Policy Analyst

Arenatechnologies; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) seeks a Senior Policy Analyst to support Navy Staff at the Pentagon in Arlington, VA. You will help develop Navy and Joint plans, programs, and policies and provide expert analysis for inter‑agency coordination.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s degree in a related field, 10+ years of DoD experience, and an active DoD Secret clearance, with strong written/oral communication and MS Office proficiency.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in military science, operations research, maritime policy, international relations, national security affairs, or strategic studies; PMP preferred.
• Ten+ years of progressive DoD experience including Echelon 1 policy and planning; familiarity with OPNAV documentation and DoD capstone policies.
• Experience in Navy staff roles with tasker processes and workflows; editorial, analytic, and research standards.
• Strong written and oral communication; ability to multi‑task and address client questions professionally.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook).
• Active DoD Secret clearance is required and must be maintainable.

Responsibilities

• Support SPA’s Navy Staff client in developing Navy and Joint plans, programs, and policies.
• Provide advice and analysis on inter‑agency plans, policies, and force employment posture.
• Draft, review, and analyze plans and policy documents; assist with taskers and information requests; coordinate positions across stakeholders.
• Deliver presentations to senior leaders.

Skills

Communication skills

DoD experience

Policy analysis

MS Office proficiency

Active DoD Secret clearance

Education

Master's degree in military science / related field

Tools

OPNAV documentation standards

Job description

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The SLA Analysis Group provides objective analyses, plans, and strategies to USN, USAF, Australian Defence, and DARPA clients to support acquisition, delivery, and sustainment decisions. Embedded within the group lies the core SPA thought leadership on Undersea Strategy, Software Development, and Cost Estimating with additional benchmark capabilities in AI/ML & Decision Analytics, Modeling and Simulation, and Future Force Assessments.

SPA has an immediate need for a Senior Policy Analyst. This is a full‑time position seated at the client site at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

Responsibilities

The Senior Policy Analyst will support SPA’s Navy Staff client in the development of Navy and Joint plans, programs, and policies. The analyst will be required to provide advice and analysis regarding inter‑agency plans and policies, Navy plans on force employment and posture, how the Navy will meet anticipated national security requirements, and Navy‑wide coordination and integration with the Coast Guard and Marine Corps. He/she will employ multidisciplinary analysis to find objective and rigorous answers on these topics; draft, review, and analyze plans and policy documents; assist Navy Staff in responding to taskers and requests for information; and coordinate and participate in reviews and other meetings, developing information papers and briefings, wargaming support, coordination of off‑site activities, facilitation of planning conferences, coordinating policy positions across Navy stakeholders, advocacy support for the development and coordination of N5 topics and related issues across DoD and DON. Additional activities include delivering presentations to senior leaders.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited university in the field of military science, operations research, maritime policy, international relations, national security affairs, strategic studies of Government, or related fields; Project Management Professional is preferred
• Ten (10) years or more of progressive DoD experience to include experience in Echelon 1 policy and planning; fluency in OSD and Naval organizations; familiarity with current U.S. Service, Joint and DoD Capstone Strategies and Policies; OPNAV documentation, editorial, analytic and research standards; prior OPNAV and/or SECNAV experience preferred
• Previous experience working in OPNAV or comparable Navy staff roles, including familiarity with tasker process, action memos, and other workflows
• Strong written and oral communication skills, the ability and willingness to multi‑task, and capable of professionally addressing client questions and issues
• Proficiency with the MS Office Suite of products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook)
• Active DoD Secret clearance is required, and the ability to maintain it throughout employment

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with Navy or Coast Guard policy, plans, and programs and service integration

Pay Range Information

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $115,000.00/Yr. - USD $145,000.00/Yr.