Director of National Security Programs **Current MSU Employees Only**

Montana State University, United States

Updated: 1 day ago
Location: Bozeman, MONTANA
Deadline: ;

Position Details
Position Information


Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26261
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Al Deibert
aldeibert@montana.edu
Classification Title Managing Director
Working Title Director of National Security Programs **Current MSU Employees Only**
Brief Position Overview
The Institute for National Security Research and Education’s Director of National Security Programs (DNSP) will be responsible for providing leadership and direction for INSRE’s expanding portfolio of research, innovation, and partnership initiatives. The DNSP will take over leadership of INSRE’s current Defense Innovation Unit OnRamp Hub, the NRO Ardent Forge Partnership Intermediary, the DOD Mentor/Protégé Program, the MilTech DHS Partnership Intermediary, the Applied Research Lab, and the CHIPs program. The Director will work with INSRE staff, VPRED, and MSU’s academic programs to develop new initiatives focused on national security. The Director is a key member of the INSRE leadership team and works collaboratively with the National Security Hub Lead, Executive Director, Senior National Security Advisor, MilTech Director, and the Community Relations Lead to fulfill INSRE’s three goals: Research Support and Expansion, Student Experience, and Community and Industry Engagement.
Position Number 4C7898
Department Inst National Security Rrsch & Ed
Division Office of Research and Economic Development
Appointment Type Professional
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Exempt
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Campus

Position Details


General Statement
This position develops and implements strategies that enhance the growth of classified research operations at the ARL, and operation of Ardent Forge, DIU, and the Mentor/Protégé program, and works directly with other MSU programs such as SECL, Q-Core, DOE initiatives, and Spectrum Labs. This individual will remain a primary point of contact and resource for ARL occupants in the facility, MSU faculty, and others interacting with ARL and MSU classified research; will directly apply for classified research with MSU as the prime; coordinate with the MSU Innovation Campus and MSUIC tenants; work with current and additional MSU faculty and staff to engage in classified research directly and indirectly; coordinate with regional academic partners in classified research; and coordinate student engagement with all previously mentioned partners.
Duties and Responsibilities
  • Work directly with local and regional business partners to build a culture of sponsored classified research and to engage in such research. Partner on classified research submissions and support budgets, application language, and MSU faculty and staff engagement with local and regional businesses.
  • Work with additional MSU centers, institutes, colleges, and departments on classified research engagement. Work directly with researchers on budgets, supporting infrastructure, reporting, personnel, OSP, MSU Purchasing, and other resources to submit applications and execute research.
  • Provide strategic direction, leadership, operations, planning, and management of INSRE’s DIU OnRamp Hub, Ardent Forge, Mentor/Protégé, ARL, and CHIPs.
  • Proactively work with INSRE, MSU, state, and regional industry leadership to create new contract mechanisms and programs for MSU’s INSRE.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with sponsors, federal agencies, industry partners, academic collaborators, and other stakeholders involved with MSU’s national security research.
  • Create student experience opportunities across all programs and industry partnerships, including internships, jobs, guest speakers, exercises, capstone projects, classified research, and other opportunities to maximize the MSU student experience while enrolled at MSU.
  • Work with regional academic partners to expand knowledge of and engagement with classified research.
  • Monitor and evaluate research and industry trends to inform potential growth opportunities.
  • Work closely with the MSU FSO to ensure ARL compliance with applicable security directives.
  • Engage with the MSU Innovation Campus and other academic programs to raise awareness of ARL’s classified research capabilities.
  • Actively develop and cultivate effective relationships with DOD, civilian agencies, industry, academia, federal, state, and local economic development organizations, as well as MSU employees and departments, as needed to support the overall goals and success of the ARL.
  • Work closely with INSRE and MilTech’s Associate Director of Operations to maximize support for national security related programs, unburden researchers, improve research leaders’ and programs’ relationships with sponsors, and integrate with MSU’s HR, Purchasing, Business Office, Legal, Facilities, and Shared Services programs.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Must be a current MSU-Bozeman employee, initially hired through a competitive search.
  • Bachelor’s degree with experience supervising funding, staff, strategy, facilities, and customers.
  • Current Top Secret security clearance, or the ability to obtain one.
  • Demonstrated understanding of DSCA requirements and procedures for classified facilities and programs.
  • A proven track record of being a sought-after team member on professional teams pursuing new customers, deliverables, and opportunities.
  • Ability to work effectively on teams composed of individuals with various backgrounds.
  • Understanding of MSU, the State of Montana, and DOD policies, procedures, and requirements.
    		•
    Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
  • Master’s degree.
  • Experience as a commissioned officer and/or leader within the DOD or DOD-related programs.
  • Experience at Montana State University, with an understanding of relevant policies, budgets, and processes.
    		•
    The Successful Candidate Will
    • Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
    • Prompt and thorough communications about complex procedural and technical topics.
    Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
    Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR §120.15, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).

    This position may require the ability to obtain a Security Clearance, pass the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Fitness requirements to obtain DHS security credentials, and/or meet other government-defined restrictions appropriate for work level and access. Other security-related requirements will include receiving favorable background checks by state and federal agencies pursuant to federal law and regulations.
    This position requires ability to travel via all modes of transport when necessary to interact with DOD and/or DHS customers, including travel throughout the Continental U.S. as well as Alaska, Hawaii, U.S territories and possessions, and possibly other worldwide locations.
    This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
    Physical Demands
    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
    This position has supervisory duties? Yes

    Posting Detail Information


    Number of Vacancies 1
    Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search
    Position End Date (if temporary)
    Open Date
    Close Date
    Applications will be:
    Screening of applications will begin on February 3, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
    Special Instructions
    This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
    EEO Statement
    Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
    In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.