Director, Technology Leadership

Schmidt Entities

$90K — $169K *
Aerospace & Defense
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in STEM, international relations, security studies, political science, or related field (Master's or Ph.D. preferred)
  • 5 to 10 years of experience in defense research and analysis leading high-impact projects
  • Deep expertise in technology policy and geopolitical assessments; specific knowledge of techno-economic competition (AI, chips, biotech)
  • Strategic thinking and analytical skills for synthesizing complex information
  • Strong leadership and team management abilities, including mentoring roles
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences

Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage technology-related research projects, guiding Associate Directors and Research Assistants
  • Develop and implement research plans focused on strategic technology sectors and analysis methods
  • Utilize analytical tools to identify patterns and trends in technology-related data
  • Prepare comprehensive reports and presentations to communicate findings to senior officials
  • Provide leadership with updates and situational awareness to support mission completion
  • Identify, evaluate, and creatively solve research-related issues
  • Collaborate with SCSP staff on joint projects and engagements with stakeholders

Benefits

  • Dynamic work environment with integral team involvement
  • Exposure to cutting-edge technologies and national security strategy
  • Support for technology-focused programs including roundtables and conferences
  • Opportunities for mentorship and development in leadership roles
  • In-person position at headquarters in Arlington, VA
Full Job Description
The Technology Leadership Directorate is seeking a full-time Director. As 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 support 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 and/or manage research projects, including providing guidance and tasks to Associate Director(s) and Research Assistant(s), focused on technology-related research projects, including comparative/net assessments, geopolitical analysis, and technology capabilities evaluations.
  • Develop and implement research plans on strategic technology sectors and methods to gather and analyze relevant industry and government data, including government policies, emerging technology trends, and geopolitical issues.
  • Utilize analytical tools, data, and other relevant information to identify patterns, trends, and correlations in technology-related data, providing valuable insights to military and defense agencies.
  • Prepare comprehensive reports, briefings, and presentations to communicate research findings and strategic recommendations to senior officials, government stakeholders, and key decision-makers.
  • Provide SCSP leadership with status updates, plans of action, as well as providing situational awareness on developments affecting completion of the mission, while exercising considerable autonomy in carrying out his/her duties.
  • Think creatively and independently to identify, evaluate, and solve issues connected to the research.
  • Work collaboratively with other SCSP staff on joint projects, cross-cutting research issues, and in engagements with outside stakeholders.


Minimum Qualifications

  • A Bachelor's degree in a STEM field, international relations, security studies, political science, or a related discipline. A Master's or Ph.D. degree in one of the above fields is strongly preferred.
  • 5 to 10 years of experience in defense research and analysis, with a proven track record of leading high-impact projects.
  • Deep expertise in technology policy, geopolitical assessments, and strategy development; a specific understanding of the techno-economic competition (e.g., AI, chips, biotech) is essential.
  • Strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear and actionable insights for senior leadership and policymakers.
  • Strong leadership and/or team management abilities, including mentoring and developing the skills of Associate Director(s) and Research Assistant(s).
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey a variety of concepts to diverse audiences.


$90,000 - $169,500 a year

This is an exempt position.

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