Senior International Relations Strategy SME

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as a senior strategic advisor supporting the USSOCOM J3 International Division and executive leadership.
• Develop and execute international relations strategies that strengthen multinational SOF partnerships and advance USSOCOM strategic objectives.
• Support Commander’s Action Group (CAG) activities by coordinating strategic-level engagements, executive initiatives, and senior leader priorities.
• Develop executive correspondence, strategic plans, white papers, speeches, briefing materials, decision memorandums, reports, and communication products for General Officers, Flag Officers, and Senior Executive Service (SES) leaders.
• Career Development and Training
• Analyze global security environments, international relationships, and emerging strategic issues to provide recommendations supporting senior leadership decision-making.
• Develop business and communication strategies aligned with USSOCOM priorities and international engagement objectives.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration among military, civilian, interagency, and multinational stakeholders to ensure synchronized planning and execution.
• Support policy development, organizational initiatives, and strategic planning efforts that improve international collaboration and mission effectiveness.
• Prepare executive-level assessments, presentations, and decision support products for high-visibility engagements and senior leadership forums.
• Capture lessons learned and best practices to support organizational knowledge management and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with Department of Defense policies, security requirements, and strategic guidance.

Qualifications

• Clearance Requirement: Active Top Secret Clearance with SCI eligibility required.
• Education: Master's degree in International Security Studies.
• Experience (Required): Minimum of ten (10) years of professional experience supporting international relations, strategic planning, executive advisory services, or national security initiatives. Recent experience (within the last three years) demonstrating successful development, coordination, and execution of strategic-level engagements while serving on a Commander’s Action Group (CAG) supporting a Combatant Command or four-star headquarters. Minimum of one (1) year of recent experience supporting strategic-level engagements as a Commander’s Action Group member or Political Advisor at a Combatant Command (COCOM) or Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC). Minimum of three (3) years of experience applying analytical and communication skills to prepare executive-level written products, strategic assessments, and briefings for General Officers, Flag Officers, or Senior Executive Service (SES) leaders. Minimum of three (3) years of recent experience developing business strategies and strategic communication plans that support organizational objectives and executive decision-making. Demonstrated experience advising senior military or government leadership on international relations, strategic initiatives, or organizational priorities.
• Technical Knowledge: International relations and strategic engagement. Commander’s Action Group (CAG) operations and executive support. Combatant Command and Theater Special Operations Command organizational structures. Strategic planning and organizational strategy development. Executive communications and strategic messaging. Business strategy and organizational transformation. Executive correspondence, briefing development, and decision support. Department of Defense planning processes and national security strategy. Multinational collaboration and interagency coordination. Organizational analysis, strategic assessment, and performance improvement.
• Skills: Exceptional strategic thinking and executive advisory capabilities. Outstanding executive writing, editing, and presentation skills. Strong understanding of international relations, national security, and multinational military operations. Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities. Proven ability to develop strategic plans, executive communications, and high-level decision support products. Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills across Department of Defense, interagency, and international organizations. Ability to manage multiple complex initiatives in fast-paced, high-visibility environments. Professional judgment, diplomacy, and discretion when handling highly sensitive and classified information. Ability to influence, collaborate, and build consensus among diverse senior stakeholders. Commitment to innovation, mission excellence, and continuous improvement.