Engagement Director

Engagement Director (TS Clearance)Washington, DC Metro | Director Level | Frequent Travel | Active Top Secret Clearance Required | Permanent PlacementMy client is an established government services firm that's growing its Department of War practice. They're looking for a Director-level strategic thinker: someone who can look at a complex defense supply chain, see what really matters, set the direction, and turn it into action senior defense leaders will back.What you'd be doingYou'd start on a high-priority DoW effort focused on the unmanned systems (drone) industrial base, working with senior leaders, government stakeholders, and industry experts. You'd take on questions like these: Where are the supplier and component risks? Where is manufacturing capacity falling short? Who are the alternative sources? How do we speed up production?From there, you'll:Set the strategic point of view and lay out clear courses of action for senior defense leadersLead executive meetings, expert panels, and decision forumsBuild a network of experts across defense manufacturing, supply chain, components, and investmentShape a new industrial base capability, including the strategy, the offering, and how it growsSpot follow-on opportunities and build lasting relationships across government and industryTravel: frequent, including Ft. Meade, Ft. Belvoir, the Pentagon, Fayetteville NC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Tinker AFB, and Colorado Springs.What you bringAn active Top Secret clearance (required)10+ years of professional experience4+ years of Director-level experience in strategy, supply chain, manufacturing, aerospace and defense, acquisition, or the defense industrial baseA strategic mind: you can break down ambiguous, technical problems and turn them into a clear direction and real recommendationsExecutive presence, and experience advising and influencing senior leadersStrong knowledge of the defense industrial base, supply chain resilience, manufacturing, A&D, or emerging defense techA track record of building something new, like a capability, program, team, or businessA bachelor's degreeNice to have: UAS, autonomous systems, or munitions experience; supplier mapping or sub-tier supply chain analysis; Palantir Foundry, JUPITER, or BLADE; a network across defense manufacturers and suppliers.