Director, Navy and Marine Forces Program

Regular

One of seven business divisions at RAND, NSRD conducts research and analysis on national security issues for the United States, U.S. allies, other governments, and foundations. NSRD operates the National Defense Research Institute (NDRI), a U.S. federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) that works with the Office of the Secretary of War, the Joint Staff, combatant commands, defense agencies, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and the Defense Intelligence Enterprise.

Within NSRD, The Navy and Marine Forces Program (NMF) helps the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps; allied maritime and amphibious forces, including Australia and Canada; and other clients manage acquisition, sustainment, personnel, force development and strategy issues by providing systems analysis, cost analysis, modeling and simulation, qualitative research and other methods as required.

The Director for NMF is responsible for oversight of the program’s research execution in a manner consistent with RAND’s mission to improve policy and decision-making through objective research and analysis. This includes leading and guiding the program’s research agenda, ensuring that the program’s research meets RAND’s quality standards, and developing strong relationships with research sponsors. The Director is responsible for business development and for growth of the program, including expanding the sponsor base in the U.S. and internationally and proactively adapting program emphasis to address emerging policy issues within the program’s domains.

The Director will have, or be required to develop, a deep understanding of NMF sponsors’ needs and requirements—imperative for driving growth of the program and responsiveness to the evolving policy environment. The Director also works to enhance the visibility and policy impact of the program. The Director position includes a minimum of 50% time commitment to running the program, whichwill scale with the size of the program.

The director is expected to engage in research with the remainder of their time. This is a five-year term position that isrenewable with management approval.

Applicants should have an excellent track record in research and analysis in NMF’s policy domains through experience in FFRDC, government, academia, or elsewhere. A successful applicant will have robust experience with business development and a track record of growing funding for research in NMF’s policy domains and with sponsors. In addition, applicants should demonstrate deep knowledge of the policy environment, excellent strategic leadership and organizational management capabilities, and the ability to maintain and manage a complex research program.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to manage a portfolio of projects on time and on budget without sacrificing quality. The Director must have exceptional abilities in interpersonal relations, managing staff and client relationships, and in written and oral communications.

The Program Director must:

• Have experience working directly with senior national security officials, preferably in NMF’s policy domains;
• Provide intellectual leadership for program research;
• Have a proven track record in business development;
• Have national or international recognition as a policy expert in their field;
• Have successfully led FFRDC or similar projects, including complex, multi-disciplinary analysis
• Excellent ability to translate research findings into compelling insights digestible by policymakers while ensuring that briefings, written reports, and other products meet RAND standards for quality and objectivity
• Provide advice to the Vice President and Director of NSRD as part of the leadership team
• Participate in in…