Vice President And Director- Systems, Tactics & Force Development

The Systems, Tactics, and Force Development (STF) division is part of the Center for Naval Analyses. Its mission is to provide analysis for decision-makers to support the development of tactics and employment of forces, the modernization and management of forces, and the establishment of integrated requirements. The division includes 75 full time and part time analysts with advanced degrees in physics, mathematics, engineering, chemistry, and other technical disciplines. Analysts support decision-makers by quantifying naval warfighting capabilities and limitations under realistic employment conditions; developing empirical or theoretical estimates for the performance of fleet systems and platforms; and developing creative solutions to complex tactical and force design challenges. The STF division’s key lines of research include tactical employment analyses, force development analyses, and system performance analyses. Our tactical employment-related work focuses on the tactical development of systems, platforms, and forces; warfare and multi-mission tactical employment from platforms to maneuver units, and capability gaps. Our force development-related work focuses on technology military utility requirements, cost effectiveness analyses, future force architectures, and modernization issues. Our systems performance-related work focuses on design/engineering analyses, test performance and systems operational evaluations, system/system-of-systems interoperability, and modeling performance under operational conditions. The STF division is currently organized around warfare domains with four research programs: Undersea Warfare; Surface Warfare; Strike and Air Warfare; and Cyber, IT Systems, and Networks.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Vice President & Director (VP/Director) reports to the Executive Vice President (EVP), Center for Naval Analyses.

The VP/Director is responsible for leading all aspects of the division to include, but not limited to, the day-to-day and long-term success of the division. Responsibilities include shaping the portfolio of work to meet the most important needs of our sponsors, anticipating sponsor needs and building analytic capacity to meet current and future demand, and ensuring that the division’s work and service to our clients are relevant, timely, high quality, on budget, and delivered in a form that is useful to decision-makers. S/he is also responsible for identifying, developing, and retaining a diverse workforce, which includes members of the division’s management team.

S/he provides insightful and credible leadership to the EVP Center for Naval Analyses and Corporate leadership. S/he provides support, direction, and solutions that are creative and forward-looking. This leadership role also carries with it personal and corporate responsibility to build and sustain a respectful workplace.

JOB DESCRIPTION AND/OR DUTIES

• Develop and shape the strategic direction and long-term vision or the division.
• Oversee the development and execution of focused programs of research that align with senior DON and DOD leader priorities.
• Maintain and develop strong and effective sponsor relations to ensure the work of the division is supporting the needs of DON and DOD sponsors and their leadership.
• Oversee the division’s business development efforts to secure task-order funding to augment the division’s line-item funded research program and to support FFRDC ceiling attainment.
• Ensure the division organization, staff, and core mission is aligned with the evolving challenges and needs of our sponsors.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external partners to ensure broad exposure for the division’s analytic products through a variety of venues and media platforms to maximize impact of the work.
• Ensure high standards of quality and relevance are met and consistently deliver timely, high quality research and analyses to sponsors.
• Exercise sound financial management of the division
• Work collaboratively with CNA’s human resources team to recruit and retain a high quality, diverse staff sized to execute the division’s work in a timely fashion.
• Mentor and provide for the professional development of the staff.
• Build effective, high functioning teams and select and develop the division’s leadership team. Set clear objectives and measures, and hold staff accountable for outcomes. Motivate and coach direct reports to acquire skills and capabilities that contribute to a high performance team.
• Leverage various approaches to communication to ensure employees are aligned with organizational goals and regularly receive other timely information. Engage employees and promote a collaborative work environment.
• Be a strong corporate leader and contribute to the success of the FFRDC and CNA as a whole. Proactively support the organization’s diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Support the growth and development of the next generation of CNA leaders.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Vice President, FFRDC.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
1. An advanced degree in a field relevant to division’s research portfolio is required.

2. Professional Experience:

• At least 10 years’ experience as an analyst in matters related to national security or defense is desired.
• Thorough knowledge of the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy is desired. Strong existing relationships with leadership in the Department of Defense also desired.
• Past research program management experience or experience as a director of large research and analysis projects is required. Prior experience working for a FFRDC is preferred.
• Technical and practical knowledge sufficient to understand specific technical and operational needs of sponsors is required.

3. Skills:

• Authentic leader and manager with a collaborative and inclusive approach in assessing individual/organizational challenges, problem-solving, and developing partnerships.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills and proven record of accomplishment of developing and maintaining collaborative relationships across a broad range of professionals and government sponsors at all levels, including senior levels.
• Exceptional written and oral communication and presentation skills with demonstrated ability to be persuasive and communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Strong leadership and management skills with a record of accomplishment of effectively leading performance and outcome based programs and staff. Demonstrated thought leadership both internally and with clients.
• Ability to understand and objectively critique research projects being carried out and identify areas or methods of improvement.
• Proven ability to handle a variety of demands simultaneously and thrive in a complex environment with multiple, competing priorities.
• Experience in recruiting, managing, developing, retaining and objectively evaluating performance of research staff, program/project managers and other professionals.
• Commitment and support to create a diverse and inclusive work environment in which employees are encouraged to be forward leaning and share ideas; demonstrated success negotiating and managing problems to positive resolution; and ability to build and sustain a respectful workplace.

4. Security clearances: This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a minimum of a GENSER and Active Secret/or higher security clearance. Preferably, the candidate will already hold an active security clearance.

***Please include a cover letter as a part of your application to be considered for this position. A cover letter should introduce yourself, briefly summarize your professional background, explain why you are a good candidate and the reason for your personal interest in applying for this job.

***Voluntary (but highly desired) document***
Please include a personal statement as part of your application. A personal statement is a chance for us to get to know you. The statement is your opportunity to share your goals, interests, influences and show us that you will be a valuable asset to our organization. Please click here for personal statement guidelines – Click here
Personal statements will not be used as an elimination criteria for this position. They will only be used to enhance a candidate’s application

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