Senior Director, Technology Leadership

Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 256,000; Full time

Job summary

Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP in Arlington, VA, seeks a Senior Director for its Technology Leadership Directorate. The role leads a multidisciplinary research team and develops policy recommendations to strengthen public-private partnerships, with exposure to national security strategy and policy-making.

The position is in-person at our Arlington headquarters, offering opportunities to collaborate with government officials, industry partners, and top experts on emerging technologies

Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in STEM field, international relations, security studies, political science, or a related discipline.
• 10-20 years of experience in technology and government policy research and analysis with team leadership.
• Deep expertise in technology policy, geopolitical assessments, and strategy development.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Director(s), Associate Director(s), and Research Assistants on technology leadership projects.
• Develop and direct research plans on strategic tech sectors and related data gathering.
• Collaborate with top experts and policymakers to evaluate the US innovation ecosystem.
• Deliver high-level briefings, reports, and presentations to executives and partners.
• Stay ahead of geopolitical developments and emerging tech trends to inform decisions.
• Foster partnerships with research orgs, universities, and industry experts.

Skills

Technology policy

Geopolitical analysis

Team leadership

Policy development

Strategic thinking

Education

Master’s or PhD in STEM/IR/Security Studies/Political Science

Job description

Founded by Dr. Eric Schmidt, the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) is a 501(c)3 private operating foundation tasked with making recommendations to strengthen America’s long-term global competitiveness for a future where artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies reshape our global strategic environment. The project is organized into three directorates - Global Partnerships, Technology Leadership, and AI Adoption. Each directorate will analyze AI and other emerging technologies, address how these technologies will reshape their field and produce detailed recommendations to ensure that America is organized to win the techno-economic competition.

The Technology Leadership Directorate is seeking a full-time Senior Director. As Senior Director, you will join a team focused on identifying emerging technologies, assessing global competitive landscapes, and developing policy recommendations to strengthen public-private partnerships. In addition, you will also supervise the implementation of several technology-focused programs, ranging from private roundtables to public summits and conferences. This role offers exposure to cutting-edge technologies, national security strategy, and the policy-making process.

SCSP offers a dynamic work environment, and each employee becomes an integral part of our team. This is an in-person position at our headquarters in Arlington, VA.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Director(s), Associate Director(s), and Research Assistant(s) in Technology Leadership research projects, including providing guidance and tasks focused on technology-related research projects, including comparative/net assessments, geopolitical analysis, and technological capabilities evaluations.
• Develop and direct the team’s implementation of research plans on strategic technology sectors and methods to gather and analyze relevant industry and government data, government policies , and emerging technology trends, and geopolitical issues.
• Collaborate closely with top experts, high-level executives, and senior policymakers to evaluate the effectiveness of the American innovation ecosystem and identify gaps relative to U.S. competitors and allies/partners.
• Deliver high-level briefings, reports, and presentations to communicate research findings and strategic recommendations to senior executives, government officials, and international partners.
• Stay at the forefront of global geopolitical developments, emerging technologies, and other advancements related to the panel’s work, providing timely and insightful analyses to inform strategic decision-making.
• Foster partnerships with leading research organizations, universities, and industry experts to enhance collaborative research efforts and stay ahead of evolving trends.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in STEM field, international relations, security studies, political science, or a related discipline.
• 10-20 years of experience in technology and government policy research and analysis, with a proven track record of leading large-scale research projects and a multidisciplinary team, with a focus on delivering impactful results.
• Deep expertise in technology policy, geopolitical assessments, and strategy development; specific understanding of the techno-economic competition (e.g., AI, chips, biotech) is essential.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and develop technology policies and strategies, with a deep understanding of international security dynamics and global geopolitical challenges.
• Previous experience in collaborating with government agencies, international organizations, academia, and industry partners is highly desirable.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical skills, and the ability to synthesize complex information into actionable insights for C-suite leadership and policymakers.
• Outstanding communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Excellent leadership and team management capabilities, including mentoring and developing staff members.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey a variety of concepts to diverse audiences.

$160,000 - $255,500 a year

This is an exempt position.