Executive Director, Security & Classified Operations and Chief Security Officer

Company: RAND
Location: Santa Monica
Posted on: November 20, 2023

Job Description:

Job Type: Regular Overview RAND Corporation is a research institution devoted to developing solutions to important public policy challenges to help make communities across the world safer, healthier, and more prosperous. In pursuing this mission, RAND helps sponsors at the highest level of U.S. national and homeland security and in related roles throughout the U.S. government, along with leaders in key allies, with their toughest problems. This requires the ability to conduct work at all levels of classification while using cutting-edge computing and analytic capabilities, a demanding combination. And it is critical to RAND to remain a close and trusted partner with these officials and agencies by upholding the highest standards of security. To accomplish this, the RAND classified support and security team works in partnership with RAND's senior leadership, research divisions, information services (IS), workplace services and real estate, human resources, and other departments to ensure we have top notch classified research capabilities, world class cleared staff, and uncompromising protection of classified information and security. The multi-faceted security problems facing the U.S. and its allies are daunting. RAND plays a key role in analyzing these problems and developing recommendations for government leaders, and the director of classified support and security and their team are essential for enabling RAND to play this vital role. Position Description As a member of RAND's leadership team, reporting to the senior vice president of finance and operations, the executive director guides the 250-person Security and Classified Operations organization to maximize RAND's research impact. In this newly created role, we're looking for a leader to leverage all their knowledge and skills to evolve RAND's classified research capabilities, particularly with increased expectations for virtual collaboration remaining post-pandemic and the rapid evolution of AI as critical to the conduct of research. The director will develop and provide classified research capabilities to the RAND Federally Funded Research and Development Center researchers that enable them to execute cutting edge, complex research responsive to the top priorities of U.S. national and homeland security and law enforcement. This requires being able to quickly establish the capabilities to meet new and evolving needs, high-performance computing that stays on the leading edge at all levels of classification, and the ability to collaborate virtually across RAND offices and with a very broad array of government sponsors. The classified information services team is expected to provide excellent service to meet research needs while upholding the highest standards for compliance and security to protect classified information and RAND staff. Specifically, the director will lead:

