Strategic/Operational Planner

Agile Defense•Fort Meade, MD

About The Position

At Agile Defense we know that action defines the outcome and new challenges require new solutions. That’s why we always look to the future and embrace change with an unmovable spirit and the courage to build for what comes next. Our vision is to bring adaptive innovation to support our nation's most important missions through the seamless integration of advanced technologies, elite minds, and unparalleled agility—leveraging a foundation of speed, flexibility, and ingenuity to strengthen and protect our nation’s vital interests. As part of the Agile Defense team supporting the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN) and the Interagency Intelligence and Cyber Operations Network (ICON), you will work alongside government and industry partners to support cyber intelligence operations, digital network exploitation, and operational effectiveness across a diverse set of national security missions. NSIN, a program office within the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), builds communities of innovators to develop solutions to national security challenges in support of the Department of Defense, the Intelligence Community, and other government organizations. Through ICON, NSIN delivers intelligence and cyber capabilities to a broad range of mission partners, including U.S. Cyber Command, Cyber Mission Forces, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community organizations, and DoD components. In this role, you will directly support cyber intelligence and network exploitation activities contributing to mission execution across cyber intelligence operations, defensive and offensive cyber operations, and DoD information network operations. SUMMARY The Strategic/Operational Planner provides senior-level planning support to prepare and enable command staffs to meet joint and interagency mission requirements across a broad and complex operational environment. This role focuses on translating strategic guidance into executable operational plans that integrate across functional areas including operations, logistics, information operations, intelligence, cyber operations, and strategic communications. The Planner applies joint planning doctrine and processes to develop, analyze, and refine military courses of action, ensuring the effective employment of military power to achieve operational and strategic objectives. This position supports planning for the full range of military operations, from steady-state activities through crisis response and contingency operations.

Requirements

Minimum Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree and Nine (9) years of experience
Relevant Experience: Five (5) years of position-specific relevant experience
Education Equivalences: High School Diploma + Thirteen (13) years of experience Associate’s Degree + Eleven (11) years of experience Master’s Degree + Seven (7) years of experience PhD + Five (5) years of experience
ADDITIONAL SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS · Demonstrated experience supporting joint, operational, or strategic-level planning in a military or government environment.
Working knowledge of joint planning doctrine, processes, and terminology.
Experience applying APEX and the Joint Operation Planning Process in operational or contingency planning contexts.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to assess complex operational problems and develop structured planning solutions.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written products and oral briefings to senior military and civilian leadership.
Experience working in high-tempo, dynamic environments requiring coordination across multiple stakeholders and functional areas.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic and operational planning support across joint and interagency mission areas, including operations, logistics, intelligence, information operations, cyber operations, public affairs, public diplomacy, and staff coordination.
Conduct detailed operational planning to develop viable options, identify required resources, and assess risks associated with military operations.
Support the integration of planning efforts across functional and staff directorates to ensure unity of effort and alignment with higher-level guidance.
Apply the Adaptive Planning and Execution (APEX) system and the Joint Operation Planning Process (JOPP) to support planning for the full range of military operations.
Develop, analyze, and refine courses of action (COAs), including assumptions, constraints, risks, and mitigation strategies.
Support planning efforts aimed at shaping the operational environment, addressing foreseen contingencies, and responding to emerging or unforeseen crises.
Assist in the preparation and coordination of operational plans, concept plans, orders, briefings, and supporting documentation.
Provide staff support to command leadership and planning teams, including participation in working groups, planning teams, and operational boards.
Ensure planning products are coherent, feasible, acceptable, suitable, and aligned with strategic objectives and command priorities.
Contribute to continuous improvement of planning processes, methodologies, and staff readiness.