RELATED March 10, 2026 Partnership for Public Service's public comments on OPM's "Reduction in Force Appeals" proposed rule March 06, 2026 Partnership for Public Service’s public comments on OPM’s “Suitability Action Appeals” proposed rule February 13, 2026 Partnership for Public Service’s public comments on OPM’s “Ensuring Consistent and Rigorous Standards for Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Programs” proposed rule Back to Reports Strengthening the Senior Executive Service: A Review of Challenges Facing the Government’s Leaders March 29, 2011 Partnership CEO, Max Stier, delivered testimony before the Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management on efforts to reform the Senior Executive Service (SES). “With almost half of the SES eligible to retire, we have a unique opportunity to fundamentally rethink the SES. We need a senior leadership team that is innovative and flexible and works across agencies and sectors to deliver results for the American people.” In his testimony, Stier argues that sustained leadership attention is key in driving these reforms. He calls for increased mobility among the senior ranks and a rebalancing of career and political leadership. In addition, he provides recommendations for Congress on how government can recruit, hire, onboard and develop executive talent. Download (376k)