Associate Director, National Security Research Division (NSRD)
About The Position
RAND’s National Security Research Division (NSRD) delivers methodologically rigorous research and analysis to help the Department of War and the broader national security community address the United States’ most critical defense and security challenges. Its analytic priorities align with DoW’s evolving priorities, in particular, positioning the United States for strong homeland defense; preparing for great‑power war; addressing the national security implications of emerging technologies; revitalizing the defense industrial base; ensuring a strong and ready joint force; and rebalancing security relationships with allies and partners. Undergirding our research priorities is a deep commitment to fostering the next generation of national security strategists and policy leaders. 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. The division manages more than 200 active analytical projects at any given time, which generate annual revenue of approximately $70-75 million. The Associate Director of RAND NSRD directly supports the RAND Vice President and Director of NSRD in a manner consistent with RAND's mission to improve policy and decision-making through objective research and analysis, including helping guide the division's research agenda, expanding its business base, developing and executing a 3-year business plan, ensuring the division's work meets RAND quality standards, and supporting sponsors' needs. Approximately 80% of this position will involve duties related to the leadership, management and oversight of the research division. The remaining 20% of the time will involve individual research pursuits. This is a five-year term position, with an option to extend subject to management approval.
Requirements
- An excellent track record in national security policy through deep experience in government, FFRDCs, academia, or related sectors.
- Strong research and analysis capabilities
- Deep knowledge of national security policy
- Excellent leadership and organizational management capabilities
- Ability to build business and to maintain and manage a complex research program
- Exceptional abilities in interpersonal relations, maintaining staff and sponsor relationships, and in written and oral communications
- Strong commitment to RAND’s core values of quality and objectivity
- Advanced degree in a National Security discipline, Policy Analysis, Engineering, Economics, Operations Research, Information Science, or related field.
- Master’s Degree required
- Experience equivalent to RAND senior-level researcher (a minimum of 8 years conducting or overseeing policy research and 10+ years of experience in the national security community is desired)
- Experience managing complex teams in a sponsor-oriented environment
- Experience working directly with senior national security officials is required
- An active Secret clearance is required.
- Candidate must be eligible for a Top-Secret clearance.
Nice To Haves
- PhD is preferred
Responsibilities
- Helping to oversee a complex enterprise featuring numerous distinct workstreams including oversight of multi-disciplinary analyses
- Helping to oversee the allocation of the division’s discretionary accounts for concept development and exploratory research on horizon topics, to build capabilities ahead of sponsor requirements, and extend the reach of NSRD analyses
- Having a proven track record in business development
- Providing intellectual leadership for division research
- Helping to ensure that briefings, written reports, and other products meet RAND standards for quality and objectivity
- Providing consistent and high-quality advice to the Vice President and Director of NSRD as part of the leadership team
- Assisting in recruiting, onboarding, developing, and mentoring RAND staff and creating an inclusive work environment
- Having national and international recognition as a national security policy expert in their field
Benefits
- health insurance coverage
- life and disability insurance
- savings plan
- paid time-off
- Relocation assistance may be available.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
