Job Details

Director - Kostas Research Institute & CEO, KRI LLC

Position Number: 6080389
Location: Burlington, MA
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Director - Kostas Research Institute & CEO, KRI LLC

About the Opportunity

The Director of the Kostas Research Institute (DIRECTOR) leads the Kostas Research Institute (KRI, the Institute), a complex applied research institute of Northeastern University. The KRI is focused on national and international security-related science and technology (S&T) research and development (R&D). Its largest customer is the US Government, with some work funded by corporations and FFRDCs, and it is able to compete for government, corporate, or supra-government (e.g. NATO) funding from outside the USA. The KRI is headquartered in part of the George J. Kostas Research Institute for Homeland Security Building on the Northeastern University Innovation Campus at Burlington, MA (ICBM), with a presence at other sites.

Faculty members, staff, and students from Northeastern affiliated with the KRI, technical, program management, and security staff of the KRI, and KRI external partners, ideate, articulate, and execute the S&T program of the KRI, and transition the products of its programs. The DIRECTOR is expected to set the overall vision for the institute, and to organize and build the KRI to win and execute substantial security-related technical programs, producing outstanding outcomes recognized by the funding agencies and other potential funding agencies. The DIRECTOR is expected to lead key efforts to win large contracts and contract vehicles (targeting 9-figure class), growing the KRI top line revenue to and beyond an annual level of $500 million; this will require the DIRECTOR to engage in extensive personal engagement with key leaders and program managers of funding agencies. Much of the success of the KRI depends upon partnerships with government, industry, and academia; the DIRECTOR will be responsible for the development and utilization of these partnerships to support the success of the KRI.

To facilitate the work of the KRI and select other initiatives of the University, Northeastern University established a wholly-owned 501(c) 3 subsidiary, incorporated as "KRI at Northeastern University, LLC" (KRI, LLC). The KRI, LLC has a Facility Security Clearance (FCL); this enables the KRI, LLC to provide key services to the University, including operating special spaces, holding and passing security clearances, and being the prime contractor on contracts containing Defense Department Form 254, and similar. These functions are operated by the award-winning KRI, LLC Security Office (2023 Cogswell winner). The DIRECTOR also serves as Chief Executive Officer of the KRI, LLC. The University maintains a shared-services agreement with the KRI, LLC in order to provide key research administration, compliance, contracting, legal, information technology, technology transfer, and human resource services. For convenience, a number of technical, administrative, and program management staff of the KRI are employees of the KRI, LLC. All of these employees have standing at the University including participation in the complete employee benefits services of the University.

The DIRECTOR reports to, and works closely with, the Northeastern University Senior Vice Provost for Research (SVPR) and will be a member of the leadership team of the SVPR. As CEO of KRI, LLC, the Director reports to a Board of Directors; the SVPR is a member of the KRI, LLC Board and the DIRECTOR is an ex-officio member of the Board. The KRI Director of Research and CTO, and the directors of the KRI Program Management Office (PMO) and KRI, LLC Security Office (SO) report to the DIRECTOR. The PMO and SO support the research programs of the KRI and select other programs within the University as determined by the DIRECTOR and SVPR.

Qualifications:

Demonstrated record of effective leadership within an academic institution

Demonstrated track record of building and executing collaborative programs with internal and external entities

Secret level security clearance and TS/SCI eligibility required; active TS/SCI preferred

C-suite-level interpersonal skills, with projection of gravitas as fitting to the encounter

Strong management skills with an impeccable ethical approach to work and leadership

Demonstrated results in creating a welcoming, high-performance work environment.

Ability to travel domestically & internationally as needed

A proven, outstanding leader is sought and a variety of backgrounds and experiences will be considered as long as successful leadership within an academic institution has been demonstrated. Successful leaders of security-focused applied research laboratories typically possess the knowledge and skills obtained through a Ph.D. or equivalent plus at least fifteen years' experience in government, corporate, national lab, or academic leadership positions in the national security domain

Experience working with departments and programs of the US Defense, Intelligence and/or National/Homeland Security Communities is preferred

Responsibilities:

1) Engage externally to the University to build and ensure the success of the Kostas Research Institute (KRI) as the applied research arm of the University growing to and beyond $500 million in annual revenue.

2) Work successfully with direct reports, and with them, their technical, program management, and security verticals of the KRI and its associated KRI at Northeastern University LLC (KRI, LLC), to ensure KRI success, including a high-performing, high-morale, welcoming work environment for professionals and students throughout the organization.

3) Through engagement with the

(a) Research Director and CTO and the technical vertical, grow and execute a successful S&T R&D operation including program, facility, and workforce aspects,

(b) PMO Director and the program management vertical, maintain superior execution of all contracts and contract vehicles from pre-proposal to close-out stages,

(c) SO Director and the security vertical, maintain the KRI, LLC record of high-level performance in security office operations as recognized by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency.

4) Partner effectively with the SVPR and her/his leadership team to ensure the success of the KRI and the University. Be an effective team member helping the University grow and succeed as a world-leading research university.

Position Type

Research

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To apply, visit https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Burlington-MA/Director---Kostas-Research-Institute---CEO--KRI-LLC_R132398