• All RAND classified capabilities encompassing government systems, facilities, and computing. Classified computing responsibilities include ensuring computer and storage capabilities stay aligned with research needs, information assurance, system administration, and technical support to staff.
• Security policies and programs include RAND's National Industrial Security Program (NISP), intelligence, personnel security, physical security, safety, emergency preparedness and incident response, communications security, document control, operational security, security investigations, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) operations, and Special Access Program (SAP) operations.
• Hiring, and development of classified information technology and security staff across RAND's U.S. offices in Santa Monica, Pittsburgh, and Arlington. In managing classified information technology, the director will work in close partnership with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the rest of the RAND Information Services (IS) team regarding the acquisition and maintenance of information technology (IT) and the hiring and development of IT staff. The director also has advisory responsibility for security matters for RAND's non-U.S. offices. Responsibilities Key responsibilities include:
  • Ensures robust policies, procedures, and processes are in place and well implemented to effectively manage the department, to provide classified computing capabilities to RAND US cleared staff, and to provide security to RAND associates across the globe.
  • Ensures compliance with NISP and intelligence regulations, contractual, executive order, and other relevant federal directives for classified operations and other local, national, and international regulations relevant to security.
  • Serves as the principal security liaison between RAND and the security organizations of its clients in the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, Justice, Treasury, and Commerce; the Intelligence Community; U.S. ally defense organizations; and other clients as needed.
  • In concert with RAND senior leadership and research division management, establishes the department's vision, strategy, and execution priorities and leads department staff and activities to execute this strategy.
    • In partnership with RAND's leadership team, directs the development of an effective strategy to assess and mitigate risk (foreign and domestic), manage incidents, and safeguard the organization and its ability to conduct all work.
    • In partnership with RAND's research and IS leadership, ensures that RAND's classified research capabilities stay at the leading edge to enable RAND to always be ready to support the needs of its government sponsors.
    • Ensures risk management principles are incorporated into Security by proactively assessing asset values/loss consequences, threats, vulnerabilities, and countermeasures' effectiveness to maximize efficiencies and contain security and safety related costs.
    • Develops relationships with executive-level officials in law enforcement to include country-level and international security agencies, intelligence agencies, and other relevant governmental functions as well as private sector counterparts worldwide in locations relevant to RAND's operations.
      • Ensures compliance with laws and regulations related to Security and classified functions including special security and intelligence community policies and procedures.
      • Keeps abreast of the regulatory environment and marketplace changes and emerging security and computing technologies.
      • Leads and manages security and classified computing resources, staff, and facilities:
        • Determines staffing needs, attracts, and hires staff from diverse backgrounds.
        • Guides the development of department staff, to include training and other developmental activities, to ensure effective career development and effective succession planning, in concert with IS leadership.
        • Leads the performance management process for the department staff.
        • Develops and oversees objectives, operating policies and procedures, budget, strategic plans, and action plans for achieving goals.
        • Serves as the primary security contact with the directors of RAND research units. Maintains familiarity with the research agendas to provide proactive management and delivery of capabilities and provides security and classified computing expertise regarding their programs and projects.
        • Provides security and classified computing technical support for research proposals.
        • Ensures the maintenance of facility accreditations as well as joint and co-use agreements with applicable government agencies.
        • Continually monitors research computing needs and IT trends, upgrading capabilities as merited to ensure sufficient storage and processing capabilities and cutting-edge analytic capabilities.
        • Ensures all classified information systems and secure communication systems remain authorized by the respective government agency (classified network, collateral, SIPRNet, TS/SCI and SAP/SAR) and operate in accordance with current government regulations.
          • Through continual adherence to standards, ensures perpetual readiness for Command Cyber Readiness, DIA, DCSA, DISA, and other government oversight inspections.
          • Oversees RAND's interactions with DISA, DIA, DCSA, the military departments, and other government agencies regarding the authorization of classified operating capabilities.
          • Acts as the focal point for administering SCI and SAP programs for all government sponsors.
          • Coordinates and implements the domestic and international travel program to include prevention seminars, international travel/safety awareness briefings, and security threat analysis to ensure protection of all RAND associates.
          • Creates and implements a robust security education program for all RAND staff.
          • Coordinates and implements the international travel safety program to include prevention seminars, security and safety awareness briefings, and security threat analysis.
          • Maintains a comprehensive emergency response, business continuity, and disaster recovery program to include plans, exercises, incident response, and training. Qualifications Security
            • In depth knowledge of special security regulations for a broad range of clients in DoD, Air Force, Army, NSA, DHS, NSA, DIA, DTRA, and the Intelligence Community.
            • In depth knowledge of National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), Intelligence Community Directives (ICDs), JSIG, and Security Executive Agent Directives (SEAD).
            • Significant experience managing special security facilities and providing associated computing and communications capabilities.
            • Established relationships with government security counterparts.
            • Experience in preparing for and managing incident response regarding security and safety events.
            • Experience in designing and conducting security education and training programs (desirable).
            • Familiarity with U.S. export control regulations. Information Technology (IT)
              • Broad knowledge of IT operations and information assurance, familiarity with the latest computing capabilities available, and sufficiently deep IT knowledge to manage an IT workforce. Leadership/Executive
                • Proven ability to lead the development of new teams and organizations and to mentor and develop staff.
                • Demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) including working with a variety of people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives across all levels in a collegial, collaborative, and intellectually challenging environment.
                • Ability to establish organizational strategies and implementation priorities in partnership with key stakeholders across an organization.
                • A track record of taking the initiative to prevent or solve problems and to seize new opportunities.
                • Experience managing an organization with a reputation for providing exceptional customer service.
                • Proven ability to align resources and to achieve organizational needs/goals.
                • Experience in managing a budget and working to shift priorities as changing circumstances require.
                • Excellent judgment and decision making. Education Requirements
                  • Bachelor's degree required.
                  • An advanced degree in business, computer science, security or a related field is a plus.
                  • American Society for Industrial Security Certified Protection Professional (ASIS CPP) certification is a plus.
                  • Memberships in Industrial Security Working Group (ISWG) and Contractor SAP Security Working Group(CSSWG) are a plus. Experience
                    • 10+ years of progressively responsible security, classified support, and/or IT experience including at least 5 years in management and direct experience in both security and IT-related leadership roles with significant staff responsibility; 15 years of experience preferred.
                    • Experience working with a highly analytical knowledge-based workforce is preferred. Security Clearance Transferable current Top Secret with SCI access clearance based on an SSBI. Location RAND Offices in Santa Monica, CA and Arlington, VA are preferred locations for this position; candidates working from the Pittsburgh, PA office will also be considered.
                      • This position is office-based.
                      • Travel of approximately 25% within the U.S. is required. Salary Range $197,100 - $315,200 RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity.The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.This position may be eligible for additional compensation. Equal Opportunity Employer: race/color/religion/sex/sexual orientation/gender identity/national origin/disability/vet

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