Applications for the 2017-2018 program year will be accepted May 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017.
Why did NCMA create the Contract Management Leadership Development Program (CMLDP)?
The contract management workforce is facing one of its greatest challenges ever. The workforce is aging and retiring at a pace faster than the next generation is replacing them. This has created a gap in supervisory, middle management, and executive-level positions across the entire profession. There are simply not enough high-quality contract management professionals to meet today's needs and the outlook for the future remains challenging.
What is the CMLDP designed to accomplish?
The CMLDP is designed to help develop the next generation of contract management leaders through an intensive year-long educational experience. The program’s emphasis is on building leadership skills that will benefit the contract management profession. These skills are developed through academic understanding of leadership, exposure to practicing contract managers and business leaders, and association volunteer leadership opportunities.
Program participants will receive over 180 hours of top-quality education in fundamental leadership, association volunteerism, NCMA governance, and contract management. The program is quite relevant to contract management professionals regardless of their employer, location, or industry.
The NCMA CMLDP is designed to quickly close the gap in leadership progression by accelerating the preparation of a select group of contract management professionals. Candidates will have demonstrated a level of commitment to their professional development unmatched in the field and, as a result, will carry with them a unique, meaningful credential that will open doors to new challenges and professional opportunities.
What type of candidates are you looking for?
The ideal candidate should have at least four years (by August 31, 2015) but not more than eight years of experience, and should not yet hold a supervisory level position in the contract management profession. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree, or higher, from an accredited institution. The candidate should have a strong desire to become an inspirational leader, be considered a top performer by his or her employer, and have a high degree of potential for advancement. Candidate evaluations will include an overall assessment of their potential meaningful contributions to their class and achieving overall program success. This program is for “the best of the best.” Other than the criteria mentioned, there are no specific qualifications required, but as seen from the application form, there are certain criteria that will determine who has the highest potential for selection to this program.
What kind of learning experience can I expect?
In addition to the extensive classroom and online coursework contained in the program, your leadership growth will include a series of assignments designed to round out your development. These experiences include serving as a volunteer NCMA leader at a local chapter and possibly for the national organization. Volunteering for NCMA is like immersing yourself in a “leadership incubator,” where you may eventually become the president of a functioning, vibrant chapter, and interact with colleagues and leaders, including senior executives, throughout the contract management profession. In addition, you will be required to write a research paper on a topic of interest to you, which will be relevant to the practice of contract management. It is possible that your research paper may be published in Contract Management Magazine or the Journal of Contract Management. Also, for the duration of the program, you will work with two mentors who will assist you in achieving your professional development goals and offer their input on your assignments. You will be given the opportunity to select your own mentors, but NCMA has a pool of deeply accomplished professionals—representing all walks of the profession—standing by to assist. These mentors represent the most experienced and accomplished people within our profession—our NCMA Fellows and Board of Advisors.
What commitment is expected from the candidates?
Your employer, your mentors, your fellow classmates, and NCMA itself, including your local chapter, are ready to invest a significant amount of time and money to prepare you to assume a leadership position. In return, NCMA requires that you remain committed for the entire program duration and two years thereafter, where you will undertake leadership experiences through volunteer opportunities with your chapter. Participants will be required to maintain a current NCMA membership over the course of three years (one year during and two years following graduation). NCMA also requires that you honor and uphold the Contract Management Code of Ethics throughout your professional career. Admission to the program requires a commitment of your time to attend the three in-residence events: the NCMA Government Contract Management Symposium, December 2015 in Washington, DC; the Subcontract Management Training Forum, March 2016 in Washington, DC; World Congress 2016, July 2016, in Orlando, FL; and respective Chapter Leader Summits.
The remainder of the program is conducted through webinars and self-paced activities that do not require time away from the office. You will be assigned to complete self-assessment instruments, to participate in online presentations, to communicate with your mentors, to write a research paper, and to volunteer for your chapter. Candidates should consider their ability to manage their schedules to complete required coursework, mandatory in-residence events, maintaining NCMA membership, and commitment to their NCMA chapter or the association as a whole prior to applying for the program. However, we believe the investment of your time is worthwhile and manageable. Successful completion of all assignments and participation in all in-resident events is required for graduation.
What are the travel commitments to complete the program?
To complete the program, you are required to attend three in-residence events: the NCMA Government Contract Management Symposium (November), the March Training Forum (March), the NCMA World Congress (July), and respective Chapter Leader Summits. The remainder of the program is conducted through webinars and other self-paced activities that do not require time away from the office. The 2017–2018 Curriculum Summary is available for those with scheduling concerns.
How much does the program cost?
One of the most common questions we are asked is “How much does the program cost?” The answer is simple: nothing and everything. NCMA is investing in future leaders, so materials, instruction, seminars, conferences, and mentoring is provided at no cost to participants.
However, admission to the program requires a commitment of your time to attend the three in-residence events, to complete self-assessment instruments, to participate in online courses, to communicate with your mentors, to write a research paper, and to volunteer for your chapter. However, we believe the investment of your time is worthwhile and manageable.
The only expenses participants experience are travel-related costs to attend the three in-residence events. Applicants may seek support for these expenses in full or in part from their employers or their chapters. Your total travel expense for the program will vary depending upon where you live, but we estimate your travel expenses will be from $4,000 to $8,000 for the year. Applicants should address travel expense support in the employer letter, chapter letter, or their application.
Whom should I contact if I have other questions or concerns?
