Director, Security & Resiliency

Director, Security & Resiliency
Location: Dallas-Fort Worth, TX (hybrid) | Reports to: Sr. Director of Programs | Compensation: $105,000 to $120,000

About MassChallenge
MassChallenge is the global network for innovators who are working to solve massive challenges. We connect startups, experts, corporations, and communities to grow and transform businesses and economies. Our mission is to equip bold entrepreneurs to disrupt the status quo and create meaningful change. Our mission is BIG, and thus we are a team that gives 100% every day. Our values ensure that we stay true to our mission and our core beliefs.

About the Security & Resiliency Portfolio
MassChallenge’s Security & Resiliency (S&R) portfolio supports dual-use startups building technologies that strengthen national security, defense, and the resilience of critical systems. The portfolio connects founders with government, defense, corporate, investor, and research partners, and includes:

• NATO DIANA: MassChallenge operates a U.S.-based accelerator site for NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, delivering the DIANA curriculum to cohorts of allied dual-use startups.
• Air Force Labs: Delivered in partnership with Hanscom Air Force Base, Air Force Labs supports AFWERX Phase I SBIR awardees with high relevance to Air Force Program Executive Offices through their Phase I period of performance, increasing their likelihood of transitioning to Phase II.
• Traction Security & Resiliency: A MassChallenge Traction program for growth-stage S&R startups, with programming that spans Boston and Dallas, including a Dallas Midpoint at Pegasus Park.
• Additional dual-use programs, events, and partner engagements across the defense and security innovation ecosystem.

MassChallenge is excited to be seeking a Director, Security & Resiliency, based in Dallas-Fort Worth, to lead delivery of this portfolio and grow our security and dual-use presence in Texas. If you have the skills we are seeking, we want to talk to you, so go ahead and apply to this role.

Why You Should Join Us
MassChallenge was just named the #2 accelerator in the U.S. and #1 in Massachusetts by TIME and Statista, with 85% of the ranking driven by feedback from the founders we serve. That puts us among the very best in the country. It also gives us a new target. We are building on that recognition, growing what works, and raising our ambitions for what MassChallenge can do next. If you are looking for a place where there is real energy behind the work and plenty left to build, we want to talk to you.

Position Summary
The Director, Security & Resiliency will be responsible for the successful delivery and execution of MassChallenge’s Security & Resiliency portfolio, including NATO DIANA, Air Force Labs, Traction Security & Resiliency, and additional dual-use programs. The Director will own program quality and outcomes across the portfolio, lead the S&R program delivery team, and serve as a trusted relationship manager for government, defense, and corporate partners.

This role will dedicate approximately 75% of its time to portfolio delivery and team leadership, ensuring startups and stakeholders receive the tools, resources, and support needed for success. About 25% of its time will be focused on partner relationship management, ecosystem engagement, and network building, with a particular focus on growing the Dallas-Fort Worth and broader Texas defense and security innovation community.

The ideal candidate will be a relationship-driven program leader with a strong network across the defense and security innovation ecosystem, a working knowledge of DoD innovation and acquisition pathways, and the operational discipline to run multiple concurrent programs with a small team. As a natural convener, this individual will bring together founders, government and defense partners, investors, and industry stakeholders to drive program impact.

Location
This Director will be based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and is expected to commute reliably within the region as required to successfully deliver the portfolio. Occasional work after hours will be necessary to support the execution of programs and other security-focused events. Travel is estimated at approximately 20%, including quarterly travel to Boston, Washington, DC, and other program and partner sites, with occasional international travel.

What You’ll Do

Program Management

• Lead end-to-end delivery of the S&R portfolio, which may include NATO DIANA, Air Force Labs, and Traction Security & Resiliency, from program design and startup recruitment through curriculum delivery, in-person convenings, and finale events
• Represent MassChallenge with stakeholders such as NATO DIANA, the U.S. Air Force, the Department of Defense, and other program partners to establish clear avenues of communication and ensure quality control of program delivery
• Deliver dual-use curriculum elements as required by partners, and ensure contractual deliverables, timelines, and reporting requirements are met
• Own the development and collection of key performance metrics and partner reporting (for example, cohort engagement and outcomes such as SBIR/STTR progression, contracts, and funding) to measure success and implement adaptations for future iterations
• Contribute to broader organizational initiatives and support additional accelerator programs as needed

Ecosystem Development

• Serve as MassChallenge’s recognized voice in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas defense and security innovation ecosystem, representing the organization at industry events, panels, and partner convenings
• Build and maintain a network of government innovation officials, defense primes, investors, research institutions, and dual-use founders that MassChallenge can draw on for deal flow, mentorship, and partnership opportunities
• Recruit and onboard experts, evaluators, mentors, and speakers in partnership with the Partnerships and Network teams
• Serve as a trusted relationship manager with program partners, and identify opportunities to renew, expand, or launch new S&R programs alongside the Partnerships team

Team Empowerment

• Manage the S&R program delivery team, setting priorities, coaching, and providing regular and direct feedback
• Add to collective knowledge and best practices on dual-use startup acceleration and government transition
• Be a collaborative colleague across the Programs, Partnerships, Network, and Marketing teams nationally
• Support the greater MassChallenge program execution team as needed

What You Bring

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree
• 7+ years of experience in project or program management
• Experience in accelerator operations, recruitment, and supporting startups or small businesses
• Knowledge of the U.S. defense ecosystem and acquisition practices, including programs such as SBIR/STTR, AFWERX, or DIU
• Record of strong business skills, leadership, people management, strategic thinking, and sound judgment
• Willingness and ability to engage government, defense, business, civic, and academic leaders in networking settings
• Experience managing international cohorts or working with government agency partners is a plus

Who You Are

• You have 7+ years of work experience and a specific skill set in program management, operations, or partnerships
• You have a network across the defense and security innovation community, ideally including Texas, and you know how to activate it on behalf of a program
• You can run several programs at once and thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• You are capable of setting priorities and goals for others, removing barriers to success, coaching, and enabling growth and career development
• You can navigate ambiguity, changing priorities, and multiple government, international, and corporate stakeholders with diplomacy
• You are comfortable representing an organization publicly, on stage, on panels, and in one-on-one conversations with senior leaders
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Previous accelerator management experience and knowledge of the dual-use innovation ecosystem are ideal

Who We Are
At MassChallenge, we:

• Help entrepreneurs build the next generation of transformational businesses by connecting them with the resources, partnerships, and communities that help them launch, grow, and scale their startups
• Help our partners build, grow, and evolve their corporate innovation practices
• Leverage the power of entrepreneurship to strengthen global innovation ecosystems

Our Core Values

• Founder Mindset: Optimism, Tenacity, Love the Problem
• Connect and Collaborate: Empathy, Inclusion, Fun, Build Community, Connect the Dots
• Progress over Perfection: Build on Experience, Fail Fast, Demonstrate Traction

Compensation

• MassChallenge offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment
• Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with skills and experience
• For this position, the base salary range is $105,000 to $120,000
• Internal equity considerations and the average salary of the peer range will be reviewed before making a final offer

Equal Opportunity Employer
MassChallenge is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We seek individuals from a broad variety of backgrounds with varying levels of experience who have a desire to do meaningful work. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote regardless of race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.