Senior Program Director (C02078)
Middlebury College
Posted: April 16, 2026
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Quick Summary
Serving as a Senior Program Director, the ideal candidate will lead the development, fundraising, and implementation of major projects related to export controls, technology protection, nonproliferation, sanctions, strategic trade, and related national security issues.
Required Skills
Job Description
Under the general guidance of the Executive Director of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Washington, DC, the Senior Program Director / Senior Advisor will lead the development, fundraising, and implementation of major projects related to export controls, technology protection, nonproliferation, sanctions, strategic trade, and related national security issues.
This position is expected to serve as a senior program leader within CNS and may manage a portfolio of federally funded projects involving multiple sponsors, international partners, and staff members. The incumbent will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with U.S. government agencies, foreign government counterparts, international organizations, industry representatives, and other stakeholders.
The individual may supervise staff, consultants, interns, and project teams across multiple projects and programs.
This is considered a part-time, hourly, non-benefits eligible position. The approximate weekly working hours is 7.5. The minimum starting rate for the position is $63.13 per hour.
Core Responsibilities:
• Program Leadership and Fundraising
• Lead the design, development, and implementation of federally funded export control, sanctions, nonproliferation, technology protection, and strategic trade projects.
• Identify and pursue new funding opportunities from U.S. government agencies, foundations, international organizations, and other sponsors.
• Lead the drafting, review, and submission of grant proposals, concept notes, statements of work, budgets, and other fundraising materials.
• Serve as principal investigator, co-principal investigator, or senior advisor on major funded projects and programs.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with U.S. government agencies, including the Departments of State, Energy, Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security, and other relevant entities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with foreign governments, international organizations, universities, research institutes, and industry partners.
• Represent CNS at conferences, meetings, workshops, and other external engagements.
• Contribute to the strategic growth and visibility of CNS programs and activities.
Project Management and Implementation
• Oversee the implementation of complex domestic and international projects involving multiple staff, consultants, subcontractors, and stakeholders.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, deliverables, reporting requirements, and sponsor communications.
• Supervise and mentor project staff, research associates, consultants, and interns.
• Lead the development and delivery of workshops, training programs, conferences, tabletop exercises, and other outreach activities.
• Travel domestically and internationally, where required, to support project implementation, sponsor engagement, and relationship development.
• Ensure compliance with sponsor requirements, Middlebury policies, and other institutional requirements.
• Coordinate with CNS leadership and administrative staff regarding project staffing, budgeting, contracts, travel, and procurement.
Research and Subject Matter Expertise
• Conduct and oversee research on export controls, technology protection, sanctions, nonproliferation, strategic trade controls, counterproliferation finance, research security, or related national security topics.
• Draft and review reports, policy papers, training materials, presentations, and other written products.
• Provide substantive guidance to project teams regarding technical, legal, policy, and implementation issues related to export controls and technology protection.
• Monitor developments in export control regimes, sanctions policy, emerging technologies, research security, and related areas.
• Contribute to CNS publications, public outreach, and other efforts to enhance the visibility and reputation of CNS.
Requirements:
• Advanced degree in international relations, public policy, political science, law, engineering, national security studies, or a related field.
• Significant experience in export controls, nonproliferation, sanctions, technology protection, research security, strategic trade controls, or related fields.
• Demonstrated experience securing and managing federally funded projects and programs.
• Strong proposal writing, fundraising, and business development skills.
• Excellent project management, organizational, oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to engage effectively with senior government officials, international partners, industry representatives, and donors.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.
• Willingness and ability to comply with Institute policies, procedures, and mandates.
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment with competing deadlines and priorities.
• Strong understanding of U.S. government processes, grant management, and international program implementation.
• Resourceful problem solver with strong judgment and leadership skills.
Experience:
• Previous experience in a senior role within the U.S. government, international organizations, industry, academia, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Previous experience leading export control capacity-building, sanctions implementation, technology protection, or nonproliferation-related programs strongly preferred.
• Previous experience working with the Departments of State, Energy, Commerce, Defense, or related agencies preferred.
• Previous experience leading large federal grants, cooperative agreements, or contracts preferred.
• Previous experience supervising staff and managing complex project portfolios preferred.
• Previous international experience, including engagement with foreign government officials and international organizations, preferred.
Come join us and be a part of our team!
Middlebury College is an equal-opportunity employer where diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values. To this end, the College recruits talented and diverse faculty, staff, and students from across the United States and around the world. Middlebury College encourages applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, and members of other protected classes and historically underrepresented communities. The College also invites applications from individuals who demonstrate an ongoing commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Benefits:
As an employee of Middlebury College, you will enjoy being part of a vibrant supportive community.