Strategy & Business Planning Consultant

Spirit of America•Arlington, VA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Spirit of America seeks a mid-level strategy and business planning consultant to lead the development of a comprehensive business plan for a proposed national security consortium. The consultant will be responsible for: Translating a clearly articulated problem statement and vision into an implementable organizational model Defining the consortium’s mission, value proposition, governance, funding model, and operating plan Producing a business plan suitable for donor engagement, philanthropic investment, and partner recruitment This is not an academic exercise. The output must be decision grade: concrete, pragmatic, and credible to senior donors, national security practitioners, and institutional partners.

Requirements

7–12 years of experience in strategy, business planning, or organizational design
Demonstrated experience working in or around national security, defense, foreign policy, or conflict-affected environments
Strong familiarity with: U.S. government and military institutions (DoW, State, etc.), Academic and policy ecosystems, NGOs and practitioner communities
Proven ability to turn conceptual vision into executable plans
Excellent writing skills for senior, nontechnical audiences
Comfortable engaging with senior stakeholders and subject matter experts
Strong understanding of and experience using AI tools

Nice To Haves

Experience developing business plans for: Nonprofits, Consortia, Research or policy institutions
Background in stability operations, peace operations, counterinsurgency, or post conflict environments
Experience working with or briefing philanthropic donors
Familiarity with digital knowledge platforms or communities of practice

Responsibilities

Synthesize the core problem into a clear strategic narrative
Articulate why this problem cannot be solved within government alone and requires an external, sustained consortium
Define the consortium’s mission and vision
Define the consortium’s core functions: Managing existing knowledge, Expanding expert knowledge, Assisting practitioners with real world challenges
Clarify the consortium’s unique value proposition relative to: Government institutions, Academic centers, Think tanks, NGOs and contractors
Propose a realistic organizational structure, including: Legal/organizational form options, Governance and advisory structures, Relationship to Spirit of America and external partners
Define roles for: Academic institutions, Professional military education entities, DoW regional centers, Department of State / Foreign Service training ecosystems, NGOs and practitioner communities
Translate the vision into a phased plan of action, including: Digital library and searchable knowledge platform, How an AI advisory tool could be utilized, Conferences, workshops, simulations, and research initiatives, Fellowships, chairs, or practitioner in residence models Community of practice networking and collaboration mechanisms
Identify which elements should be: Launched immediately, Piloted, Deferred or scaled later
Develop a realistic funding model, including: Startup and early operating costs, Philanthropic funding pathways, Long-term sustainability options (grants, endowments, partnerships)
Frame the business plan for major donor audiences (not government procurement)
A polished written business plan suitable for: Board level review, Donor briefings, Partner recruitment
Supporting materials as needed (executive summary, visuals, appendices)