Strategic Operations Analyst

Thompson Gray • Huntsville, AL

9h • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategically minded Strategic Operations Analyst to support our G-TEAD (Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate) effort in Huntsville, AL. This is a senior advisory role serving as the principal strategic advisor and trusted counsel to the Director of G-TEAD. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in strategy development, organizational positioning, and high-level stakeholder engagement, and can translate complex operating environments into clear strategic direction. The Strategic Operations Analyst will shape how G-TEAD prioritizes its efforts, communicates its value, and positions itself across the broader Army and DoD acquisition enterprise. This is not a staff coordination role - it is a thinking partner role, requiring someone who can operate at the intersection of strategy, policy, and capability development with minimal direction. This position requires significant travel (50–60%) to Army installations, partner commands, and senior leader engagements.

Requirements

• Must possess an active Secret Security Clearance; TS/SCI preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in Strategic Studies, National Security, Public Policy, Business, or a related field; Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in strategy development, senior advisory, or high-level analytical roles within the DoD or federal government.
• Demonstrated ability to advise and influence senior military or civilian leadership (flag officer, SES, or equivalent level).
• Deep understanding of the Army and DoD acquisition ecosystem, including policy frameworks, funding mechanisms, and institutional equities.
• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills with a track record of translating ambiguous, complex problems into clear strategic recommendations.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills; must be able to produce polished executive-level products independently and under tight timelines.
• Comfortable operating with significant autonomy in dynamic, high-visibility environments.
• Ability and willingness to travel 50–60% of the time.
• Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a dedicated strategy, policy, or advisory role at the Army enterprise or joint level (e.g., HQDA, OSD, combatant command, or equivalent).
• Background in defense acquisition policy, technology transition strategy, or capability development at the program or enterprise level.
• Familiarity with Army modernization priorities and the capability development pipeline (JCIDS, DAS, PPBE).
• Experience engaging with Congressional staff, OSD, or interagency partners on acquisition and technology policy matters.
• Knowledge of emerging technology domains relevant to Army modernization (e.g., C5ISR, autonomous systems, directed energy, space).
• Graduate-level education in strategy, national security, or public policy.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Director's principal strategic advisor, providing candid, informed counsel on organizational direction, priorities, and key decisions across all G-TEAD mission areas.
• Help the Director think through complex, ambiguous problems - pressure-testing assumptions, identifying second-order effects, and offering independent strategic perspective.
• Prepare and deliver high-quality decision support products, strategic assessments, and executive briefings that distill complex information into clear recommendations for senior leadership.
• Represent the Director's strategic intent in engagements with Army leadership, partner organizations, and industry when delegated.
• Lead the development and refinement of G-TEAD's strategic framework, including long-range plans, organizational priorities, and campaign objectives aligned with Army and DoD modernization goals.
• Assess the evolving Army acquisition and technology landscape to identify strategic opportunities, risks, and inflection points relevant to G-TEAD's mission.
• Develop and maintain a coherent strategic narrative for G-TEAD that articulates the organization's mission, value proposition, and vision to internal and external audiences.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable guidance and recommendations that can be executed across G-TEAD's distributed enterprise.
• Monitor and analyze policy, legislative, and budgetary developments across the DoD and Army enterprise that could affect G-TEAD's authorities, resources, or mission scope.
• Provide the Director with timely, objective analysis of how shifts in Army strategy, acquisition policy, or operational requirements should inform G-TEAD's approach.
• Engage with Congressional staff, OSD policy offices, and Army staff elements to shape and inform policy outcomes relevant to G-TEAD.
• Identify and assess emerging technology trends and their implications for G-TEAD's acquisition and transition strategy.
• Develop and advance G-TEAD's engagement strategy with senior Army and DoD leadership, industry partners, and the operational community.
• Craft strategic communications, white papers, and position documents that articulate G-TEAD's priorities and influence enterprise-level decisions.
• Build and sustain trusted relationships with key stakeholders across the acquisition, requirements, and operational communities to advance G-TEAD's strategic interests.
• Support the Director in preparing for and executing high-visibility engagements including senior leader forums, industry days, and Congressional interactions.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Dependent Scholarship Program – supporting the education of employees' children
• Tuition Assistance for furthering your own education
• Professional Development opportunities
• Generous time-off policies, including 18 days of paid time off, 10 Federal Holidays, and flexible scheduling
• Annual donation to the charity of your choice

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior