About GTRI

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is a highly regarded non-profit applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology, one of the world’s top-ranked research universities. With more than 2,800 scientists, engineers, support professionals, and students, GTRI develops advanced technology solutions and large-scale system prototypes to address the most difficult problems in national security, economic development, and the overall human condition. The core support include:

- Analysis, modelling and simulation, systems engineering, and technology development;

- Cybersecurity, information, communication, command and control, and software systems;

- Electromagnetics, materials, and device technology;

- Sensors, weapons, electronic warfare, and autonomous systems;

- Test and evaluation;

- Threat systems research and development

GTRI’s $1B per-year research program is organized into three major areas: Electronics, Optics and Systems; Information and Cyber Sciences; and Sensors and Intelligent Systems. In support of those areas, GTRI operates eight research laboratories and presence in over 20 locations around the country:

1. Advanced Concepts Laboratory

2. Aerospace, Transportation and Advanced Systems Laboratory

3. Applied Systems Laboratory

4. Cybersecurity, Information Protection, and Hardware Evaluation Research Laboratory

5. Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory

6. Electronic Systems Laboratory

7. Information and Communications Laboratory

8. Sensors and Electromagnetic Applications Laboratory

GTRI is a Department of Defense (DOD) University Affiliated Research Center (UARC).

GTRI's Culture and Leadership

GTRI develops advanced technology solutions and large-scale system prototypes to address the most difficult problems in national security, enhance economic development in Georgia, improve the overall human condition, and develop technology leaders.

GTRI is the non-profit, applied research organization of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 3,000 employees supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country. In FY2024 GTRI performed over $918M of problem-solving research for government and industry.

Each day, GTRI's science and engineering expertise is used to turn ideas into workable solutions for our customers. It takes the best ideas, some co-developed with their Georgia Tech academic partners, and turn them into systems applications that provide a significant technological advantage over other approaches.

GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state and industry. As a non-profit research institute, GTRI is an objective partner who delivers workable solutions and manufacturable products. Its highly specialized laboratories and interdisciplinary research expertise allow GTRI to bring the right mix of talent, experience and creativity to our nation’s toughest challenges.

Purpose of the Position

GTRI, a $1B/year applied research unit of the Georgia Institute of Technology, is seeking a highly strategic and innovative individual for the position of Director of Research Security (“Director of RS”).

GTRI’s Research Security department is responsible for safeguarding the integrity of research, protecting against threats to national and economic security, and ensuring the responsible conduct of research, including protection against theft and misappropriation of research and intellectual property. GTRI’s current Research Security organization covers Cybersecurity, Industrial Security, Program Security, Insider Threat/Counterintelligence, Security Education and Training, Field Office Security, and Compliance and Risk Management. The incumbent will also be responsible for guiding the Institute’s implementation of National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 to protect US Government-sponsored Research and Development.

The Director of RS will serve as a trusted advisor and collaborator to both GT/GTRI leadership and a 100-person workforce of research security specialists who thrive in an innovative, compliance-aware environment. The incumbent will not only be responsible for directing and administering provisions of the National Industrial Security Program and other security related regulations as they apply to the Institute, but also providing consulting services to the Georgia Tech (“GT”) community on issues relating to the handling of classified and export-controlled information, data and technology. The incumbent will play a key role in advising GT/GTRI’s research business growth. The Director of RS will also be tasked to review and elevate the current organizational structure to have a more robust and modernized Research Security department to support an improved classified working environment.

The successful candidate will bring a creative, agile mindset — someone who understands the urgency and mission behind the research and can build trust with scientists and engineers, while designing scalable and adaptable security solutions. 

Experience and Professional Qualifications

- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Management or Administration, Law or other related discipline with at least 10 years of relevant administration and regulatory experience related to research security preferably gained from both industry and a University Affiliated Research Centre (UARC) environment.

- Strong understanding of industry and Intelligence Community (IC) security standards, business operations and regulatory requirements; sound comprehensive technical knowledge in security program organization and management as applied within an institutional research environment which includes in-depth knowledge of all applicable Federal security laws and regulations.

- Demonstrated working knowledge of, and experience with: 32 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 117 National Industrial security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM); DoD Special Access Program Security Manuals 5205/07 Series 1-4 and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) IC Directives (ICDs); DoD Joint SAP Implementation Guide (JSIG); Insider Threat, Information Security (INFOSEC) Communications Security (COMSEC); Operations Security (OPSEC); Physical Security, Personnel Security (PERSEC), etc.

- Proven track record of shaping policy or influencing research security organizations.

- Exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills to effectively lead the organization is required.

- Demonstrated experience in collaborating and working across organizational boundaries.

- DoD Security Professional Education Development Certification and/or related certifications.

- US citizenship and ability to obtain and sustain a US government issued Personnel Security Clearance for access to classified information is required.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

- Oversee the development and implementation of strategic and operational plans and policies related to research security with the aim of protecting the confidentiality and integrity of research (both domestically and internationally), availability of Institute IT resources and data, as well as security of GTRI facilities and research programs.

- Create and implement institute policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; review and establish a more robust and modernized organizational structure that is “fit for purpose”, balancing between innovation and compliance.

- Identify and mitigate potential threats from within and outside the institution.

- Develop and administer Research Security departmental budgets as well as manage resource deployment.

- Confer with and provide counsel to GT management and faculty regarding security issues and questions.

- Collaborate with other departments and offices, such as the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research, Office of Research Integrity Assurance, Environmental Health and Safety, and the General Counsel office of Ethics and Compliance to develop risk management and tolerance metrics to safeguard Research Security.

- Plan and direct operations of the GTRI organization including staff selection, development and evaluation.

- Ensure the responsible conduct of research, which includes ethical and safe practices.

- Adhere to compliance standards with relevant federal regulations and institutional policies; represent the Institute and provide interface with senior government representatives regarding GT security issues and compliance.

Skills and Competencies

1. Leadership

- Build and manage strategic relationships and team collaboration to accomplish goals:

- Strategies to understand, manage and take risk.

- Set vision and catalyze the need for change.

- Prioritize objectives and resources to meet strategic goals.

- Promote excellence at all levels of the organization:

- Value and foster a culture of innovation, inclusivity, transparency, and accountability.

- Empower and equip individuals and teams to succeed.

- Professionally develop leaders.

- Accountability up and down the management chain, acting responsibly and ensuring employees are behaving professionally and ethically, accept responsibility and ownership for one's actions.

2. Communication

- Effectively conveying information, ideas, and thoughts in a meaningful and understandable way both up and down the supervisory chain.

- Experience in collaborating and working across organizational boundaries.

- Ensure collaboration across all the functions, research labs, support units, and GT academic units.

3. Inclusive Excellence

- Strategies to hire, develop and retain a highly qualified and inclusive team of leaders.

- Develop and promote a culture of inclusion and a community with a shared sense of belonging.

4. Innovation

- Champion a people-first workplace with a focus on agility, diversity, innovation and impact.

- Tools and experience to create a people-first culture.

5. Ethics and Compliance

- Compliance as a competency is acting in accord with rules, policies, procedures and the law.

- In decision making, applying a moral set of principles and applying them responsibly while taking into account the impact of legal, economic, and social consequences.

- Ability to apply the right measures to control and manage recognized risk in day-to-day job-related activities.

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Korn Ferry shall provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified candidates, and will refer candidates without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected basis.