Job Description

The Manager, Strategy and Defense Partnership orchestrates the coordination and program tracking of strategic initiatives and partnerships across the defense and national security ecosystem. This role focuses on integration, alignment, and follow-through—ensuring that strategy, leadership direction, and partnership activities are translated into organized action. This role serves as a critical connector between executive leadership, government stakeholders, and industry partners—ensuring strategic priorities are translated into disciplined execution across a complex defense ecosystem.

The role is not quota-based business development; instead, it focuses on strategic alignment, partnership effectiveness, and operational follow-through in support of national security objectives. Success is defined by clarity, coordination, and consistent execution across government, industry, academic, and public-sector stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy Coordination & Execution

• Coordinating and track strategic initiatives aligned with DoD and national security priorities
• Translate senior leadership strategic direction into integrated strategy plans, schedules, visual articulations, and coordination activities
• Maintain visibility into initiative status, milestones, and dependencies
• Monitor defense policy, acquisition trends, and ecosystem dynamics to inform leadership decision-making
  
  

Partnership Coordination

• Manage partnership cadence, expectations, and deliverables across multi-party collaborations
• Support partnership formation and sustainment, including MOUs, CRADAs, OT-related engagements, and consortium models
• Establish and implement steering committees, working groups, and executive reviews
• Track partnership activities, commitments, deliverables, and follow-up actions
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as a reliable point of contact for partners on coordination, scheduling, and follow-through
• Prepare and execution of stakeholder forums, site visits, and briefings
• Capture meeting outcomes and ensure timely communication and action item closure
  
  

Internal Integration & Operations

• Coordinate across internal teams to align partnership activities with organizational priorities and capacity
• Create a common framework on how strategy and partnerships are executed and tracked
• Provide forward-looking recommendations to enhance strategic positioning and partnership leverage
  
  

What Success Looks Like

• Defense-critical initiatives move from strategy to execution with clarity, discipline, and predictability
• Government and industry partners experience the organization as credible, responsive, and operationally mature
• Senior leadership relies on this role for sound judgment, situational awareness, and execution confidence
• Cross-functional teams remain aligned without escalation or rework
• Partnerships deliver measurable mission and program outcomes
  
  

Qualifications

Experience and Skills

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in business, public administration, communications, engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 8+ years of experience in defense, national security, government-adjacent strategy, or complex partnership environments
• Demonstrated success executing initiatives involving DoD, federal agencies, defense contractors, or federally funded programs
• Strong understanding of defense ecosystem dynamics, stakeholder expectations, and operating constraints
• Proven ability to operate independently in high-visibility, high-ambiguity environments
• Strong organizational, communication, and coordination skills
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and priorities simultaneously
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaboration tools
  
  

Preferred

• Experience with OTAs, CRADAs, consortia, or public-private partnership models
• Familiarity with defense acquisition, compliance frameworks, and information-control requirements
• Background in strategy, management consulting, or enterprise program leadership
  
  

Why This Role Matters

This role ensures that strategy and partnerships do not stall at the concept stage. By providing disciplined coordination and follow-through, the Strategy and Partnership Manager enables leadership, partners, and programs to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Job Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance Coverage
• Life/ADD & Short/Long Term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
• Paid Time-Off (PTO)
• Holidays
• Education Reimbursement

Kratos Defense is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer. EOE, Minorities, Females, Vet, Disabled, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or any other protected class. All qualified job seekers are encouraged to apply. Kratos Defense is committed to America's veterans by providing opportunities for them to continue contributing after service to our nation. We also work to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

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