Director, Navy & Marine Forces Program & Strategy

RAND Corporation; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 172,000 - 268,000; Full time

Job summary

RAND Corporation seeks a dynamic Director for the Navy and Marine Forces Program (NMF) within NSRD, located in one of RAND's offices (Santa Monica preferred). You will shape the research agenda, oversee complex analyses for defense policy, and expand sponsor relationships while guiding staff and ensuring high-quality, objective outputs.

The role requires a Master's degree (PhD preferred), 10+ years of leadership and research experience, and TS/SCI-level eligibility.

Qualifications

• Robust experience with business development and growing funding for research in policy domains and with sponsors.
• Exceptional abilities in interpersonal relations, managing staff and client relationships, and in written and oral communications.
• Experience leading FFRDC or similar projects with multi-disciplinary analysis and policy impact.

Responsibilities

• Lead and guide the program's research agenda and ensure quality and objectivity of outputs.
• Develop strong sponsor relationships and drive growth of the program's funding.
• Provide intellectual leadership, recruit and mentor staff, and contribute to leadership discussions.
• Engage with senior national security officials and translate research into actionable insights.

Skills

Business development

Strategic leadership

Interpersonal relations

Written and oral communications

Project portfolio management

AI knowledge beyond routine

Education

Master's degree in a relevant field

PhD desirable

Tools

Python

RAND AI APIs

Job description

RAND Corporation seeks a dynamic Director for the Navy and Marine Forces Program (NMF) within NSRD, located in one of RAND's offices (Santa Monica preferred). You will shape the research agenda, oversee complex analyses for defense policy, and expand sponsor relationships while guiding staff and ensuring high-quality, objective outputs.

The role requires a Master's degree (PhD preferred), 10+ years of leadership and research experience, and TS/SCI-level eligibility.