The Role
Serve as an Active Guard Reserve Joint Program Manager at DIU to accelerate rapid prototyping of defense capabilities. Conduct market research, liaise with Air Force Reserve and DIU leadership, coordinate contracts and AOR duties, perform technical reviews, and manage multiple concurrent projects. Advocate AF Reserve priorities, facilitate problem solving with agile/design-thinking, and support deployment and TDY-heavy operational requirements.
Summary Generated by Built In
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) supports the Department of War’s efforts to create and foster commercial partnerships within multiple innovation ecosystems across the United States. It is staffed by active-duty and reserve personnel, government civilians and contracted consultants.
This position will be in Washington DC.
*If interested, please apply through Talent Marketplace.*
DIU is looking for a Maj / O-4, AGR - 3 yrs term Joint Program Manager that will manage tasks associated with the rapid prototyping of new defense capabilities or concepts leveraging commercially-derived solutions from traditional and/or non-traditional sources of innovation. Serve the needs of the Department, Military Services and Defense Agencies by acting on critical capability gaps, deficiencies or offset-enabling concepts identified by DoW customers spanning the strategic to tactical level. Maintain a broad, current knowledge of ARC missions, organization, policies, and procedures and liaises with ARC advisors to ensure a cross-functional perspective is achieved on issues concerning employment of the AF Auxiliary capabilities in relation to the ARC. Accelerates innovation by performing market research in collaboration with the Commercial Operations team and acting on referrals to maximize the pool of qualified candidate companies for contract awards. Maintains workflow data to meet deadlines and established priorities. Responsive to user environment, concerns, and requirements. Keeps leadership informed. Performs other duties as assigned. Represents ARC priorities within DIU and acts as a liaison to Air Force and AF Reserve leadership. Coordinates with the Agreements Officer responsible for contracts and awards. Performs the duties of Agreements Officer Representative (AOR). Performs technical reviews and makes recommendations to continue, modify re-scope or terminate projects based on performance of or changes in Defense Partner customer needs. Facilitates problem solving using agile methodologies, design thinking, and collaboration. Plans programs and develops strategies. Advocates for the needs of the Air Force Reserve with DIU and DIU projects.
The Ideal Candidate Should Have
This position will be in Washington DC.
*If interested, please apply through Talent Marketplace.*
DIU is looking for a Maj / O-4, AGR - 3 yrs term Joint Program Manager that will manage tasks associated with the rapid prototyping of new defense capabilities or concepts leveraging commercially-derived solutions from traditional and/or non-traditional sources of innovation. Serve the needs of the Department, Military Services and Defense Agencies by acting on critical capability gaps, deficiencies or offset-enabling concepts identified by DoW customers spanning the strategic to tactical level. Maintain a broad, current knowledge of ARC missions, organization, policies, and procedures and liaises with ARC advisors to ensure a cross-functional perspective is achieved on issues concerning employment of the AF Auxiliary capabilities in relation to the ARC. Accelerates innovation by performing market research in collaboration with the Commercial Operations team and acting on referrals to maximize the pool of qualified candidate companies for contract awards. Maintains workflow data to meet deadlines and established priorities. Responsive to user environment, concerns, and requirements. Keeps leadership informed. Performs other duties as assigned. Represents ARC priorities within DIU and acts as a liaison to Air Force and AF Reserve leadership. Coordinates with the Agreements Officer responsible for contracts and awards. Performs the duties of Agreements Officer Representative (AOR). Performs technical reviews and makes recommendations to continue, modify re-scope or terminate projects based on performance of or changes in Defense Partner customer needs. Facilitates problem solving using agile methodologies, design thinking, and collaboration. Plans programs and develops strategies. Advocates for the needs of the Air Force Reserve with DIU and DIU projects.
The Ideal Candidate Should Have
- 5+ years of leadership experience over military forces desired with track record of seeking and excelling at roles above pay grade/expectation for rank. Operational combat experience and familiarity with tactical improvement processes desired. Knowledge of and experience working in the Joint community.
- TS/SCI
- Ability to manage multiple projects (often simultaneously) with varying timeline.
- Experience in current/past contingency operations.
- Innovation mindset – Able to be forward thinking to develop creative ways to solve problems.
- Strong communication skills (written/verbal)
- Ability to communicate effectively with sister components, COMCOMs and host nation military.
- Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
- Ability to collaborate across multiple layers of senor staff.
- Ability to organize, plan, control, schedule.
- Ability to go TDY multiple times per month is needed.
- Knowledge of the non-traditional commercial technology sector.
- Knowledge of the venture ecosystem of Silicon Valley and other innovation centers desired.
- Experience in autonomous systems or robotics is a bonus but not required.
- Adv degree and PME completed is desired.
Skills Required
- TS/SCI clearance
- Ability to go TDY multiple times per month
- Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Experience in current or past contingency operations
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with sister components, combatant commands, and host-nation military
- Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams
- Ability to collaborate across multiple layers of senior staff
- Ability to organize, plan, control, and schedule programs
- Knowledge of the non-traditional commercial technology sector
- Knowledge of and experience working in the Joint community
- Coordinates with Agreements Officer and performs Agreements Officer Representative (AOR) duties
- 5+ years leadership experience over military forces
- Operational combat experience and familiarity with tactical improvement processes
- Knowledge of the venture ecosystem (e.g., Silicon Valley)
- Experience in autonomous systems or robotics
- Advanced degree and Professional Military Education (PME) completed
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The Company
What We Do
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is a Department of War (DoD) organization dedicated to accelerating the adoption of commercial technology throughout the military. It serves as a bridge between the commercial technology industry and the defense establishment, focusing on rapid prototyping, fielding, and scaling of innovative solutions to solve national security problems and strengthen the American national security innovation base.
