Academic Program Analyst Jobs in Bethesda, MD (NOW HIRING)

Blackrock Strategy, Inc. | National Capital Region

Travel: Occasional travel is expected in support of government leaders, stakeholder engagements, and mission priorities.

Clearance: An active U.S. Secret security clearance is required, with eligibility to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

Location Requirement: Most work will be performed on-site from offices in Arlington, Virginia, and the Pentagon. Candidates must reside within, or be willing to relocate to, the National Capital Region to support recurring on-site customer and mission requirements.

Blackrock Strategy, Inc. (BrS) is a Veteran-Owned Small Business providing analytical, operational, engineering, and technical services supporting the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, and commercial customers. Our teams support policy analysis, program coordination, experimentation, systems integration, operational planning, and technology transition across a broad range of national security programs.

Our mission is to provide tailored expertise that helps customers optimize resources, reduce risk, and make informed decisions in complex and dynamic environments. At Blackrock Strategy, we invest in our people and provide opportunities to contribute to meaningful national security missions while developing professionally within a collaborative, mission-focused team.

Blackrock Strategy is seeking a Program Analyst to support Department of Defense leaders and high-priority national security initiatives within the National Capital Region.

This position will work alongside government leaders, program teams, policy professionals, and external stakeholders to support policy research, program coordination, stakeholder engagement, and the development of high-quality analytical products for senior government decision-makers.

The ideal candidate combines strong policy research and analytical capabilities with exceptional writing, communication, and organizational skills. This position requires the ability to independently manage multiple concurrent workstreams, coordinate across diverse stakeholder groups, and translate complex policy, regulatory, and program information into clear, actionable insights.

Candidates with experience supporting federal policy research, defense or national security policy, government affairs, DoD program environments, or senior government leadership are strongly encouraged to apply.

• 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.

• U.S. Citizenship required
• Active U.S. Secret security clearance
• Must be eligible to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance with SCI access
• Master's degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, or a related field; a bachelor's degree combined with relevant professional experience may be considered
• 1–3 years of experience in federal policy research, defense or national security policy, government affairs, program analysis, or a related field
• Demonstrated 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

• 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 preferred
• 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

• Most work will be performed on-site at customer locations in Arlington, Virginia, and the Pentagon
• Regular interaction with government leaders, program staff, policy professionals, technical experts, and external stakeholders
• Support for multiple concurrent programs, research efforts, and stakeholder-engagement activities in a dynamic Department of Defense environment
• Work may involve classified information, facilities, meetings, and systems consistent with position and clearance requirements
• Occasional travel may be required in support of government leadership and mission priorities

• Competitive compensation
• 401(k) with company matching
• Employer-paid employee medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) option with employer contributions
• Paid time off and parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Referral bonus program

Blackrock Strategy, Inc. is a federal contractor and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a workplace free from discrimination. We recruit, hire, and advance qualified individuals based on merit, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

We also take affirmative action to employ and advance veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact our Human Resources department.