Action Officer - Commercial Strategy

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.  

The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

The Acquisition and Technology Analysis Group within JOID specializes in the application of multi-disciplinary analytic skills to support multiple clients within the Department of Defense (DoD). These clients include the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD(R&E)), Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)), DARPA, the Joint Staff, and USINDOPACOM.  SPA provides critical decision support to enabling and executing a strategy of technological superiority and enabling the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled in evaluating military problems, identifying the driving factors, devising innovative approaches, collecting applicable data, developing necessary software tools, and performing thorough and timely assessments to inform technology and acquisition governance decisions to ensure U.S. military forces retain military superiority in the future.

SPA has an immediate need for an Action Officer to support DARPA's Commercial Strategy team onsite in Arlington, VA. 

DARPA’s Commercial Strategy Team applies an end-to-end approach to commercializing some of DARPA’s most impactful technologies. Working with DARPA’s top performers and researchers, and bringing in top entrepreneurs, venture and private investors, and other DoD and commercial experts and teams, we accelerate DARPA technologies to drive new products, services, and capabilities for the DoD and commercial markets for both economic and national security. DARPA has a 65-year history of bringing some of the top technical innovations to the world including the Internet, GPS, LEDs, self-driving cars, and more.

This role will serve as part of an elite team working with some of DARPA’s most brilliant PMs and performers, as well as world class commercial advisors, corporate leaders, private investors, the DoD, and other US Government Agencies on behalf of the Director’s Office (DIRO). Our mission is to accelerate the commercialization of some of our nation’s most critical technologies to advance DARPA’s mission: to pose and prevent strategic technological surprise.

The candidate will provide expert business, technology advancement, and commercialization support in a demanding and fast-paced professional environment. Primary objectives are to provide project management and coordination support to the Commercial Strategy Front Office and successfully serve DARPA’s mission. The successful candidate will serve as an action-oriented liaison with a commitment to advancing U.S. national and economic security. Work closely with the Front Office leadership to prioritize, communicate, and execute Commercial Strategy initiatives and special projects.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing comprehensive project management support to the Front Office including development of strategy, planning, and decision support documents.
• Executing commercialization projects and key initiatives to drive Commercial Strategy objectives.
• Engaging DIRO, performers, technical offices, DARPA Commercial Accelerators, entrepreneurs, investors, academia, DoD, and other government partners to strengthen relationships, advance initiatives, and accelerate commercialization projects.
• Coordinating and developing executive level briefings to a wide range of government, corporate, and investor audiences; assisting in integrating workstreams, coordinating priorities, and facilitating meetings.
• Tracking and reporting Commercial Strategy activities, processes, and progress.

Required:

• Active Secret clearance with TS/SCI eligibility
• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of relevant experience staffing and advising DoD/IC, Cabinet, or Executive Office officials on defense, dual-use technology, and national security matters
• Demonstrated success developing action plans, presentations, and background materials
• Prior experience facilitating meetings on behalf of senior executives and coordinating actions and taskings
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work in a dynamic professional services environment
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and strong PowerPoint skills

Desired: 

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• Graduate degree (MBA preferred)
• Strong knowledge of DoD organizational structure and processes
• Understanding of startup environments and the private capital ecosystem
• Prior DoD transition or dual-use commercialization experience for DoD/IC customers