Strategy Director – International Defense Strategy

Job Description

Director of International Strategy | Persistent Systems, LLC

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at Persistent Systems, LLC, located in New York, NY. Persistent Systems, LLC is a global communications technology company that develops, manufactures, and integrates a patented and secure Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) system called Wave Relay®. This Director of International Strategy will serve as the crucial link between the company’s corporate strategy and its international sales organization, driving the planning and execution of its global market entry, particularly for foreign military sales and security cooperation programs. This role is critical for advancing Wave Relay® capabilities across multi-domain operations in key global regions.

The TL;DR
• Role: Full Time
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, New York, NY
• Pay: $171000–$217000 yearly
• Team: Matrixed between Corporate Strategy and International Sales
• Mission: Advance Wave Relay® capabilities across multi-domain operations in key global regions by leading international go-to-market strategy.
• Tech Stack: Wave Relay®, MANET, JADC2, multi-domain networking, C2 systems, tactical communications

What You’ll Actually Do
• Strategy Leadership: Lead the development and execution of Persistent Systems’ international strategy, aligning FMS pipeline priorities with the company’s technology roadmap for MANET, JADC2, and multi-domain networking solutions.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Serve as the primary interface between corporate strategy and the International Sales team, ensuring coordinated pursuit of FMS requests and compliance with technology transfer and export frameworks.
• Executive Advising: Advise senior leadership on security cooperation trends, Theater Security Cooperation plans, and partner nation capability development needs across various foreign military organizations.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Develop and manage relationships with key stakeholders at the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), in-country Security Cooperation Offices (SCOs), and relevant foreign liaison offices.
• Compliance & Communication: Coordinate with legal and compliance teams on export control, end-user monitoring, and international certification pathways, and author strategy communications for diverse stakeholders.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Director level role requiring a minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in defense, with a demonstrated focus on security cooperation, FMS program management, or international defense acquisition.
• Experience: Direct, hands-on experience managing Foreign Military Sales cases through either the Department of Defense or Department of State processes, including familiarity with the Security Assistance Management Manual (SAMM) and FMS case execution lifecycles.
• Skills: Deep understanding of ITAR, EAR, and U.S. export control regulations; ability to navigate complex interagency environments involving DSCA, OUSD(P), geographic Combatant Commands, and U.S. Embassy Country Teams; active Secret security clearance required.
• Bonus: Prior military service or senior defense civilian experience with exposure to multi-domain networking, C2 systems, or tactical communications; experience supporting security cooperation activities in the Indo-Pacific, European Command, or CENTCOM theaters; established relationships with foreign military liaison officers.