Program Analyst
$150,000–$250,000 year
On-siteWashington, District of Columbia, United States or Washington, United States
Job Summary
Conduct policy research and analysis supporting Department of Defense programs, national security priorities, and government decision-making. Support program coordination across multiple concurrent projects, research efforts, and analytical workstreams. Research and assess federal legislation, regulations, proposed rule changes, policy initiatives, and emerging government requirements. Develop executive briefings, white papers, policy briefs, reports, memoranda, and other client-ready or publication-ready analytical products. Translate complex policy, regulatory, programmatic, and quantitative information into clear, actionable insights for senior government leaders. Support program schedules, deliverables, milestones, action items, and documentation across assigned efforts. Conduct research using authoritative government, academic, and industry sources, including the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Congressional Research Service (CRS), and peer-reviewed publications. Collect, organize, analyze, and communicate quantitative and qualitative data supporting program and policy decision-making. Develop and maintain data-driven tracking tools, dashboards, and other decision-support resources. Coordinate and engage with government leadership, staff, external partners, congressional offices, lobbyists, government affairs representatives, and other stakeholders. Support structured stakeholder outreach, information gathering, meeting preparation, and follow-up activities. Monitor relevant legislative, regulatory, acquisition, and policy developments and assess potential impacts to government programs and priorities. Most work is performed on-site from offices in Arlington, Virginia, and the Pentagon. Occasional travel is expected in support of government leaders, stakeholder engagements, and mission priorities.
Required Qualifications
- U.S. Citizenship
- Active U.S. Secret security clearance
- Eligibility to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)
- Master's degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, or a related field
- Bachelor's degree combined with relevant professional experience
- 1–3 years of experience in federal policy research, defense or national security policy, government affairs, program analysis, or a related field
- Ability to independently manage multiple concurrent research projects, program activities, or workstreams
- Experience producing client-ready, executive-level, or publication-ready written analysis, including white papers, policy briefs, reports, or similar products
- Strong legislative, regulatory, and policy analysis skills, including the ability to interpret proposed federal rules and policy changes
- Experience conducting policy research using authoritative government and academic sources
- Excellent policy writing, strategic communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with the ability to synthesize complex information into clear findings and recommendations
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel
- Experience developing or maintaining data-driven tracking tools or dashboards
- Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholder groups, including government leadership, staff, external partners, congressional offices, lobbyists, or government affairs representatives
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Willingness to relocate to the National Capital Region
Desired Qualifications
- Background researching defense acquisition, defense supply chain, CMMC or cybersecurity compliance, small-business regulatory issues, or related national security topics
- Experience supporting Department of Defense or other federal programs in a program analyst, policy analyst, government affairs, or similar capacity
- Experience producing externally published, executive-level, or other high-visibility written content
- Proficiency with Stata, R, or similar statistical analysis and data visualization tools
- Familiarity with Department of Defense acquisition processes; DoD ACQ 101 or equivalent training
- Experience coordinating with congressional offices or supporting government relations or advocacy efforts
- Experience supporting senior government leaders in high-visibility or fast-paced environments
- Experience with cross-organizational or cross-agency stakeholder coordination
- Change management or organizational consulting experience, preferably within a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) or similar organization
- Experience conducting structured stakeholder outreach across large stakeholder groups, including efforts involving 50 or more contacts
- Leadership experience within a campus, professional, governance, or committee environment
- Existing familiarity with stakeholders supporting ODASW P&E
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