Senior Advisor, Acquisition Innovation Research

Job Description

The Virginia Tech National Security Institute is seeking a Senior Advisor, Acquisition Innovation Research to support long-term planning and management of academic research portfolios that are focused on bringing innovation to Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition through interdisciplinary research that includes policy, technology, tools, data, and workforce development.

Based on the foundation of the Ted and Karyn Hume Center for National Security and Technology, Virginia Tech launched the National Security Institute in September 2021 with a mission to meet the pressing needs of the defense and intelligence communities by advancing interdisciplinary research, technology, policy and the development of specialized talent. With a presence in Blacksburg and Washington, D.C., metro area, the Virginia Tech National Security Institute carries out its mission with a mix of education programs and research programs. Education programs engage undergraduates and graduate students through experiential learning, scholarships, internship, and career opportunities in the national security sector. Research programs support graduate assistantships through sponsored research with defense and intelligence organizations.

The successful candidate for the Senior Advisor, Acquisition Innovation Research will help to expand the Virginia Tech National Security Institute research portfolio and partnerships in the areas of digital engineering, mission engineering, test and evaluation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. A successful candidate will have experience managing multiple interdisciplinary research projects that support continuous improvement of the Department of Defense acquisition lifecycle policy and process through innovative and transformative use of technologies, tools, data, and analytics. The successful candidate will have an ability and willingness to work collaboratively with faculty and researchers from a variety of disciplines across academia, industry, and non-profit organizations. The successful candidate will also proactively work to establish new relationships with government research sponsors, as well as expand partnerships with research collaborators from academia, industry, and non-profit organizations. This position will prepare and deliver materials on the makeup of research portfolios, capabilities, current research, and future opportunities. They will also assist the Deputy Director of the Virginia Tech National Security Institute in shaping future directions for the research portfolios.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in business administration or related field and/or Bachelor's degree in industry related field with significant business experience and significant progressively responsible experience in a large research organization.

• Prior experience in the role of PI or Co-PI on funded research projects

• Ability to articulate a coherent agenda or research or scholarship and to identify potential funding sources to support such research activities

• Ability to drive change in government organizations through innovation and transformation

• Effective communication skills

• Must be a U.S. citizen

• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience developing and/or managing acquisition strategies, schedules, contracts, budgets

• Ability and willingness to work collaborative across multiple disciplines and organizations, to include academia, industry, and non-profit

• Ability to develop strategic partnerships and advance initiatives to support Virginia Tech National Security Institute mission

• Interest or experience working effectively with a diverse population of undergraduate and graduate students

• Active TS/SCI clearance

Pay Band

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Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

commensurate with experience

Review Date

January 2, 2023

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Susan Kass at sjkass@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.