Director, Navy and Marine Forces Program

RAND•Washington, DC

6d•$171,800 - $268,400•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of RAND’s Navy and Marine Forces Program (NMF), within the National Security Research Division (NSRD), oversees the program’s research execution in support of RAND’s mission to improve policy and decision-making through objective research and analysis. NMF supports the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, allied maritime and amphibious forces—including Australia and Canada—and other clients on acquisition, sustainment, personnel, force development, and strategy issues. Its work uses systems and cost analysis, modeling and simulation, qualitative research, and other methods. The Director leads and guides the program’s research agenda, ensures its work meets RAND quality standards, develops relationships with research sponsors, and leads business development and program growth. Responsibilities include expanding the sponsor base in the United States and internationally, adapting program emphasis to emerging policy issues, deepening understanding of sponsor needs, and increasing the program’s visibility and policy impact. At least 50% of the Director’s time is committed to running the program, with that share scaling with program size; the remainder is expected to include research. The program director assignment is a renewable five-year term, subject to management approval. The selected candidate will receive regular employment with RAND as a researcher; the researcher role itself is not termed. The role is based at a RAND office in Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; or Santa Monica, CA, with a preference for Washington or Pittsburgh. Employees in this arrangement are expected to work onsite an average of 50% of the time, and travel for sponsor engagements is required. A TS/SCI-eligible clearance is required, as is regular access to classified material and computing networks multiple times per week.

Requirements

At least 10 years of research experience.
Master’s degree in a relevant field.
Excellent record of research and analysis in NMF policy domains, gained in an FFRDC, government, academia, or elsewhere.
Robust business development experience and a track record of growing research funding in NMF policy domains and with sponsors.
Deep knowledge of the policy environment.
Excellent strategic leadership and organizational management capabilities, including the ability to maintain and manage a complex research program.
Ability to manage a portfolio of projects on time and on budget without sacrificing quality.
Exceptional interpersonal skills, including the ability to manage staff and client relationships.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Experience working directly with senior national security officials, preferably in NMF policy domains.
Experience interacting with civilian and military leaders in a project leadership or management role.
National or international recognition as a policy expert in the candidate’s field.
Experience successfully leading FFRDC or similar projects, including complex, multidisciplinary analysis.
Ability to translate research findings into compelling insights for policymakers and ensure briefings, written reports, and other products meet RAND quality and objectivity standards.
Experience with and growing knowledge of artificial intelligence beyond routine chatbot use.
Ability to access classified material and classified computing networks regularly, multiple times per week.
TS/SCI-eligible security clearance.
Ability to travel for sponsor engagements.

Nice To Haves

PhD in a relevant field.
Experience or knowledge involving coding agents, Python, and RAND’s suite of AI application programming interfaces (APIs).

Responsibilities

Oversee execution of the program’s research in alignment with RAND’s mission and standards for quality and objectivity.
Lead and guide the program’s research agenda and provide intellectual leadership for its research.
Develop strong sponsor relationships and understand sponsors’ needs and requirements.
Lead business development and grow the program, including expanding its U.S. and international sponsor base.
Adapt program emphasis proactively to address emerging policy issues in the program’s domains.
Enhance the program’s visibility and policy impact.
Manage a complex research program and a portfolio of projects on time and on budget without sacrificing quality.
Engage in research alongside program management duties.
Work with the NSRD leadership team and provide advice to the Vice President and Director of NSRD.
Participate in recruiting, mentoring, and staff development.
Travel for sponsor engagements.