Associate Director of External Relations

Associate Director of External Relations (ARO-22-1027-F):

Bowhead has partnered with the Army Research Office (ARO) in helping them identify an ARO Associate Director of External Relations. The Associate Director of External Relations will support the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM), Army Research Laboratory (ARL) initiative to create and strengthen networks that connect the DEVCOM ARL- with academia, industry, government, and non­governmental agencies to facilitate the exchange of scientific ideas, the production of knowledge, and effective technology transfer channels. This individual, when selected, would be an Associate Director of External Relations, as a federal employee.

The Associate Director of External Relations will play a leadership role and serve as a liaison to facilitate communication of DEVCOM ARL scientific priorities and business processes to students, teachers, and university faculty/administrators, as well as industry and non-governmental agency leaders regarding opportunities to collaborate with the Army, or DoD, that contribute to the science and technology ecosystem supporting the Soldier or our nation's capabilities, encouraging collaborative relations with Army scientists.

Responsibilities to include but not limited to:

• Conduct systematic, critical, and strategic analyses to identify and leverage university, college, public, and private sector expertise to advance scientific research in support of the Army mission by facilitating collaborations with external performers while ensuring effective stewardship of government resources. Identifying scientific gaps and opportunities in basic and applied science, as well as tracking trans­disciplinary trends in the broader national and international scientific research ecology that align with Army priorities. Interact with Army command leaders; active service officers, civilian Department of Defense (DoD) scientists, engineers, and administrators; leaders of administrations in academic, private sector organizations, not-for-profit agencies; and national and both domestic and international professional associations.

The position requires scientific and administrative skills to evaluate extramural research programs across ARO, including identifying opportunities for investment aligned with Army priorities and assessing the effectiveness of extramural scientific investments, including (but not limited to) the following tasks:

• Identify emerging patterns of public/private research business models with academic institutions of higher education (Rl, R2, HBCU/Mls (Foreign and Domestic)). Develop strategic and tactical recommendations for Army Extramural priorities to the ARO Director and Leadership Team to maximize Army investments. Work through The Government-University-Industry Research Roundtable and other similar university-based professional societies to include underrepresented groups, provide strategic insight to the ARO Director and Leadership Team on areas of research and STEM that have high scientific merit, excellent Army relevance, and high potential to transform Army capabilities and logistics. Work with the Chief, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer (CDEIO) of the Army Research Laboratory and with Army HBCU/MSI representatives to develop pilot initiatives, through ARO extramural investments, towards achieving the ARL vision of an ARL team that is both preeminent in talent and representative of a cross-section of the United States. Develop a University based "Vice President of Research Council" for quarterly meetings with the ARO Director and Leadership Team. Prepare reports summarizing Army research needs and Extramural opportunities for STEM investments for the ARO Director and Leadership Team. Meet with industry, academic, and government administrators across different agencies (e.g., OSD, DARPA, DTRA, NIST, NAS, AAU, APLU, SBA) to analyze and identify emerging research and collaborative opportunities; and develop strategic recommendations for ARO Director and leadership team. Meet with academic and industry funded recipients to assess and improve financial execution on existing ARO investments and communicate ARO award opportunities/requirements (including research protection requirements), reporting back the results of these meetings to the ARO Director and leadership team. Attend program and project review meetings at universities DEVCOM ARL, or other locations.

Requirements   

In accordance with Executive Order 14042: Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors, candidates should be aware that they may be required to have received or be willing to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by date of hire.

• PhD and 8+ years of relevant experience

• This will be at the GS -15 level

SECURITY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS: Must be able to obtain a security clearance at the Secret level (Possessing an active Secret clearance is preferred). US Citizenship is a requirement for a Secret clearance at this location.