Managing Director, Defense Innovation Unit OnRamp Hub

Why RTI

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

About the Hiring Group

Project Description.

 

The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) OnRamp Hub serves as a regional gateway connecting the Department of War (DoW) with innovative commercial technologies, startups, research institutions, investors, and industry partners. The DIU OnRamp Hub identifies emerging technologies with military relevance, scouts and assesses companies, facilitates technology validation and testing, and supports the transition of promising capabilities into defense acquisition pathways. Through ecosystem engagement, technology scouting, mission alignment, and transition support, the DIU OnRamp Hub helps accelerate the adoption of dual-use technologies that address critical national security challenges while strengthening the regional defense innovation ecosystem.

 

This position is contingent on successful project award.

What You'll Do

What You Will Do / Responsibilities.

• The Managing Director serves as the chief executive and strategic leader of the North Carolina Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) OnRamp Hub, providing vision, direction, and oversight for all DIU OnRamp Hub operations, partnerships, programs, and personnel.
• Reporting to RTI leadership and serving as the primary interface with DIU leadership, the Managing Director is responsible for ensuring the DIU OnRamp Hub advances DIU’s mission, achieves all Cooperative Agreement requirements, and strengthens North Carolina’s role within the national defense innovation ecosystem.
• This position provides strategic leadership for the DIU OnRamp Hub’s engagement with industry, academia, investors, entrepreneurs, government agencies, and defense stakeholders across North Carolina.
• The Managing Director aligns regional innovation capabilities with DoW priorities, fosters technology transition opportunities, and ensures operational excellence across all DIU OnRamp Hub functions.
• The role requires a highly visible leader capable of building trusted relationships, driving mission-focused outcomes, and positioning the DIU OnRamp Hub as a premier defense innovation gateway for North Carolina and the Southeastern United States.
• The Managing Director should have deep connectivity into the North Carolina defense and technology ecosystem.

 

Your primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

 

Strategic Leadership and External Engagement – 40%

 

• Mission Alignment and Strategic Execution:
  • Lead the strategic direction and execution of all DIU OnRamp Hub programs, initiatives, and partnerships.
  • Actively engage with DIU leadership, building and maintaining a strong client relationship
  • Ensure DIU OnRamp Hub activities remain aligned with DIU strategic priorities, operational requirements, and program guidance.
  • Develop and implement strategic plans that enhance the DIU OnRamp Hub’s impact, reach, and contribution to national security innovation.
  • Identify emerging opportunities to expand defense innovation engagement throughout North Carolina and the broader Southeastern United States.
  • Ensure North Carolina’s innovation ecosystem remains responsive to DoW mission needs through active engagement with commercial innovators, research institutions, investors, and operational stakeholders.
  • Serve as the principal advocate for the DIU OnRamp Hub’s mission and strategic priorities.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Development:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with regional and national stakeholders across academia, industry, government, military organizations, national laboratories, and the investment community.
  • Develop and maintain relationships with defense stakeholders, operational users, innovation organizations, mission partners, and acquisition stakeholders to ensure DIU OnRamp Hub activities remain aligned with DoW priorities.
  • Communicate the value, capabilities, and opportunities available through the DIU OnRamp Hub to a broad range of audiences.
  • Engage with elected officials, economic development organizations, defense stakeholders, innovation leaders, and community partners to expand awareness and participation.
  • Develop strategic partnerships that accelerate innovation, technology adoption, and commercialization opportunities.
  • Represent the DIU OnRamp Hub at conferences, forums, public events, and strategic meetings.
• Senior Representation and Advocacy:
  • Serve as the senior representative and spokesperson for the DIU OnRamp Hub.
  • Act as the primary liaison between the DIU OnRamp Hub and DIU leadership, program personnel, the national network of DIU Hubs, and other national innovation ecosystem partners.
  • Engage regularly with industry executives, entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, university leaders, government officials, and technology innovators to advance the mission of DIU and the DIU OnRamp Hub.
  • Advocate for regional innovation capabilities and facilitate connections between commercial innovators and DoW opportunities. 

Operations, Program Management, and Compliance – 30%

 

