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EO 13714Executive OrderObama · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 13714

Strengthening the Senior Executive Service

This executive order reforms the Senior Executive Service (SES) by creating a PMC Subcommittee to oversee changes including: capping performance award spending at 7.5%, streamlining hiring processes, requiring SES pay to exceed subordinate GS employees, establishing a 15% rotation goal for SES members, and phasing in talent management and succession planning across all agencies by FY 2018.

Federal Register Open PDF 80 FR 79225

Impact dates

  1. OPM issues post-Phase III guidance reflecting lessons learned

  2. Phase III agencies implement talent management reforms

  3. Agency heads examine and revise SES hiring processes after OPM QRB guidance

  4. Agency heads with 20+ SES positions submit 2-year rotation plans to OPM

  5. OPM issues additional guidance on performance award distribution

  6. OPM evaluates QRB process and issues streamlined application guidance

  7. OPM issues guidance on Executive Onboarding Program

  8. OPM issues guidance on SES rotation plans

  9. OPM issues guidance on agency status reporting

Key directives

  • Establish PMC Subcommittee with 5 members to advise on SES matters
  • Cap aggregate SES/SL/ST performance award spending at 7.5% of aggregate salaries starting FY 2017
  • Ensure SES pay exceeds subordinate GS employee pay including locality pay
  • Streamline QRB process and allow resume-based SES applications
  • Set 15% Government-wide SES rotation goal for minimum 120 days starting FY 2017
  • Phase in talent management and succession planning: 7 agencies by 9/30/2016, 7 more by 9/30/2017, remainder by 9/30/2018
  • Require quarterly Deputy Secretary-level review of SES recruitment efforts
  • Mandate annual developmental activity and 3-year leadership assessments for executives
  • Establish formal Executive Onboarding Program for first year of service

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • OPM guidance on award distribution (120 days)
  • OPM evaluation of QRB process and streamlined application guidance (90 days)
  • OPM guidance on SES rotation plans (45 days)
  • OPM guidance on agency reporting (45 days)
  • OPM guidance on Executive Onboarding Program (60 days)

Near term (90d)

  • Agency heads with 20+ SES positions submit 2-year rotation plans by May 31, 2016
  • Phase I agencies (7 agencies) implement talent management reforms by September 30, 2016
  • Agency heads examine and revise SES hiring processes within 120 days of OPM QRB guidance

Long term

  • Phase II agencies (7 agencies) implement reforms by September 30, 2017
  • Phase III agencies (all remaining) implement reforms by September 30, 2018
  • Government-wide 15% SES rotation goal for FY 2017 and thereafter
  • Ongoing OPM evaluation of rotation percentages and annual guidance issuance after each phase

Risks & tensions

  • Rotation goal of 15% may conflict with 'maintaining stability of operations' mandate
  • Pay compression fix (SES > GS subordinates) may face budgetary constraints per 'subject to availability of appropriations' clause
  • Phased implementation creates uneven compliance timeline across government
  • Vague: 'as appropriate' and 'as permitted by law' qualifiers weaken enforceability of several directives
  • Diversity goals referenced but no binding metrics established beyond tracking 'as available'
  • SES-equivalent positions in intelligence and law enforcement have significant implementation discretion
Executive Order 13714: Strengthening the Senior Executive Service · Executive Orders