THE INSTITUTION
The Institute for Defense Analyses, is a not-for-profit corporation that operates three Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) in the public interest: the Systems and Analyses Center, the Science and Technology Policy Institute, and the Center for Communications and Computing. IDA exists to promote national security, preserve the public welfare, and advance scientific learning by analyzing, evaluating, and reporting on matters of interest to the United States Government.
IDA’s government sponsors rely on the organization for dispassionate, fact-based, and scientifically rigorous research and advice to inform their decisions. Since 1956, IDA’s basic mission has remained unchanged – bring the best scientific, technical, and analytic talent to bear on issues critical to U.S. National security, in a research environment free of commercial or shareholder interests where objectivity and the public interest are foremost.
IDA’s FFRDCs:
The Systems and Analyses Center assists the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, and Defense Agencies, as well as other government agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), and the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), in addressing important national security issues, focusing particularly on those requiring scientific and technical expertise.
The Science and Technology Policy Institute provides rigorous and objective analysis for the formulation of national science and technology (S&T) policy, supporting the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the National Science Foundation, the National Science Board, and other offices and councils within the executive branch of the federal government.
The Center for Communications and Computing with offices in Princeton, New Jersey, La Jolla, California, and Bowie, Maryland performs fundamental research in support of the National Security Agency’s mission in cryptology including foreign signals intelligence and the security of information and communications of the U.S. Government as well as network security issues.
Located in Alexandria, Virginia, IDA has approximately 1400 staff and a yearly budget of $240 million.
BACKGROUND
The Vice President for Management is a key management role within IDA’s senior leadership team. The incumbent is retiring after a long and successful career with the organization and IDA is seeking a well-rounded business executive who will embrace the IDA culture and mission as her successor.
THE POSITION
Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Management is responsible and accountable for planning, directing, organizing and controlling the day-to-day operational activities and 180 person staff of the Directorate and for supporting the development and execution of broad financial and administrative policies and procedures.
Importantly, in addition to managing the administrative aspects of the role, the Vice President for Management will serve as the primary interface with IDA’s Center for Communications and Computing FFRDC and its Intelligence Community sponsor.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary responsibilities for the Vice President for Management include but are not limited to:
Implementing and coordinating strategies and operating practices (including budgets) to insure that operations effectively meet established objectives;
Maintaining the integrity of records, and the maintenance of appropriate controls;
Keeping the Board informed concerning matters within his/her areas of responsibility;
Serving as primary corporate interface with IDA’s Communications & Computing FFRDC and its sponsor;
Effectively representing IDA externally, both with sponsors and in relevant professional forums;
Assuming responsibility for ad hoc projects such as potentially serving as Project Manager for relocation of office space;
Directly supervising the Treasurer/Director of Finance, Director of Human Resources, Director of IT, General Counsel, and Manager, Corporate Communications; and
Serving as a key member of the executive leadership of IDA.
During the course of the first year, the Vice President of Management is expected to integrate into the organization and to gain the respect of the IDA staff.
THE CANDIDATE
Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree highly desirable.
Minimum 12 years’ experience in non-profit (including university), commercial or government institutions, including 8 years of increasing managerial responsibility.
Experience managing Finance, IT, and/or HR desirable.
Familiarity with, and understanding of, the research environment; experience with an FFRDC a strong plus.
Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of technical, highly-skilled staff, research and support clients, in a matrixed, collaborative and intellectually-challenging research environment.
Track record of developing and articulating corporate policies a definite plus.
Ability to travel on a periodic basis (approx. 10% time)
SECURITY CLEARANCE
U.S. citizenship subject to a government security investigation and must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI with full scope polygraph.