Director, Forward Defense Initiative

Director, Forward Defense Initiative – Atlantic Council The Atlantic Council seeks a strategic, collaborative, and innovative leader to shape the public debate and influence US and allied defense strategy, policy, and implementation. This role reports to the Vice President and Senior Director of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and leads the Forward Defense Initiative in program conception and implementation, fundraising, and staff mentorship. Responsibilities Programmatic Design and Oversight. Lead the design, development, and implementation of annual plans and budgets for the Initiative; manage a high-impact team, multiple projects and commissions, and donor/stakeholder relationships. Intellectual Leadership. Develop policy frameworks that advance the Initiative’s mission; produce written work, events, media, and speaking opportunities to influence defense policy and defense industrial base discussions. People Management. Supervise and mentor a team of 12+ staff and interns, and several dozen nonresident fellows; identify paths for professional development. Business Development. Secure funding for new and existing lines of effort; steward existing donors and expand the Initiative’s funding base with corporate, government, international, foundation, and individual support. Outreach/Communications. Represent the Council externally; engage with key defense policymakers, Senate/House committees, defense agencies, allied embassies, defense journalists, and the defense innovation ecosystem; speak at events and conferences. Financial Management. Oversee expenses and revenues, budgets, fundraising projections, and program solvency. Qualifications Master’s degree and 8–10 years of relevant experience. Experience in defense policy and/or foreign policy/national security, across private sector, government, or NGOs. Strong leadership, communication, and ability to build non-partisan networks around defense priorities. Extensive project management and proven business development success. Entrepreneurial problem-solving mindset with effective program management. Superior writing and interpersonal skills for collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Strong relationship management, judgment, and emotional intelligence. Demonstrated leadership and teamwork aligned with organizational values of collaboration and optimism. Compensation and timing: the Center offers a competitive package, with offers from

$170,000 to $210,000 . Applications submitted by

August 29, 2025

will be prioritized. Other role details Seniority level: Director Employment type: Contract Job function: Business Development and Sales Industries: International Affairs

#J-18808-Ljbffr