• Operational Leadership:
  • Coordinate on a consistent basis with RTI leadership to ensure organizational support for, and alignment with, DIU OnRamp Hub strategic priorities and deliverables.
  • Maintain responsibility for achieving and sustaining Full Operating Capability (FOC) of the DIU OnRamp Hub, and subsequent operational milestones established by DIU.
  • Direct and oversee daily operations of the DIU OnRamp Hub.
  • Establish operational priorities, performance expectations, and implementation strategies that support mission success.
  • Ensure organizational effectiveness through efficient management of resources, personnel, facilities, and partnerships.
  • Monitor operational performance and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Program Oversight and Deliverables:
  • Maintain responsibility for successful execution of all Cooperative Agreement requirements, Statements of Work, and associated deliverables.
  • Oversee strategic impact projects and ensure alignment with DIU objectives and regional innovation priorities.
  • Ensure collection, management, and reporting of program data, metrics, outcomes, and performance measures.Guide development of annual work plans, strategic initiatives, and operational priorities.
  • Ensure timely completion and delivery of all program commitments.
  • Ensure effective implementation and continuous improvement of DIU OnRamp standardized services, including ecosystem intelligence, defense market engagement, technology scouting, readiness assessment, mission alignment, validation coordination, and transition support.
• Compliance and Reporting:
  • Ensure compliance with DoW, DIU, RTI, and applicable federal and state requirements.
  • Oversee preparation and submission of financial reports, program reports, situation reports (SITREPs), impact assessments, and performance updates.
  • Establish quality assurance measures to ensure accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of all deliverables.
  • Monitor risk, compliance obligations, and operational requirements to maintain organizational integrity and accountability.
• Facilities and Asset Management:
  • Maintain accountability for DIU OnRamp Hub facilities, technology assets, equipment, and operational resources.
  • Ensure facilities support modern technology integration, collaborative programming, modular workspace functionality, and large-scale convenings.
  • Ensure facilities and programming consistently meet DIU operational, branding, communications, and presentation standards.
  • Oversee facility readiness, maintenance planning, and resource allocation to support mission success. 

Personnel and Resource Management – 25%

 

• Leadership and Supervision:
  • Provide leadership, direction, and oversight for all DIU OnRamp Hub employees, contractors, interns, and affiliated personnel.
  • Establish performance expectations and accountability measures aligned with organizational objectives.
  • Conduct performance evaluations and provide ongoing coaching, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
  • Ensure the effective recruitment, onboarding, and retention of talented personnel.
• Team Development and Organizational Culture:
  • Foster a mission-focused organizational culture grounded in collaboration, innovation, excellence, and continuous improvement.
  • Promote cross-functional teamwork and effective communication among DIU OnRamp Hub personnel and external stakeholders.
  • Support employee engagement, well-being, and professional growth.
  • Create an environment that encourages initiative, creativity, and problem-solving.
• Resource and Financial Stewardship:
  • Provide executive oversight of DIU OnRamp Hub budgets, expenditures, resource planning, and financial sustainability.
  • Collaborate with RTI leadership to ensure sound fiscal management and responsible stewardship of public resources.
  • Review and approve financial plans, operational investments, and resource allocation strategies.
  • Identify opportunities to leverage partnerships and external resources to expand DIU OnRamp Hub impact. 

Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

 

• Perform additional leadership, strategic, operational, or administrative responsibilities as assigned.
• Support emerging DIU priorities, special initiatives, and national security innovation efforts.
• Represent the DIU OnRamp Hub on committees, working groups, advisory boards, and special projects as needed.
• Respond to evolving opportunities and challenges in support of DIU’s mission and objectives.

 

What You'll Need

Minimum Qualifications

 

• Bachelor's degree in science, engineering, technology commercialization, business, public policy, national security, or a related field and at least 12 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree and at least 10 years of relevant experience; or a PhD and at least 6 years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant experience leading complex programs, partnerships, or innovation initiatives involving defense, national security, government, commercial technology, venture, research, or dual-use innovation ecosystems.
• Strong understanding of technology commercialization, innovation ecosystems, emerging technology assessment, and pathways for moving technology from identification to pilot, validation, acquisition, or operational use, including experience developing commercial technology that has transitioned into DoW acquisition, operational, or mission environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, manage operational execution, set priorities, and drive accountability across multiple stakeholders and workstreams.
• Experience engaging across senior government, military, industry, investor, academic, and regional economic development stakeholders with credibility and executive presence.
• Strong understanding of DoW contracting mechanisms and programming.
• Ability to translate mission needs and technical concepts into clear, actionable strategies, engagement plans, briefings, and decision-support materials.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with technical, nontechnical, executive, and external audiences.
• Required to work onsite daily and travel domestically as needed for regional engagement, national meetings, and mission-critical activities.
• Domestic travel is expected and may include in-state or regional stakeholder engagement, sponsor or national program meetings, ecosystem events, mission partner engagements, and mission-critical travel approved by program leadership.
• To qualify, applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States and should not require, now or in the future, sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status, etc.). 

Preferred Qualifications

 

• Advanced degree in a relevant technical, business, public policy, national security, or related discipline.
• Relevant experience with defense innovation organizations, military service, the
• Intelligence Community, acquisition pathways, technology transition, or federally funded R&D programs.
• Experience developing or managing regional innovation programs, accelerators, venture engagement programs, public-private partnerships, technology transition programs, or defense-focused commercialization initiatives.
• Experience with technology readiness, commercial readiness, manufacturing readiness, test and evaluation, independent validation and verification, or transition planning.
• Experience with fundraising, for example leading competitive proposals, capture efforts, sponsor growth, or new program development.

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EEO & Pay Equity Statements

For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is available here.

 

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

 

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

 

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.

Hiring Salary Range

$168,000 - $207,000