Senior Advisor - Strategic Initiatives Job Listing at SPA in Arlington, VA (Job ID 2024-19204)

Description

Qualifications

Required:

• Published academic with PhD in biology, chemistry, or a related scientific field.
• Able to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret clearance.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in strategy development and stakeholder engagement across academic, commercial Science and Technology (S&T) sector, and U.S. Government.
• Experience working on Research and Development (R&D) or Science and Technology (S&T) portfolios.
• Expertise in policy and broader governance topics related to biotechnology research and development.
• Exceptional team player with excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to multi-task and reprioritize in a fast-paced environment.
• Able to provide surge support to achieve mission requirements.
• Willing to travel (estimated 10-20%).
• Willing to be onsite at DARPA HQ most of the time.

Desired:

• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Proactive and self-motivated with a strong sense of ownership and responsibility.

The Biological Technologies Office (BTO) at DARPA is seeking a highly motivated and skilled candidate for the position of Senior Advisor - Strategic Initiatives. This role provides leadership and support to the Office Director (OD) and Deputy Director (DD), focusing on long-term strategic initiatives and stakeholder engagement. They will play a critical role in developing and executing the multi-year strategic plan for the BTO, ensuring alignment with DARPA's mission and goals. Key responsibilities include:

Strategic Planning and Execution:

• Collaborate with the OD, DD, Lead Technical SETA, and other senior leaders to develop and implement the BTO's long-term strategic plan. Specifically, focus on initiatives related to the design of infrastructure (digital, physical, and social/cultural) enabling foundational biotechnology research and development capabilities and U.S. security and competitiveness, including biological data as a strategic asset, ensuring alignment with DARPA's overall mission and objectives.
• Identify and analyze emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges in the biological and technological domains related to the focus above to inform strategic decision-making; translate relevant elements of BTO's strategic vision related to the focus above into actionable plans and initiatives.

Strategic Analysis and Advising:

• Provide strategic advice and thought leadership to the OD, DD, and other senior leaders on a wide range of topics related to BTO's mission and objectives.
• Conduct analyses of relevant complex scientific, technological, and programmatic issues in conjunction with the front office's science team and Intelligence Analyst to inform strategic decision-making and provide recommendations to BTO leadership.
• Stay abreast of relevant policies, regulations, and governance frameworks that impact BTO's operations and research activities, and advise leadership on compliance and risk management strategies.
• Provide guidance on BTO's portfolio of projects ensuring they align with the office's long-term objectives and priorities.
•  

Coordination and Liaison

• Serve as a key liaison between BTO and external stakeholders, prioritizing interactions with:
• DoD services and agencies (Priority 1); Industrial and academic partners (Priority 2); Interagency partners (e.g., HHS, IC, others) (Priority 3).
• Facilitate collaboration and partnerships to advance strategic initiatives with the legislative branch as needed.
•  

Strategic Partnerships and Outreach

• Identify, cultivate, and manage strategic partnerships and collaborations with key external stakeholders, including other government agencies, academic institutions, industry partners, and international entities.
• Develop and implement outreach and engagement strategies to enhance the BTO's visibility, reputation, and influence within the scientific and technological communities.
•  

Strategic Resource Allocation and Management

• Advise the OD and DD on the strategic allocation of BTO's resources, including budget, personnel, and infrastructure, to ensure alignment with long-term objectives and priorities.
• Collaborate with the Tactical Action Officer to develop and implement resource optimization and efficiency improvement strategies.
• Monitor and assess the performance and impact of BTO's investments and make recommendations for adjustments as needed.
•  

Strategic Communications and Reporting

• Advise the design and implementation of BTO's strategic communications plan, ensuring effective and consistent messaging across all channels and audiences.
• Collaborate with the Tactical Action Officer and other staff to help prepare high-level strategic documents, such as annual reports, strategic plans, and project summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
• Engage with DARPA's Public Affairs Office to manage BTO's media relations and external communications, ensuring alignment with the office's strategic objectives and messaging.
•