Dean, Center for Naval Warfare Studies

The President, U.S. Naval War College, invites applications for the position of Dean, Center for Naval Warfare Studies in Newport, RI. This opening is a senior leadership position at the Naval War College heading the primary research arm of the college.

The Naval War College is a Professional Military Education (PME) institution serving the nation, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Navy. U.S. and selected international graduates earn Master of Arts degrees in National Security & Strategic Studies or Defense & Strategic Studies accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.  The College educates and develops future leaders through the development of strategic perspective, critical thinking, and cultural awareness, as well as enhancing the capability to advise senior leaders and policy makers.  The College also helps to define the future Navy and its roles and missions; supports combat readiness; strengthens global maritime partnerships; and promotes ethics and leadership throughout the force.  We are actively seeking candidates with diverse academic, demographic, and professional backgrounds.  More information on the college can be found at www.usnwc.edu

Center for Naval Warfare Studies.  The Center for Naval Warfare Studies (CNWS) is the primary research organization of the Naval War College. Faculty and staff produce a wide range of independent and sponsored unclassified and classified research and analysis on issues of war, peace, national security, regional security, and public international law -- all with particular attention to issues related to naval warfare and the maritime domain.  This research is, as appropriate, published and provided in various forms to the leadership and staffs of the Navy, the other services, the Department of Defense including the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Staff, other elements of the U.S. government, the defense establishments of Allies and partners, and the broader national security community.  The research also is infused into curriculum at the Naval War College. Faculty and staff use a wide range of research and analytic methods.  The goal is for research outputs to be integrated with one another and with other analytic endeavors across the Defense Department, the U.S. government, and the broader analytic community.  Wargaming is a significant component of the activities of CNWS given the expertise resident at NWC and the foundational role of wargaming as part of the college’s missions and curriculum.  CNWS faculty also support the Naval War College curriculum through teaching in the electives and distance education programs and providing wargaming design, execution, and other support for resident and distance students.

CNWS consists of three departments and the Naval War College Press:  1) the Stockton Center for International Law; 2) the Strategic and Operational Research Department; and 3) the Wargaming Department. Within the Strategic and Operational Research Department are a number of centers, institutes, and advanced research groups:  the Brodie Group, the China Maritime Studies Institute, the Cyber Innovation and Policy Institute (with the Gravely Program), the Institute for Future Warfare Studies, the Halsey Alfa Group, the Halsey Bravo Group, the Holloway Group, the Mahan Scholars Program, and the Russia Maritime Studies Institute.  Further information on these departments, their faculty, and their sub-entities can be found on the Naval War College’s website:  https://usnwc.edu/ under Research and Wargaming and Faculty and Departments.  CNWS faculty and staff are a mix of civilians with advanced degrees (most at the doctoral level), active duty and retired military officers and enlisted personnel, and civilian and contractor support staff.

Dean, Center for Naval Warfare Studies.  The Dean, Center for Naval Warfare Studies, is the senior research officer at the college.  As such, the Dean oversees the research work undertaken by its departments, faculty and staff.  As part of managing and shaping the research agenda, the Dean develops and expands a far-reaching network of contacts within the naval, joint, and broader national security community.  Specifically, the Dean develops and expands an understanding of the research and analysis needs of senior Navy, joint, and civilian leaders in the Department of Defense and the U.S. interagency.  The Dean creates and manages the CNWS budget, faculty, manpower and personnel issues, and the organization of CNWS departments.  The Dean is part of the senior leadership team at the college, reporting to the Provost, and in concert with the Provost and other senior leaders, advising the President, Naval War College, on policy, procedures, and resource issues that affect the overall missions of the Naval War College.

Qualifications and Competencies.  Candidates must have an advanced degree and significant experience in researching and analyzing national security issues and strategic and operational warfare issues and concepts.  A Master’s degree is required, a Ph.D. is highly preferred.  Candidates without a Ph.D. must demonstrate knowledge of research design and methods. Candidates must have significant experience in research and analysis on national security and/or warfare issues.  Candidates who have supervised research and analysis on national security and/or warfare issues highly preferred.

Desired attributes include:  knowledge of U.S. and foreign naval and joint capabilities and concepts of operations; knowledge of or equivalent practical experience with advanced technology and functional military capabilities; knowledge of naval and joint warfare in all phases of operations from peace time to high-end combat; knowledge of how research supports the work of policymakers in the Navy and DOD; and knowledge of and connections with research entities outside the Navy/DOD enterprise.  Experience may have been gained by leading and conducting research, systems analysis, systems operation, and/or development and execution of warfighting operations, tactics, techniques, and procedures within the Department of Defense, other national security organizations, or research organizations.  Experience working on research teams as well as wargaming experience is preferred, but not required. Experience making and managing budgets and managing a knowledge-based workforce is highly preferred.

Candidates must be U.S. citizens and capable of obtaining a Department of Defense TOP SECRET/SCI security clearance.  The selected candidate will be subject to a pre-employment drug screening test and to random drug testing thereafter.

Salary Considerations.  Salary is competitive and accompanied by a generous federal benefit package that includes health insurance and retirement saving plans, paid vacation, paid sick leave, and other benefits.  Rank and salary are commensurate with experience and credentials in accordance with the Department of the Navy Faculty Pay Schedule.

Applications.  Applicants must reference VA#NWC-21-05 and submit their application package to:  nwc-21-05@usnwc.edu.  The application package must include:  (1) cover letter, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) names and contact information for three references. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 pm (EDT), 28 June 2021.

NOTICE OF VETERANS PREFERENCE:  There is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference to the excepted service; however, the Department of Defense considers veterans’ preference eligibility a positive factor for hiring.  Applicants eligible for veterans’ preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty") to their submissions.  Although the point-preference system is not used, applicants eligible to claim 10-Point preference must submit a Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference," and supporting documents required for specific type of preference claimed. (SF 15, which lists the types of 10-Point Preference and the required supporting documents, is available from the Office of Personnel Management Website at www.opm.gov.) 

Within the Department of Defense (DoD), the appointment of retired military members within 180 days immediately following retirement dated to a civilian position is subject to the provisions of 5 United States Code 3326.

Questions should be directed to the hiring committee chair, Dr. Andrew Winner, at winnera@usnwc.edu.

The Naval War College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.