The CMLDP POC can be reached at cmldp@ncmahq.org.
The contract management workforce is facing one of its greatest challenges ever. The workforce is aging and retiring at a pace faster than the next generation is replacing them. This has created a gap in supervisory, middle management, and executive-level positions across the entire profession. There are simply not enough high-quality contract management professionals to meet today's needs and the outlook for the future remains challenging.
What is the CMLDP designed to accomplish?
The CMLDP is designed to help develop the next generation of contract management leaders through an intensive year-long educational experience. The program’s emphasis is on building leadership skills that will benefit the contract management profession. These skills are developed through academic understanding of leadership, exposure to practicing contract managers and business leaders, and association volunteer leadership opportunities.
Program participants will receive over 180 hours of top-quality education in fundamental leadership, association volunteerism, NCMA governance, and contract management. The program is quite relevant to contract management professionals regardless of their employer, location, or industry.
The NCMA CMLDP is designed to quickly close the gap in leadership progression by accelerating the preparation of a select group of contract management professionals. Candidates will have demonstrated a level of commitment to their professional development unmatched in the field and, as a result, will carry with them a unique, meaningful credential that will open doors to new challenges and professional opportunities.
What type of candidates are you looking for?
The ideal candidate should have at least four years (by August 31, 2015) but not more than eight years of experience, and should not yet hold a supervisory level position in the contract management profession. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree, or higher, from an accredited institution. The candidate should have a strong desire to become an inspirational leader, be considered a top performer by his or her employer, and have a high degree of potential for advancement. Candidate evaluations will include an overall assessment of their potential meaningful contributions to their class and achieving overall program success. This program is for “the best of the best.” Other than the criteria mentioned, there are no specific qualifications required, but as seen from the application form, there are certain criteria that will determine who has the highest potential for selection to this program.
What kind of learning experience can I expect?
In addition to the extensive classroom and online coursework contained in the program, your leadership growth will include a series of assignments designed to round out your development. These experiences include serving as a volunteer NCMA leader at a local chapter and possibly for the national organization. Volunteering for NCMA is like immersing yourself in a “leadership incubator,” where you may eventually become the president of a functioning, vibrant chapter, and interact with colleagues and leaders, including senior executives, throughout the contract management profession. In addition, you will be required to write a research paper on a topic of interest to you, which will be relevant to the practice of contract management. It is possible that your research paper may be published in Contract Management Magazine or the Journal of Contract Management. Also, for the duration of the program, you will work with two mentors who will assist you in achieving your professional development goals and offer their input on your assignments. You will be given the opportunity to select your own mentors, but NCMA has a pool of deeply accomplished professionals—representing all walks of the profession—standing by to assist. These mentors represent the most experienced and accomplished people within our profession—our NCMA Fellows and Board of Advisors.
What commitment is expected from the candidates?
Your employer, your mentors, your fellow classmates, and NCMA itself, including your local chapter, are ready to invest a significant amount of time and money to prepare you to assume a leadership position. In return, NCMA requires that you remain committed for the entire program duration and two years thereafter, where you will undertake leadership experiences through volunteer opportunities with your chapter. Participants will be required to maintain a current NCMA membership over the course of three years (one year during and two years following graduation). NCMA also requires that you honor and uphold the Contract Management Code of Ethics throughout your professional career. Admission to the program requires a commitment of your time to attend the three in-residence events: the NCMA Government Contract Management Symposium, December 2015 in Washington, DC; the Subcontract Management Training Forum, March 2016 in Washington, DC; World Congress 2016, July 2016, in Orlando, FL; and respective Chapter Leader Summits.
The remainder of the program is conducted through webinars and self-paced activities that do not require time away from the office. You will be assigned to complete self-assessment instruments, to participate in online presentations, to communicate with your mentors, to write a research paper, and to volunteer for your chapter. Candidates should consider their ability to manage their schedules to complete required coursework, mandatory in-residence events, maintaining NCMA membership, and commitment to their NCMA chapter or the association as a whole prior to applying for the program. However, we believe the investment of your time is worthwhile and manageable. Successful completion of all assignments and participation in all in-resident events is required for graduation.
What are the travel commitments to complete the program?
To complete the program, you are required to attend three in-residence events: the NCMA Government Contract Management Symposium (November), the March Training Forum (March), the NCMA World Congress (July), and respective Chapter Leader Summits. The remainder of the program is conducted through webinars and other self-paced activities that do not require time away from the office. The 2017–2018 Curriculum Summary is available for those with scheduling concerns.
How much does the program cost?
One of the most common questions we are asked is “How much does the program cost?” The answer is simple: nothing and everything. NCMA is investing in future leaders, so materials, instruction, seminars, conferences, and mentoring is provided at no cost to participants.
However, admission to the program requires a commitment of your time to attend the three in-residence events, to complete self-assessment instruments, to participate in online courses, to communicate with your mentors, to write a research paper, and to volunteer for your chapter. However, we believe the investment of your time is worthwhile and manageable.
The only expenses participants experience are travel-related costs to attend the three in-residence events. Applicants may seek support for these expenses in full or in part from their employers or their chapters. Your total travel expense for the program will vary depending upon where you live, but we estimate your travel expenses will be from $4,000 to $8,000 for the year. Applicants should address travel expense support in the employer letter, chapter letter, or their application.
Whom should I contact if I have other questions or concerns?
The CMLDP POC can be reached at cmldp@ncmahq.org.
