Job Overview

This job announcement will be accepting applications until 31 January 2025.

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is at the forefront of scientific and technological innovation, tackling the toughest challenges in science and engineering for the Department of the Air Force. The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is a Department of Defense (DoD) organization focused exclusively on accelerating the adoption of commercial technology to transform military capability and capacity, while growing the national security innovation base. As the Department's gateway to leading technology companies across the country, DIU is focused on rapid prototyping, fielding, and scaling of commercial solutions that can save lives, lead to new operational concepts, increase efficiency, and deter future conflict.

As part of DIU's Commercial Operations team, the Pacific Regional Director will play a pivotal role in building and maintaining DIU's regional presence in the Pacific in order to achieve DIU's core mission of being a robust national onramp for startups, non-traditional defense providers, and talent to contribute to the Department of Defense's (DoD) commercial innovation efforts. In this Director role, you will have the opportunity to liaise with commercial entities, including academia, venture incubators, and commercial accelerators in the region. You will also coordinate with other DoD innovation organizations operating within the region.

The Pacific Regional Director position is directly reportable to the National Defense Innovation OnRamp Director, and you will work closely with the Director of Talent Programs and Venture Programs along with other DIU leaders to strategically deploy these initiatives within the region.

Additional duties include, but are not limited to:

• Determine and allocate resources necessary to achieve regional objectives, and represent DIU at key national and regional events.

• Identify synergies between programs and regional priorities to optimize impact and outcomes.
  Lead a diverse team of contract personnel, assigning tasks, facilitating collaboration, and ensuring effective workload management.

• Developing and managing work schedules aligned with organizational priorities, reviewing work progress to ensure accuracy and compliance with policies and procedures.

• Provides guidance, counsel, and instructions to team members, fostering professional growth and addressing related matters in collaboration with Commercial Operations and Portfolio teams.

• Build, improve, and oversee processes to enable coordination on company outreach/relationship management with Company Engagement Director, Capital Director, and Programming.

• Act as a focal point for ensuring collaboration with other regional innovation entities, from within DoD (e.g. APEX Accelerators in Office of Small Business, AFWERX, NavalX and other sites) and outside DoD (e.g., Department of Commerce EDA Tech Hubs).

Telework

Yes, this position is eligible for telework opportunities; as determined by agency policy

Remote Work (CONUS)

Negotiable After Selection

Eligible for a Referral Bonus?

No

Required Qualifications

• US Citizenship
• Applicants must be able to obtain, or already have, and maintain a Top Secret (TS/SCI) security clearance.
• This position is a drug testing designated position. Position may be subject to random drug testing.
• Required to file an OGE Form 450, Confidential Disclosure Report, upon appointment and will be required to file annually
• Applicants must have at least one (1) year of specialized experience at the next lower grade, DR/DO-03/GS-13/14 or equivalent in other pay systems.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience producing high quality, shared and independent analytic research, writing, publication, and outreach; or expertise as a practitioner with at least ten years of relevant professional experience in research and outreach (demonstrated aptitude in collaboration across institutional boundaries).
• Experience in program management, including resource prioritization and budgeting and developing measures of effectiveness and efficiency.
• Experience providing analysis, policy, and technology support in the national security and/or intelligence communities.
• Combination of professional or educational experience that includes at least two of the following three areas: national security; academia (e.g., teaching or administration); venture community.
• Experience working with dual-use technology and national security policy communities.
• Broad knowledge of emerging national security needs and associated Science and Technology programs.
• Broad knowledge of academic research and commercial research and development relevant to emerging DOD capability needs.
• Recent experience in technology projects involving inter-agency, inter-departmental, and international partners.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including oral and written skills.

Additional Information

• This position is a term, flexible-renewable term appointment and may be extended as needed
• Incentives may or may not be offered
• Resumes must be in DD-MMM-YYYY format.

(Req #: 31708)

Series

1101

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) employs approximately 11,500 military, civilian and contractor personnel, and manages a $7 billion portfolio of investments. The lab supports external customers and partners with industry while investing in basic research, applied research and advanced technology development. As one integrated lab, AFRL seamlessly supports the Science & Technology needs of two services: the Air Force and the Space Force.