, lodging, meals, and incidentals. The program includes customized national security strategy and leadership content, public and private industry guest speakers, and experiential learning activities. Participants will complete pre-work involving readings, a 360° assessment, and a virtual session with an executive coach for assessment debriefing.
HHS will send one nomination and one alternate forward for consideration. If you would like to nominate yourself, please email Claire Gudewich to receive nomination instructions. All nominations are due NLT August 15, 2024.
Empowering SES Monthly Series
The Executive Resources Division received such positive feedback on our Empowering SES monthly series that we are expanding it with John Lybarger from Korn Ferry! See the sneak peek below and mark your calendar. Registration will be through the LMS once we get a little closer to the dates. Each 90-minute session will be offered in the morning and again in the afternoon so we can maximize participation no matter your duty location.
| Date and Times | Topic |
| July 11 at 10:00 AM | Leading Transformational Change |
| July 11 at 1:30 PM | Leading Transformational Change |
| August 8 at 10:00 AM | Inclusive Leadership: Instilling Trust & Psychological Safety |
| August 8 at 1:30 PM | Inclusive Leadership: Instilling Trust & Psychological Safety |
| September 12 at 10:00 AM | Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Skill |
| September 12 at 1:30 PM | Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Skill |
| October 10 at 10:00 AM | Driving Vision & Purpose |
| October 10 at 1:30 PM | Driving Vision & Purpose |
Performance Management
USA Performance (USAP)
An automated performance management system for SES and Senior-Level Title 42 executives.
Executive Performance Management - Awards and Recognition
Information on the executive performance cycle and the various award programs.
Compensation
The Senior Executive Service (SES) covers managerial, supervisory, and policy positions classified above GS-15. Compensation is through a performance-based pay system.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has overall authority for the SES program. They provide oversight and assistance to HHS and NIH.
SES Information and Guidance
Candidate Development Program
The Candidate Development Program (CDP), is a tool used to identify and prepare aspiring senior executive leaders.
This program is not offered on a regular basis. When the application period is open, HHS and other sponsoring agencies will post opportunities on USAJobs. If interested, you may apply to the program.
Vacancies and Rotational Opportunities
- Current SES positions [usajobs.gov]
- SES Rotation Announcements
For additional information and guidance, check out the NIH Senior Executive Service SharePoint Site
