Joint Planning & Special Activities Lead

Join our team at Core One! Our mission is to be at the forefront of devising analytical, operational and technical solutions to our Nation's most complex national security challenges. In order to achieve our mission, Core One values people first! We are committed to recruiting, nurturing, and retaining top talent! We offer a competitive total compensation package that sets us apart from our competition. Core One is a team-oriented, dynamic, and growing company that values exceptional performance!

*This position requires TS/SCI* 

We are seeking a highly experienced Joint Planning & Special Activities Lead to support the planning and execution of operations in direct support of the J39 Special Activities Branch at United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). This individual will serve as a senior advisor and planning resource, providing expert guidance on special activities, joint operational planning, and policy development across a complex, multi-stakeholder environment. The ideal candidate will bring a strong joint staff background, deep familiarity with DoD planning processes, and the ability to advise senior leadership with confidence and minimal oversight.

Responsibilities:

• Support the planning and execution of special activities operations, ensuring alignment with J39 Special Activities Branch priorities and applicable DoD policies and directives.
• Provide expert advisory support to senior military and Government civilian leadership on issues relevant to J39 Special Activities Branch planning efforts, operational requirements, and strategic priorities.
• Represent the program at conferences, working groups, interagency coordination meetings, and senior leadership forums, providing substantive contributions with minimal Government guidance.
• Coordinate with Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), Joint Task Forces (JTFs), and Service components to synchronize planning efforts and ensure unity of effort across operational theaters.
• Lead and manage a diverse team of technical and functional subject matter experts, providing day-to-day direction, task prioritization, and performance oversight.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with Government agencies, media organizations, regional stakeholders, and interagency partners to align messaging, drive process improvements, and meet deliverable timelines.
• Develop and deliver high-quality briefings, presentations, and decision papers for consumption by General Officers, Flag Officers, Senior Executive Service (SES) officials, and Secretariat-level leadership within DoD and other government agencies.
• Ensure all contractor activities comply with applicable USSOCOM directives, J39 policies, security protocols, and contractual requirements.
• Maintain current awareness of evolving joint doctrine, special operations policy, and interagency developments relevant to assigned planning areas.

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum five (5) years of military or DoD experience producing orders, plans, annexes, and appendices in accordance with DoD Joint planning guidance.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience within the last five (5) years serving as a staff member at a Combatant Command (CCMD), Theater Special Operations Command (TSOC), Joint Task Force (JTF), Service component, or Joint Staff in a plans or operations capacity.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in program or project management, including demonstrated experience leading diverse, technical teams of five or more members.
• Ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships with government agencies, media organizations, and regional stakeholders to align messaging, drive process improvements, and ensure on-time delivery of program objectives.
• TS/SCI Clearance

Desired Qualifications:

• Eligibility for a Counterintelligence Polygraph (CI).
• Minimum three (3) years of experience developing briefings, presentations, and decision papers for senior leadership at the General Officer, Flag Officer, Senior Executive Service (SES), or Secretariat level within DoD or other government agencies.
• Prior military service at the senior non-commissioned officer (E-8/E-9) or commissioned officer (O-4 and above) level, preferably within Special Operations Forces (SOF), Information Operations, or Civil Affairs.
• Formal professional education in joint planning, special operations, or Information Operations, such as completion of the Joint Planning Orientation Course (JPOC), School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS), or equivalent service school.

Core One is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.

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