Director, Defense Research Enterprise

$180,359 - $221,900/Yr

Office Of The Secretary Of Defense - Alexandria, VA

Part-time,Full-time - Executive

Alexandria, VA

About the position

The Director, Defense Research Enterprise is a pivotal role within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. This position operates under the authority, direction, and control of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology Foundations. The Director is responsible for the programmatic oversight of the Department of Defense (DoD) in-house laboratories and programs, including the Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and the University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs). The incumbent will coordinate laboratory workforce and quality improvement initiatives, assess laboratory quality transformation alignment, and ensure compliance with statutes, regulations, and policies regarding the protection of human and animal research subjects. In this role, the Director will provide technical leadership and policy guidance across various domains. Key responsibilities include executive oversight of program oversight, science and engineering workforce enhancement initiatives, and efforts to improve the effectiveness of the defense laboratory systems. The Director will develop and implement a laboratory oversight system to ensure alignment with DoD strategic goals and transformational initiatives. Additionally, the role involves overseeing the development and implementation of laboratory workforce improvement initiatives, including compliance with congressional statutory provisions affecting DoD laboratories. The Director will also be tasked with developing metrics for assessing laboratory quality and providing guidance on strategies for enhancing the quality of DoD laboratories. This includes performing statutory regulatory functions and oversight regarding DoD research and training involving human and animal subjects, ensuring compliance with federal laws and regulations. The position requires maintaining technical currency and providing strategic oversight of Departmental investments and policies to advance designated technology areas relevant to the DoD, such as environmental sciences and medical research. The Director will ensure timely preparation of DoD directives, policies, regulations, and reports as required by law or for proper oversight of the Defense Laboratory system.

Responsibilities

• Provide executive oversight and coordination of all matters relating to program oversight and workforce enhancement initiatives.
• Develop and implement a laboratory oversight system to assess alignment with DoD strategic goals.
• Oversee the development and implementation of laboratory workforce improvement initiatives.
• Develop metrics for assessing laboratory quality and provide guidance on enhancement strategies.
• Perform statutory regulatory functions regarding research involving human and animal subjects.
• Maintain technical currency and provide strategic oversight of Departmental investments and policies.
• Ensure timely preparation of DoD directives, policies, regulations, and reports.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen to qualify for this position.
• Ability to obtain a Top Secret security clearance and access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement policy and evaluate legislation and executive orders.
• Broad knowledge of policy-making processes and effects on research operations.
• Experience in analysis, planning, and coordination of complex laboratory programs.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with high-level scientists, engineers, and managers.
• Familiarity with DoD strategic priorities and national security objectives.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package as a federal employee.
• Access to a range of benefits designed to support federal careers.