Salary/Position Classification

• $150,000+ dependent on experience, Annual, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• 100% Remote Work Availability: Yes
• Hybrid Work Availability: Yes

Purpose of Position

The Director of National Security Research Development facilitates an effort to bring the UND research and education community together to build a comprehensive approach to research and development, workforce development, and economic development related to matters of national security. The Director of National Security Research Development is responsible for developing groundbreaking partnerships and opportunities to enhance the university’s research portfolio in National Security, including UND and ND’s leading-edge uncrewed aircraft systems capabilities. The Director understands, prioritizes, and communicates basic and applied research funding opportunities, industry partnership opportunities and federal activities related to National Security. The Director liaises on behalf of the university with representatives from other universities, federal and state agencies, industry representatives and members/representatives of the North Dakota Congressional Delegation and congressional committees, as appropriate. The Director reports to the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and works closely and collaborates with the Associate Vice President for National Security Research as well as campus leadership, faculty, academic units and the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Autonomous Systems to articulate and focus cross-campus strengths and catalyze compelling initiatives in areas of emerging interest for research related to national security.

The Director may reside in the National Capital Region with travel to the UND campus as part of the position’s duties. Conversely, the Director may reside near UND with frequent travel to the National Capital Region as part of the position’s duties.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Business Development in national security, including UND’s leading-edge uncrewed aircraft systems capabilities.
  • Develop relationships within UND and the surrounding ecosystem.
  • Establish and maintain a professional network of key customers, influencers, and executive decision makers within the USSF, USSC, DoD, NASA, DHS, DOT, US Intelligence Community, federal research agencies (e.g., AFOSR, AFRL, ONR, NRL, ARl, DARPA, etc.) and other federal agencies, relevant state agencies, industry, collaborating universities, and legislative leadership in national security research domains.
  • Leverage relationships within UND, the surrounding ecosystem, and external to our ecosystem to develop insight into potential partner strategic direction(s), policies, R&D priorities, budget allocations, legislative opportunities, and future plans in the areas of national security.
  • Identify and pursue new sponsored research opportunities and promote UND as a leader in relevant Autonomous Systems areas.
  • Demonstrate senior leadership skills and abilities and possess an innovative spirit and vision for working with USSF, USSC, DoD, NASA, DHS, DOT, US Intelligence Community, federal research agencies (e.g., AFOSR, AFRL, ONR, NRL, ARl, DARPA) and other federal agencies, relevant state agencies, industry, collaborating universities, and legislative leadership. 
• Strategic Plan Development in national security research, including UND’s leading-edge uncrewed autonomous systems capabilities.
  • With the AVPR for National Security and the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Autonomous Systems:
    • Draft national security research portfolio(s) strategic plans.
    • Track progress and provide reports to relevant stakeholders.
    • Periodically revise the national security strategic plan to ensure plan relevancy and value.
  • Integrate the national security research portfolio(s) growth and opportunities with the educational and research missions of UND.
  • Assist in the development of a plan to recruit and retain a workforce (faculty, staff, student) qualified and able to conduct research on matters of national security, including classified research and ITAR-compliant research. 
• Oversee the coordination of research teams, and preparation and execution of research funding proposals in collaboration with support staff
  • Work closely with UND leaders (President, Provost, VPRED, Deans, etc.), the AVPR-NS, Associate Deans for Research and the RIAS Executive Director.
  • Communicate DoD, USSF, USSC, and industry contractor(s) current and future key areas and R&D priorities within the national security community and develop action plans to meet those needs.
  • Foster relationship development between UND and associated ecosystem stakeholder personnel with funding agency personnel to enable proposal development and long-term engagement.
  • Work closely with established research teams to ensure alignment of proposal objectives with desired outcomes of funding agencies.
  • Assist in the identification and recruitment of a workforce (faculty, staff, student) qualified and able to work on matters of national security, including classified research and ITAR-compliant research. 
• Provide day-to-day leadership of the UND national security research portfolios
  • Cultivate and coordinate strategic relationships with all partners (UND, associated ecosystem, and external).
  • Integrate UND research content experts in federal, state, and industry partner relationships.
  • Establish an atmosphere of partnership with stakeholders (UND leadership, the AVPR-NS, the RIAS Executive director, Associate Deans for Research, faculty, staff, broader ecosystem).
  • Regularly communicate with stakeholders (UND leadership, the AVPR-NS, the RIAS Executive director, Associate Deans for Research, faculty, staff, broader ecosystem).
  • Regularly discuss strategy with UND leadership, the AVPR-NS, the RIAS Executive director, Associate Deans for Research, faculty, staff, etc., as necessary.
  • Promote and develop UND national security research strengths and goals to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Formulate and execute an effective articulation, communication, and development strategy for each research or education partnership in national security.
  • Engage in student-centered workforce development in the areas of national security with federal, state, and industry partners in coordination with internal stakeholders. 

Required Competencies

• Broad knowledge of academic and commercial development relevant to national security capability needs
• Broad knowledge of emerging federal agency needs and associated basic and applied Science and Technology programs
• Deep understanding of the organization, leadership structure, and decision-making process of the U.S. Department of Defense and other US national security-related agencies
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, lead and execute studies, projects and/or programs and communicate results to senior leadership.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, organizational, oral presentation and executive writing skills, including an ability to explain policy and technical issues related to space and autonomous systems programs
• Travel requirements for this position are occasional, but may require travel up to 40% of the time
• Demonstrated understanding of the federal national security enterprise to include DoD requirements, acquisition, and budgeting processes and applicable DoD guidance and policy.
• Familiarity with defense and national security strategy, requirements, capabilities, analysis, architectures, programs, acquisition, and operations.
• Familiarity with civil, commercial and international space and/or autonomous systems capabilities and architectures.
• Understanding and experience in working with members of the federal government in the executive and legislative branches.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years experience working with research funding with federal agencies.
• United States citizen who is eligible for (current or prior qualified), for DOD/USIC top-secret security clearance.
• Five years experience of executive level interaction developing, leading, and applying research efforts in support of the U.S. Department of Defense, US Intelligence Community and/or Aerospace and Defense Industry.
• Project or program management or business management experience in the federal government or industry related to national security.
• Experience cultivating complex relationships with DoD, US Intelligence Community and/or Aerospace and Defense industry or within and between academia and DoD or Aerospace/Defense industries.
• Experience with contracting and/or business development in the federal government or industry.
• Export Control Compliance: This position requires compliance with U.S. government export control laws and regulations. Applicants are required to be eligible for employment under U.S. export control laws and must meet the requirements of being a "U.S. Person" (U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C.1324b (a)(3)). UND will not sponsor applicants for employment authorization for this position. Information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. export control laws and will be used in compliance with all laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree
• Experience working both at the U.S. Department of Defense and for a defense contractor
• Experience with interdisciplinary research collaborations and securing funding from external organizations, such as government agencies, industry, and/or foundations

To Apply

A complete resume is required. Your resume must show relevant experience, job title, duties and accomplishments. Your resume must show complete information for each job entry to support minimum qualifications. The following information should be provided in your resume, but it is acceptable to provide elsewhere in your application package: employer's name, starting and end dates (Mo/Yr). Your resume or curriculum vitae may be submitted in any format and must support the qualifications described in this announcement.

If you claim membership, license, certification, or credentials, you must submit a copy of said document in your application package.
The following documents are considered optional:

• Cover letter with narrative responses answering hiring criteria questions listed in the "Qualifications" section.
• Letter of Interest. Please provide a brief description of your professional goals, personal interests, and desired areas of study.