Job Description

Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26170
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Ben Dahlke
406-994-7843
Classification Title Program/Project Lead
Working Title National Security Hub Program Lead
Brief Position Overview
MSU's Institute for National Security Research and Education (INSRE) is seeking a dynamic and highly organized professional to serve as the National Security Hub Program Lead. This position will play a key role in expanding student, faculty, and staff engagement in national security-related opportunities-including internships, jobs, research, and professional development-while serving as a connector between campus, government, industry, and academic partners. The Program Lead will also help organize high-profile events, speaker series, and collaborations that strengthen MSU's leadership in the national security space. This is an exciting opportunity to shape a new program, work at the intersection of education and national security, and directly impact the experiences and opportunities available to MSU students and researchers.
Position Number 4C4315
Department Inst National Security Rrsch & Ed
Division Office of Research and Economic Development
Appointment Type Professional
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Exempt
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary Starting $110,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The National Security Hub (NSH) Program Lead role is characterized by being highly collaborative and outward-facing, focused on expanding and coordinating Montana State University's engagement in national security-related education, research, and workforce development. Success in this position is measured by the ability to proactively connect students, faculty, and staff with national security opportunities-including internships, research collaborations, professional development, and employment-and to strengthen relationships with government, industry, and academic partners. Critical to the role is a strong understanding of university research environments, national security priorities, and the mechanisms through which educational institutions engage with the Department of Defense and other federal partners. The NSH Program Lead must demonstrate exceptional organizational, communication, and stakeholder management skills; independent judgment; and the ability to represent INSRE's mission with professionalism and credibility across campus and external networks. This position requires experience in program coordination, event and partnership development, and the ability to track and report outcomes aligned with institutional and federal objectives.
Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of the National Security Hub Program Lead will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop, manage, and maintain the National Security Hub (NSH) as a central resource for national security-related opportunities, including job boards, research postings, professional development activities, and communication platforms.
• Organize and coordinate seminar series, guest speakers, conferences, and industry days featuring MSU experts and external partners from government, industry, and NGOs.
• Proactively identify, cultivate, and disseminate internship, job, research, and training opportunities to MSU students, staff, and faculty, leveraging both internal resources (e.g., Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success, Undergraduate Scholars Program) and external partnerships.
• Build and maintain a database of opportunities with details such as requirements, timelines, compensation, and application processes.
• Support the development of new research and experience pathways in collaboration with consortia such as the University Consortium for Applied Hypersonics (UCAH) and the Experimentation & Prototyping Institution Consortium (EPIC).
• Serve as a liaison across INSRE leadership, affiliated labs/centers, and MSU faculty and students, ensuring effective connection-making, follow-up, and engagement with external partners.
• Collaborate with MSU POCs to ensure appropriate engagement with government, academic, and industry stakeholders.
• Lead efforts to bring government-sponsored coursework, certifications, and accreditations to MSU.
• Collect, analyze, and maintain key metrics and outcomes of student and faculty engagement in INSRE and NSH activities, including tracking graduates' participation in national security careers.
• Support the Executive Director of INSRE through executive assistant functions, including scheduling, correspondence, communications, travel coordination, reporting, and meeting preparation.
• Coordinate with the Facility Security Officer (FSO) and other decision makers on relevant security-related matters.
• Recruit, hire, and manage student assistants to support NSH functions and outreach.
• Serve as a repository of institutional knowledge, ensuring continuity of connections, opportunities, and engagement across INSRE programs and partners.
• Other duties as assigned by INSRE leadership to support the success and impact of the Institute.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills * Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., political science, public policy, international relations, STEM, education administration) or equivalent professional experience.

• Experience serving in a liaison or connector role, ensuring effective follow-up and functional cross-institutional collaboration.
• History of success in working with multiple organizations, individuals, and entities within and outside an academic institution.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an active TOP SECRET/SCI DOD National Security Clearance or other Federal Government agency equivalent security clearance.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in program coordination, academic administration, student services, research management, or a related field.
• Experience facilitating and hosting official events, meetings, conferences, etc.
• Proficiency with common office and database software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, data tracking systems).

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills * Master's degree in a relevant field (e.g., political science, public policy, international relations, STEM, education administration) or equivalent professional experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge of national security-related organizations, including government agencies, laboratories, industry, and academic programs.
• Strong ability to proactively engage students and faculty, market opportunities, and build networks across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated ability to collect, track, and report program metrics to inform leadership decision-making.
• Experience working with university research programs.
• Demonstrated experience working with and protecting sensitive information such as PII, Controlled Unclassified Information, Classified Information, or other information with explicit federal or state government security and access control requirements.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Represent INSRE in a professional manner at all times and help create a positive, productive environment.
• Excellent communication, writing, and organizational skills; ability to convey complex opportunities clearly and persuasively.
• Strong organizational skills with proven ability to manage multiple projects, timelines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Work effectively with students, faculty, administrators, and external partners.
• Operate autonomously within scope of responsibilities; be a self-starter who can work independently to identify, plan, organize, and execute projects and tasks.
• Be highly detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to rapidly respond to inquiries and requests.
• Flexibility, resourcefulness, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment with multiple stakeholders.
• Familiarity with research activity and faculty engagement within a university environment; ability to connect research interests to external opportunities.
• Be motivated and take initiative to grow your understanding of national security-related opportunities, funding mechanisms and best practices to continue to bring new information and capabilities to the team and your role.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This position is Bozeman-based and is contingent upon continued funding.
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
Must possess currently or be eligible to obtain a valid State of Montana Driver's license and have an acceptable driving record (less than 12 points) or have other reliable means of transportation. Must have access to a vehicle to use for work (mileage will be reimbursed) and have minimum vehicle liability insurance. Do NOT send a copy of the driver's license.
In accordance with 32 CFR 2001, pursuant to EO 13526: Due to the requirement for this position to independently access federal government-accredited classified spaces (e.g. vaults, restricted and closed areas), and having routine access to national security information and other materials supporting Montana State University classified research, the individual in this position must currently hold and maintain a TOP SECRET/SCI DOD National Security Clearanceor other Federal Government agency equivalent security clearance.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on November 4, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents * Resume

• Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Skills Required