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The Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) is looking for a Director of Strategic Initiatives to join our team. SAME represents the public sector architecture/engineering/construction industry – our 20,000+ members literally build and support America’s infrastructure and national security. We provide our members opportunities to:

• Collaborate and network in a joint service environment (meaning, all branches of the uniformed services as well as federal, state, and local government agencies).
• Grow professionally and personally by participating in technical education & training, a wide range of conferences, and community service events.
• Engage with peers and content in a specific area of practice or designation via our Communities of Interest.
• Achieve professional and business goals.

We are a small organization (about 30 staff) that places a high value on teamwork, collaboration, and continually improving the products and services we deliver to our members. At SAME, we do work hard but we have a lot of fun doing it and enjoy working with one another. Everyone on our team is encouraged to take initiative, offer fresh perspectives, and be entrepreneurial. If you’re a team player who strives to do your best each day, please read on for a great opportunity with our great organization!

Please submit interest and resumes to applysame@same.org.

 POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Strategic Initiatives leads programs, advocacy, and initiatives that address national security engineering challenges within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (A/E/C) sectors. This role is pivotal in driving Industry-Government Engagement through impactful programs and sustained advocacy efforts. The Director focuses on the programs that support and the advocacy that sustains Industry-Government Engagement as well as workforce development efforts including leader development, training/credentialing, and STEM outreach, being responsible for:

• Driving Partnerships by identifying and championing the programmatic needs of our members through advocacy within Industry and Government.
• Delivering Solutions by enabling established collaborative teams with Foundation and grant funding.
• Developing People through prioritized education, programs, and webinars.      

This position ensures SAME remains a leading source of technical and programmatic content within the A/E/C fields by understanding key issues and themes related to procurement and contracting, program management and project delivery, along with the A/E/C industry and government interface. By leveraging SAME's extensive network of thought-leaders, the director will identify emerging industry trends, develop high-quality webinars and training, and recruit speakers for national, regional, and Post-level events. This role serves as a crucial bridge between industry and government professionals and also between SAME leaders and critical agency stakeholders and leadership, fostering mutually beneficial conversations and promoting SAME's commitment to industry-government engagement.

The Director of Strategic Initiatives reports to the Executive Director and is a key member of SAME’s leadership team, working in close collaboration with the other departmental leaders to establish and execute SAME’s strategic plan and fostering a strong environment of trust and execution within their directorate that effectively integrates across the staff and with volunteer leaders.

This position is required to work in the Alexandria, VA office a minimum of three days each week. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Driving Partnerships by identifying and championing the programmatic needs of our members through advocacy within Industry and Government.

• Through advocacy, develop, maintain, enhance, and deploy SAME’s Industry-Government Engagement (IGE) program:
  • Develop and deploy a cohesive IGE strategy
  • Develop, maintain, deploy, and execute a national IGE governance process
  • Emphasize, foster, and facilitate industry-government engagement efforts with internal and external stakeholders (Department of Defense, other military and public-sector agencies, strategic partners, community-based organizations, academia, industry, and other technical societies)
  • Develop, deploy and collaborate supporting local Post efforts.
• Manage the Executive Advisory Group (senior agency/military leadership) including agenda content, coordination of participants, and follow-up actions.
• Serve as a staff liaison to external stakeholders and strategic partners.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders (Department of Defense, other military and public-sector agencies, strategic partners, community-based organizations, academia, industry, and other technical societies) contributing to building national capabilities and capacities.
• Identify action issues for industry and government executive consideration through the Executive Advisory Group (EAG) or other appropriate venues.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Communications to promote department initiatives and priorities.
• Receive and respond directly to prospective volunteer inquiries.
• Identify and cultivate hot topics that can be turned into educational content for the benefit of membership.

Delivering Solutions by enabling established collaborative teams (C3’s) with Foundation and grant funding.

• SAME is organized into Communities of Interest (COIs), Councils, and Committees (together, C3s)—offering members a chance to organize and engage nationally with other professionals focused on a thematic areas of mutual interest or demographic across SAME’s 20,000+ members. The director will engage C3s as well as their associated programs and projects.
• Lead and mentor the Programs department team.
• Direct and manage additional assigned program and project managers (staff).
• Provide program management to C3s (staff and volunteers).
• Provide programmatic support to C3-related meetings, webinars, and training.
• Oversee administrative support for assigned C3s including:
  • Ensuring web page content is updated to include leadership changes
  • Coordinating communications
  • Support assigned national IGE projects
  • Maintain records, including member and leadership team rosters, workplans, charters, operation manuals, and bylaws.
• Program department financial management:
  • Assemble and submit annual budget to include all approved C3 resource requests
  • Manage expenditures on an ongoing basis ensuring compliance with approved budgets; identify any obvious expenditure issues not in compliance with approved budgets.
• Advise the Executive Director on matters requiring the attention of the SAME Executive Committee or SAME Board of Direction.
• Manage and improve the Program processes in support of the Foundation
  • Serve as staff liaison for Resource & Review Committee (R2C) allocating SAME Foundation funds and recommended budget expenditures
  • Ensure annual program reporting in a timely manner in accordance with charity and donor reporting requirements
  • Assist the Finance department with restricted donation tracking.

Developing People through prioritized education, programs, and webinars.

• Coordinate with the C3 leadership and other C3 staff managers to solicit and recruit related content for SAME national, regional, and Post-level events; trainings and webinars; and online and print content.
• Sustain the Leader Development Program.
• Sustain the STEM/Engineering & Construction Camp Program.
• Nurture and encourage staff in their pursuit of continuing education through support, resources, and opportunities aligned with SAME’s mission and professional development goals.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Provide hands-on support at SAME National events as needed.
• Other duties in support of SAME’s priorities as assigned by the Executive Director.

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of 10 years of diverse work experience in project procurement and contracting, program management and delivery, and A/E/C government and industry.
• Minimum of 4 years of uniformed military service, preferred.
• Experience working with A/E/C private sector firms and uniformed engineering organizations (USACE, NAVFAC, AFCEC), preferred.
• Experience working with and managing volunteers and committees within non-profit associations, preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Teams, Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.) 
• Ability to problem solve and think creatively and broadly to enable and implement a project or event.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail and quality.
• Desire to learn and be adaptable.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage, mentor, and motivate a team of staff.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and with a wide range of stakeholders, including volunteer leaders, executives, and military personnel.
• Ability to work in a team environment, be a self-starter, and demonstrate initiative.
• Excellent interpersonal skills that inspire trust, motivation, and confidence in internal and external stakeholders.
• Possess a positive attitude with ability and willingness to provide excellent customer service to internal and external members.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, under varying deadlines, and prioritize as needed.
• Commitment to professional growth and organizational excellence.
• Ability to pick-up and carry 30 pounds.
• Ability to travel throughout the year.

About Society of American Military Engineers

Founded in 1920, SAME builds leaders and facilitates collaboration among government and industry to develop solutions to national security infrastructure challenges. With a National Office in Alexandria, VA, and over 100 Chapters around the world, the Society unites the uniformed services, public, private, and academic sectors from across the architecture, engineering, construction, and related disciplines. Providing extensive opportunities for training, education and professional development through a robust offering of conferences, workshops, networking events, publications, webinars, and other member-driven programs, SAME bridges the gaps between critical stakeholders to help secure our nation. Visit www.same.org for more information.

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