Regional Engagement Principal

Overview

Job specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees. Specifications and not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

 

OVERVIEW:

 

We are seeking a Regional Engagement Principal (Venture Focus) to support the National OnRamp team, a team of the Defense Innovation Unit’s Commercial Operations Team reporting to the Secretary of Defense. DIU’s Commercial Operations is a component dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration among DoD Mission Partners, Academia, Industry, new ventures & entrepreneurs, private capital investors, and other national security stakeholders to solve some of the most complex challenges facing the nation. A key component of this mission involves engaging with the venture and startup communities to leverage their creativity and agility in addressing defense-related problems. The Regional Engagement Principal will be instrumental in fostering partnerships with these ecosystems, enabling collaboration that drives innovation and enhances national security.

The ideal individual will have the ability to exercise good judgment in a diversity of situations, with excellent written and verbal communication, analytical, interpersonal, and organizational skills, and the ability to maintain a realistic balance among multiple priorities and equities in a high-tempo environment serving DIU’s mission.

 

The successful candidate will build ongoing rapport and interact seamlessly and with a professional demeanor across a broad range of individuals including members of the Senior Management Team, government contractors, Federal civilian and military employees, and cross-government stakeholders. The role is expected to handle exquisitely highly sensitive, confidential, and institutional information while exercising professionalism and discretion.

 

POSITION SUMMARY:

 

The Regional Engagement Principal will serve as the primary liaison between DIU Commercial Operations and the local venture and startup communities, actively seeking to establish and nurture connections that can lead to innovative solutions for the Department of Defense (DoD). This role will focus on identifying and harnessing the potential of these communities, ensuring their ideas and technologies are effectively integrated into DIU Commercial Operations’ programs.

 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

• Engagement with Ventures, Funders & Founders: Foster relationships with local startups, venture capital firms, and entrepreneurial hubs to promote DIU Commercial Operations programs, company engagement, capital engagement, and other initiatives and secure their active participation as problem solvers. (75%)• Ecosystem Development: Create a robust national security problem-solving network by linking local startups and venture firms with academic institutions and DoD end users, thereby facilitating collaborative efforts to address defense challenges. (10%)• Representation and Outreach: Represent DIU Commercial Operations at relevant meetings, conferences, and industry events, enhancing visibility within the venture community and facilitating knowledge exchange between government, industry, and academia. (10%)• Collaboration with DoD Partners (as needed): Work closely with assigned DoD mission partners to identify challenges and opportunities that can be addressed through innovative solutions offered by venture and startup ecosystems as needed. (5%)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Engage the local entrepreneurial ecosystem to collaboratively address Department of Defense challenges through DIU Commercial Operations programming.• Identify and evaluate opportunities for collaboration between startups and DoD end users to foster effective problem-solving.• Plan, deliver, and assess DIU Commercial Operations programs in partnership with regional startups and venture ecosystems.• Support the development of strategic initiatives alongside DIU Commercial Operations’ Regional Directors, with a focus on elevating the role of venture partnerships.

Qualifications, Experience and Licensure:

• Proven experience working in or with venture capital, startups, or entrepreneurial ecosystems, particularly in the context of dual-use technologies.• Strong background in technology projects that involve collaboration among inter-agency, inter-departmental, and international partners.• Relationship management experience focused on fostering partnerships in high-tech and innovation-focused environments.• Prior military experience is advantageous but not required.

 

REQUIREMENTS:

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

 

• In-depth understanding of local entrepreneurial dynamics and the venture ecosystem, including knowledge