Senior Resident Fellow, Spacepower Studies

About the role

The Mitchell Institute, an affiliate of the Air & Space Forces Association (AFA), is seeking a Senior Resident Fellow, Spacepower Studies. This position is part of the Mitchell Institute Spacepower Advantage Center of Excellence (MI-SPACE).

Responsibilities

• Oversee and assess research initiatives for the Mitchell Institute (MI-SPACE) (approximately 65% of effort)
• Provide executive input on strategy and assist in developing resources to support Mitchell Institute research priorities.
• Lead and manage the requisite research to facilitate bodies of work developed by Mitchell Institute.
• Draft reports, opinion pieces, and issue briefings regarding space and national security topics; contribute to those written by colleagues in Mitchell Institute.
• Author and publish in relevant and prestigious journals, websites, and other mediums.
• Engage defense officials, Congress, the broader policy and budget community, and reporters to advance research objectives and findings.
• Provide data to facilitate broader Mitchell Institute and Air & Space Force Association strategic planning, event coordination, budget planning, communications efforts, and general enterprise cooperation.
• Seek business opportunities for broader Mitchell Institute program portfolio.
• Develop and promote the profile and contacts of Mitchell Institute, AFA, and specific research bodies of work to further revenue and growth.
• Maintain necessary professional networks to facilitate issue expertise, subject matter currency, subject matter expert access, fundraising capability, and general mission execution.
• Support Mitchell Institute program events (approximately 5% of effort)
• Partner with the Mitchell Institute Operations Team and AFA Communications Team to facilitate event logistical arrangements.
• Aid in developing event strategy and tactics; support individual event goals and overall standards of quality are met.
• Serve as a key point of contact during events to support speakers and attendees.
• Participate and assist in executing workshops, tabletop exercises tied to research projects, forums, and dinners.
• Be willing to host our digital events as needed (Schriever Spacepower Series, Aerospace Advantage, etc.)
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• 10 years minimum experience in national security community, with a focus on Spacepower strategy, operational concepts, tactics, and technologies.
• Experience building and marinating relationships at the highest levels of government, private industry, and relevant research and policy organizations.
• Master’s degree in a related field preferred.
• Space Force or Air Force veteran with relevant operational experience status preferred.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of national defense, strategic deterrence, military space issues, and spacepower.
• Experience developing and ability to grow an extensive professional network in the space sector, national security community, and strategic deterrence cadre.
• Demonstrated ability to produce and publish written work in topic areas and formats appropriate to the role.
• Experience as, and continuing ability to convey a strong leadership presence in highly hierarchical organizations, including military and government.
• Experience with budget planning and execution.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong adaptability to stressful situations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office with extra focus on Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to be consistently thorough and demonstrate attention to detail in completing tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to complete, organize, and appropriately document activities.
• Demonstrated ability to be honest and ethical in work.

Skills

• Technical Competencies (Research)
• Strategic Planning
• Decision-Making
• Business Acumen

Benefits

We offer a generous employee benefits package in addition to cash compensation. Our hiring range for this role is $167,440–$200,000. More experienced candidates are invited to apply and are encouraged to include their salary requirements with their application.