Director of the National Security Institute for Innovation (NSII)

Job Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Research seeks a Director of the National Security Institute for Innovation (NSII) to provide strategic leadership for the University’s expanding portfolio of defense-related research, innovation, workforce development, and external partnerships that support U.S. national and global security priorities.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Define and implement a cohesive vision and strategic roadmap for UConn’s national security initiatives.
• Align UConn’s national security research and innovation efforts with UConn’s institutional priorities, public mission, and economic development goals and the United States’ national security needs.
• Identify emerging security challenges and position UConn as a trusted, mission-focused partner to government and industry.
• Advise UConn on workforce development opportunities related to the national security sector.
• Foster a collaborative, interdisciplinary culture across colleges, centers, and external partners.
• Cook up national security efforts across UConn to ensure alignment, efficiency, and strategic impact.
• Provide leadership, oversight, and supervision of both professional and administrative staff across multiple teams.

Partnerships & External Engagement

• Build and sustain strong partnerships with: DOD and Military Services, Intelligence Community agencies, DHS and other federal and state agencies, national laboratories, Congressional staff, think tanks, industry and defense contractors; peer universities and consortia, etc.
• Serve as a key liaison for national security research and collaboration.
• Establish and engage UConn advisory boards composed of senior leaders from defense, intelligence, industry, academia, and alumni.
• Elevate UConn’s reputation and national visibility in relation to national security innovation to grow UConn’s federal advisory role and influence.

Funding, Grants & Growth

• Coordinate efforts to secure external funding, including federal research grants, cooperative agreements, and industry-sponsored research.
• Advance strategic initiatives that expand UConn’s role in applied research, technology transition, and workforce development.
• Collaborate with research development, advancement, and commercialization teams to maximize impact and sustainability.
• Initiate and support large-scale federal funding strategies.

Policy, Advisement & Thought Leadership

• Support the development of policy-relevant research, white papers, and briefings for decision-makers.
• Define and drive NSII’s research agenda aligned with national security priorities (e.g., supply chain resilience, defense innovation, emerging technologies).
• Collaborate with UConn’s Governmental Relations and federal priorities staff.
• Represent UConn at national forums, conferences, and professional organizations.
• Translate research into actionable policy recommendations.

Research & Development

• Promote and support interdisciplinary research in areas critical to national security, including: Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and Analytics, Cybersecurity and Resilient Systems, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, Aerospace, Quantum computing, Autonomy and Space Systems, Energy Systems and Infrastructure Resilience, Health Security, Biosecurity, Human Performance, Supply Chain Optimization, etc.
• Connect fundamental research with applied, dual-use, and translational opportunities.

Workforce Development

• Strengthen pipelines for students, veterans, and working professionals into defense, intelligence, cyber, and engineering fields.
• Coordinate workforce initiatives aligned with federal and industry needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree and eight (8) years of related experience, or Bachelor’s degree and ten (10) years of related experience.
• Significant leadership experience in national security–related environments, including government, military, defense, intelligence, cybersecurity, or applied research organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more national security domains.
• Proven experience building and managing complex, cross-sector partnerships.
• Strong record of strategic planning, innovation, and team development.
• Experience securing or managing externally funded research programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Senior military or government leadership experience (e.g., retired General/Flag Officer, SES, or equivalent).
• Experience working with classified, controlled, or sensitive research environments.
• Possesses secret security clearance.
• Leadership experience at an R1 research university or national laboratory.
• Established national reputation and professional network within the defense and security community.
• Experience in workforce development, professional education, or executive training.