Program Director, China and East Asia

Lowy Institute; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lowy Institute in Sydney seeks a Program Director for China and East Asia to lead research and public engagement on the region. You will set the program’s analytical direction, oversee original research, and coordinate events and outreach while representing the Institute to government, media, and the corporate sector.

You will work with colleagues across Indo-Pacific programs, manage a team, and report to the Director of Research. Ten years in China/Northeast Asian affairs required.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated capacity to produce original research and high quality policy analysis.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills for broad audiences.
• Strong stakeholder engagement across government, business, and civil society.
• An advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Working proficiency in Mandarin, Japanese, or Korean.
• Direct experience with Australian or likeminded government policy processes.
• An established media profile as a commentator on China and East Asia.
• Experience managing programs, teams, or budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Institute’s research and public engagement on China and its immediate neighbourhood (Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong).
• Set the program’s analytical direction and oversee original research.
• Oversee events and outreach; represent the Institute to government, media, and the corporate sector.

Skills

Original research

Policy analysis

Written & oral communication

Stakeholder engagement

Advanced degree

Mandarin/Japanese/Korean

Australian policy processes

Media profile

Program/teams/budget management

Education

Advanced degree

Job description

The Lowy Institute is Australia’s leading international policy think tank. It is independent, non-partisan and at the centre of Australia’s foreign policy and national security debates. Located in Sydney, the Institute produces world-class research and provides distinctive perspectives on the trends shaping Australia and the world. Our work engages governments, media, and policy communities in Australia and internationally, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region.

The Institute is seeking an exceptional Program Director to lead its China and East Asia Program.

ABOUT THE LOWY INSTITUTE

The Lowy Institute is Australia’s leading international policy think tank. It is independent, non-partisan and at the centre of Australia’s foreign policy and national security debates. Located in Sydney, the Institute produces world-class research and provides distinctive perspectives on the trends shaping Australia and the world. Our work engages governments, media, and policy communities in Australia and internationally, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region.

The Institute is seeking an exceptional Program Director to lead its China and East Asia Program.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Program Director for China and East Asia leads the Institute’s research and public engagement on China and its immediate neighbourhood: Taiwan, Japan, the Korean Peninsula and Hong Kong. This is a senior role within the Institute’s research leadership, with responsibility for setting the program’s analytical direction, producing original research, overseeing events and outreach, and representing the Institute across government, media, and the corporate sector.

The Program Director works alongside counterparts leading programs across the Indo-Pacific, including Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, International Security and other areas, and reports to the Director of Research.

ABOUT YOU

Candidates will have a minimum of ten years’ professional experience in China and Northeast Asian affairs, with deep knowledge of the region’s strategic, political, and economic dynamics. Experience may span think tanks, government, journalism, academia, or the corporate sector.

• Demonstrated capacity to produce original research and high quality policy analysis
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including for non-specialist audiences
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills across government, business, and civil society
• An advanced degree in a relevant field
• Working proficiency in Mandarin, