Defense Innovation Project Lead

Overview

If you're passionate about driving the success of groundbreaking innovation programs - we’d love to connect!

We are seeking a project champion to help plan and execute programs to empower researchers, scientists and entrepreneurs to improve the potential success of their ideas and commercialize new ventures. This person should be well versed in running programs and be both operations and people focused.

Typical work includes:

• Support the execution of defense innovation programs from planning through delivery
• Drive program success by recruiting entrepreneurs and startups through creative outreach, hosting workshops/events, coaching founders, and onboarding advisors
• Manage detailed project plans, ensuring organization, timeliness, and quality in all program execution
• Track program budgets, expenses, and reporting to support accountability and transparency
• Design and prepare presentations, reports, and content using tools such as PowerPoint, Beautiful.ai, and Canva
• Coordinate and execute the backend of workshops, webinars, and ecosystem events using platforms like Zoom
• Manage client engagements, including scheduling, agenda preparation, note-taking, and follow-up actions
• Actively engage with the innovation ecosystem in the region - connecting with companies, customers, advisors, and investors and integrating them into Fed Tech activities
• Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to align program efforts and strengthen relationships with key external stakeholders
• Support evolving program and organizational needs by taking initiative on new projects and responsibilities as needed

Successful candidates will have the following qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in innovation programs, startup accelerators, venture creation, or entrepreneurship support organizations
• Preferred: US Navy veteran
• Familiarity with DOD/Navy innovation initiatives or early-stage technology ventures
• Strong project management skills, including budget tracking and multi-workstream coordination
• Proficiency with productivity and collaboration tools, including Excel, Google Suite, Airtable, Forecast, PowerPoint, Beautiful.ai, Canva, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams
• Skilled in stakeholder engagement and relationship-building across diverse groups
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentation design and client-facing communication
• Experience planning and managing virtual events or workshops
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven, with a focus on testing, measuring, and iterating to improve outcomes
• Adaptable and solutions-focused, with the ability to take initiative and drive projects forward

• Boldness:
  We have the fortitude to forge new paths and push beyond our comfort
• Unity:
  We treat our clients, team members and partners as we would like to be treated - we are one united team
• Introspection:
  We recognize introspection is the necessary ingredient in which self-improvement flourishes
• Leadership:
  We embrace servant leadership - putting the interests of client, team partners and partners first
• Decisiveness:
  We have a strong bias towards action

• Annual base salary range: $70-90k
• The salary range listed for this position is based on market data and internal compensation structure. The final compensation package will be determined based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, relevant experience, skills and education. This range is not a guarantee of compensation and offers may fall outside this range in exceptional cases
• In addition to the base salary, compensation includes performance-based bonus (OTE) and ability to earn equity
• A competitive benefits package including 401K with employer match, health/dental/vision plans through Blue Cross Blue Shield, accrued PTO, professional development funds, employer paid disability insurance, parental leave, transportation and wellness reimbursements, amongst others

This role offers a hybrid schedule and can be based in any of the following locations:
Arlington, VA;
Los Angeles Metro area (around Inland Empire);
Austin, TX; or Boston, MA