Assistant Director, Space Security & Strategic Defense

Atlantic Council Of The U S; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 61,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Atlantic Council is seeking an Assistant Director for its Forward Defense Program, based in Washington, DC. The role supports the Associate Director in executing FD’s strategic forces work, with a focus on space security, nuclear deterrence, missile defense, and long-range precision strike.

The candidate will lead the space security workstream, coordinate junior staff, manage projects, and cultivate donor relationships. Strong policy experience and ability to work across branches are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience in project management, event management, and stakeholder management.
• Excellent organizational, writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong track record engaging key US defense and security stakeholders, including government, academia, and think tanks.
• Significant interest and knowledge of defense and security issues across Forward Defense, esp. space.

Responsibilities

• Support organizing and executing major Forward Defense projects under supervision of the Associate Director and Director.
• Lead building the space program of work, including development of space security workstream, donor reporting, budgeting, and thought leadership.
• Help set timelines, track deliverables, and supervise junior staff for events and publications.
• Shape content and structure of FD’s strategic forces publications, focusing on space security.
• Contribute to research and writing on strategic forces with emphasis on space security.
• Edit written work and coordinate with fellows and staff for articles, briefs, blogs, and multimedia content.
• Liaise with Council centers, development, engagement, and executive offices for events and publications.
• Develop networks with defense industry, space sector, government partners, and academia.
• Mentor FD interns and junior staff.

Skills

Project management

Event management

Stakeholder management

Writing & editing

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Space security knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Graduate degree preferred

Job description

Atlantic Council is seeking an Assistant Director for its Forward Defense Program, based in Washington, DC. The role supports the Associate Director in executing FD’s strategic forces work, with a focus on space security, nuclear deterrence, missile defense, and long-range precision strike.

The candidate will lead the space security workstream, coordinate junior staff, manage projects, and cultivate donor relationships. Strong policy experience and ability to work across branches are essential.