Contract Management Leadership Development Program (CMLDP)

CMLDP is a award-winning, 12-month program focused on providing leadership training to educate future leaders in the profession.

Discover the Program

Graduates of the award-winning 12-month program are recognized standouts in: contract management, pricing, program management, finance and accounting, procurement, logistics, legal, business development, and other related professions. Graduates of the complimentary program will receive the following: 

• Leadership training from professional experts.
• Career and course guidance throughout the program by contracting professionals (senior leaders & CMLDP alumni).
• Improve professional writing skills. Students will receive expert feedback on writing assignments and project briefings.
•  Improve public speaking through expert led sessions and practice opportunities.
• Perform group project with guidance from assigned project mentors to learn how to solve real-world contract management problems.
• Receive >160 CPE hours.
• Upon graduation, receipt of one complimentary Certification Online Preparatory Course.
• Networking access to government and industry leaders at National and chapter levels.
• Students complete a behavior & personality self-assessment, a tool used to improve work productivity, teamwork, leadership, and communication.
• Upon graduation, the CMLDP class automatically becomes part of an elite group, the Alumni Community. This group works on special projects for NCMA HQ, holds alumni community networking opportunities and social events. 

Download Justification Packet

Interested in Becoming a CMLDP Mentor 

• Career mentor
• Program mentor (CMLDP alumni only)
• Group mentor
• Subject matter expert panelist

Submit your form by September 9, 2022 3:00 PM Eastern.

Questions about mentorship? Join our free live event on August 29, 2022 12:00 PM Eastern Time where we will discuss in detail. Sign up today! 

Apply to be a Mentor!

Class of 2023

The application period for the CMLDP's Class of 2023 closed on May 9, 2022 at 11:59 PM Eastern. If you have any questions about the program FAQs are listed below for your convenience. Contact [email protected] with any additional questions.  

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements include the following:

• NCMA Journeyman level
• Not yet held a supervisory or management position (or have < 1 year experience)
• A strong desire to become a leader
• A recommendation from your employer as a top performer who will thrive and benefit from the program
• Accepted candidates must become members one month before the program year starts

View full application requirements

NCMA serves the contract management community impartially and with courtesy and respect regardless of age, gender, religion, ethnicity, disability, or national origin.

Time Commitment

The Leadership Development Program is time-intensive commitment. Each participant will be assigned a career mentor and a contracts manager subject matter expert mentor to guide them throughout the program. Participants should dedicate 3-5 hours weekly to course activities and must commit to the following:

• CMLDP activities at NCMA's three national conferences (SubCon, World Congress, and GCMS) over the course of the 12-month program
• Individual, small group, and team projects
• Regular communication with mentors
• Completion of research papers
• NCMA involvement at the local Chapter or national level for two full years after graduation

Cost

The program is free, but you MUST be an NCMA member to start the program. Interested parties are permitted to apply to the program prior to activating NCMA membership. Participants are responsible for travel-related costs to attend in-person training events (SubCon, World Congress, and GCMS). Expenses may be covered fully or partially by employers or local chapters. A budget worksheet is included with the application.

Selection Process

The selection process is a multi-faceted process that involves the following:

• Phase 1 - Completed application with letter of recommendation and resumé/CV  
• Phase 2 - Virtual interview

Faculty

Cassandra Manos is a 2012 graduate of CMLDP and is a long-time course mentor. She is an active NCMA member and has served on several national-level committees and working groups in addition to volunteering as an officer and chair for local chapters. Cassandra holds an M.A. in Legal and Ethical Studies from the University of Baltimore, an MBA in Accounting and Finance from Loyola College and a B.A. in Economics from Loyola College.  In addition, she earned the Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM), Certified Federal Contracts Manager (CFCM) and Certified Commercial Contracts Manager (CCCM) certifications. Cassandra is a Senior Contracts Manager at Booz Allen Hamilton where she leads the Other Transactions Team. Prior to joining Booz Allen, Cassandra worked for several large contractors and her clients included the federal government, state and local governments, international organizations and commercial companies.

Cassandra Manos, CPCM, CFCM, CCCM, Fellow | CMLDP Coach 2021-2022

CMLDP Program Participants

What Alumni Have to Say About the Program

Alumni were asked "What has been your greatest career accomplishment since your CMLDP graduation?"; this is what they had to say.

• I believe the CMLDP program is the most valuable program NCMA offers, developing tomorrow's acquisition and NCMA leaders with quality training and access to some of the best
  people in the profession.
• My greatest career accomplishment since graduating from CMLDP is having been promoted to a leadership position - but that's just for me, personally. I think that CMLDP, more
  substantively though, has made me a more thoughtful, engaged and productive member of our community. I have been able to use what I learned and what I built during CMLDP to impact my career (and hopefully those around me) in a fulfilling way. Most of my big successes over the last year or two can been traced back to CMLDP.
• Getting a new job with HHS and appointed to a National NCMA Committee.
• Serving two terms on NCMA National Board of Directors
• Being recognized as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Procurement and being designated as Adjunct Faculty to provide formal training related to the acquisition/procurement process.
• Since graduation I have received NCMA's Advancing Professionals and Fellow designation. Those are both great accomplishments. Outside of NCMA, I have also take a Chair role
  leading a nationwide strategic sourcing team for the Dept. of Energy. The exposure this position has led to has been amazing.
• Since my CMLDP graduation has been training/development of new Acquisition professional in my Agency & building them to be leaders in the organization. It provides value to the newcomers and helps with transparency in the organization that helps with recruiting and retention of staff. This would have never been possible had I not graduated from the CMLDP class.

Recent Alumni Accomplishments

After completion of the CMLDP 12-month program, alumni have gone to achieve great milestones. A sampling of those milestones include:

• 32 Alumni serving in director or VP level positions
• 84% of NCMA HQ conferences held included a presentation from alumni or current class participant
• Co-chair for World Congress 2021
• Back to Basics: The 3 R's of Chapter Member Engagement (January 2022 CM Magazine Article)

CMLDP Alumni

Use the link below to discover the esteemed CMLDP alumni network across 55+ organizations & agencies. 

View Alumni

CMLDP Class of 2022

The current class is comprised of the following NCMA members:

• James Brandon Allphin, Industrial Tent Systems (Space City Houston)
• Markeisha Bonds, COLSA Corporation (Huntsville)
• Arina Hooks, HD Supply (Atlanta)
• Tamaria Johnson, GDIT (Dulles Corridor)
• Amina Khaliq, UT-Battelle/ORNL (East TN)
• Casey McCracken, CFCM, CPCM, U.S. Department of Energy – Office of Science (East TN)
• Samantha Netzband, CFCM, CCMA, CCCM, BAE Systems (Leatherstocking)
• James Pitcher, US Air Force (Dayton)
• Amanda Reyes, Ball Aerospace & Technology (Denver)

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Process

• When is the application submission deadline?  Applications for the Class of 2023 must be submitted by May 9, 2022 at 11:59 PM Eastern.
• Is there a fee to apply?  There is no application fee.
• Where do I send my application?  The application is an online form that can be electronically submitted after the last question is complete. Email [email protected] with any questions.
• When will candidates be notified?  Class of 2023 candidates will be contacted later in May 2022 if they are selected for the interview process, and the new class will be announced at World Congress 2022 in Chicago. 
• When will online interviews occur?  Candidates selected for Phase 2 will be interviewed in early June 2022.
• When will candidates be notified they were accepted into the Class of 2023?  Candidates will be notified in early July 2022 if they are accepted, and the Class of 2023 will be officially announced at World Congress 2022 in Chicago.
• How many students will be accepted into the class?  The number of students accepted varies between 15 and 25.

Curriculum

• If selected, when does the class begin?  The Class of 2023 will begin October 1, 2022.
• Will I be required to attend in-person events?  Yes, depending on COVID-19 restrictions, CMLDP students are required to attend 3 in person events – GCMS, SubCon, and World Congress.  The dates of these events can be found on the application. 
• Do I have to pay to attend in-person events?  Students do not have to pay registration fees to attend GCMS, SubCon, or World Congress. Students are responsible for travel and hotel costs.
• How may credit hours will I receive?  Students receive at least 160 credit hours.
• How long does it take to complete the program?  The program runs for 12 months, students that have met all criteria will graduate at World Congress in July.