Associate Director - Research, Defense Industrial Base Initiative

About the Opportunity

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. 

Job Summary

The Associate Director for Research at the Defense Industrial Base Institute will provide strategic planning, program development, sponsor relationship management, compliance oversight, and team leadership to help to execute the Institute’s current research funded portfolio projects, working alongside the Sr. Director for Research in the continuous growth and development of the DIBI core research team, its federally funded projects program, and project management spanning multiple DoD contracts. Based in Washington, DC or Boston, MA, the Associate Director is responsible for guiding a complex and geographically dispersed portfolio of Department of Defense (DoD) and other federally funded research initiatives.

Work with DIBI’s staff, next generation leaders of undergraduate and graduate students, national and international DIBI consortium academic partners, and DIBI senior leadership team, to provide recommendations and execution plans for addressing the research program’s near-term and long-term goals, to include the Rapid Solution Teams. Direct the day-to-day research operations of the team and provide research program oversight of Rapid Solution teams. Work with the Institutes development team and other academic partners to pursue and submit new research proposals that support DIBI’s academic and research mission.

Oversee a geographically dispersed portfolio of programs and projects including oversight of research staff to support tracking cost, schedule, performance, and risk; oversight of logistics of research meetings/workshops/sessions as part of the program execution while working with outreach team; and with DIBI finance team and NU RES on post contract award requirements including proposals, tracking, processing, and other required technical project submissions to sponsors. The role encompasses strategic planning, program development, sponsor relationship management, compliance oversight, and team leadership

Minimum Qualification

Knowledge and skills required for this position are typically acquired through the completion of a Master’s degree is , preferably a PhD.; with 7+ years of experience in academic research.

• Security Clearance Preference
• Ability to travel as required
• PMP or PgMP certification; by exception relevant practical work experience can meet this requirement.
• Solid knowledge base of DoD and IC contract management, financial management, contracts regulations.
• Strong computer and IT knowledge and skills, especially in MS Office suite products, and ability to learn new programs/systems with ease. 
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple direct reports and activities simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently to meet milestones, action items, and quality expectations
• Excellent communication skills with a customer (internal and external) service focus; highly organized and detail oriented; and ability to problem solve effectively. 
• Seven to nine years of successful program/project management experience, with three to five plus years in a DoD and/or IC research environment, leading programs / projects with budgets valued over $10M.
• Ability to supervise and mentor staff.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic, and "startup-like" environment.
• Flexible, creative thinker, open to new ideas and able to quickly adapt to changing priorities.

Key Accountabilities & responsibilities :

1) Strategic Oversight and Program Management of DIBI’s Research Portfolio

• Working alongside Sr. Director for Research and Founding Director, help to lead and manage DIBI’s research portfolio, ensuring alignment with national defense priorities and compliance with federal guidelines.
• Guide the strategic design and execution of research programs; set priorities, monitor milestones, and ensure deliverables are achieved on time and within scope.
• Provides program and portfolio management for multiple complex program portfolios.
• Create systems, organize, and manage program milestones, deliverables, and timelines for all active research
• Oversee the development and submission of proposals and budgets for DoD and other federal funding opportunities.
• Conduct in-depth analysis on projects and manage cost working alongside Director for Finance.
• Maintains schedules, and performance and provides reporting to funding agencies as required by awards working alongside NU RES and DIBI Director of Finance on submissions.
• Plans and manages research schedules and monitors programs from initiation to closeout; overseeing two sr. research coordinators to support.
• Assist with proposals, budgets, and other information gathering for contract submissions and ensure all contractual elements and requirements are met.
• Serves as the subject matter expert concerning DoD acquisitions, contracts, program, and financial management.
• Working alongside DIBI Director of Finance, collect data and information in response to NU-RES inquiries and requests over the life of the funding.
• Serve as a key advisor to the Sr. Director of Research and DIBI leadership on research trends, funding strategy, and operational performance.
• Represent DIBI research activities to senior-level government officials, sponsors, and partners with Founding Director and Sr. Director for Research.
• Travel as required to support program and project activities.

2) Mentoring and Developing Research students and Research Support Staff

• Provide directives for Institute CORE Research Professors/Professors-of-the-Practice and Program/project/operation coordinators.
• Provide supervisory performance assessments for annual reviews by the Sr. Director for Research.
• Provide mentoring to all pre docs, post docs, research staff, undergraduate and graduate students, and co op students under research arm of DIBI.
• Directly Supervise and mentor the following positions: Sr. Research Program Coordinator, Sr. Research Operations Coordinator, Data Scientist, Sr.Program Coordinator

3) Team Leadership, communication, and Special Projects

• Working alongside the Senior Director for Research and the Sr. Director for Outreach in developing and implementing research and communication strategies for all rapid solution teams.
• Working with Rapid Solution team PIs, work alongside Sr. Director for Public Outreach and their team in content that highlights DIBI's work and engages key stakeholder audiences.
• Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders, including program officers, researchers, and other DOD entities, to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing. 
• Execute various stakeholder engagement projects and initiatives in accordance with DIBI needs and direction from the Senior Director for Research
• Support cross-functional collaboration across Northeastern University, the institute and with university partners.
• Identify opportunities to enhance research development efforts through emerging technologies and best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the DIBi leadership.

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.