The MSPB has stressed the importance of a well-functioning SES cadre, noting in a recent report that about a third of career senior execs manage more than 200 employees and about a quarter of them are responsible for budgets above $100 million.
“Members of the SES affect not only their agency’s capacity for carrying out its mission and generating appropriate products and services for the American public, but also shape the perceptions of their agency’s value by their workforce, the public, Congress, and the White House,” it said. “High performing career senior executives have effectively managed the budgets of massive programs, saved the federal government billions of dollars, made significant contributions to increasing national security, facilitated commerce, and helped create positive relationships with foreign countries, to name but a few accomplishments.”
“In contrast, poor leadership can result in mission failure, a demoralized workforce, tarnished agency reputation, and public distrust of the agency or government as a whole,” it said. “Given the influence that SES employees have on achieving agency missions and managing the federal workforce, it is vitally important that the processes used to hire, train, reward, and manage these employees be robust and effective.”
MSPB’s observations came as part of an overview of significant recent actions by OPM regarding the SES, including in the areas of leadership development, onboarding, mentoring and performance management.
“In maintaining and improving these processes, OPM should continue to work with representatives of the SES to ensure their needs are met. Additionally, the importance of making the SES attractive to new entrants and improving the retention of current SES members only will increase in the coming years as over half of the current SES workforce will be eligible for retirement over the next three to five years,” it said.
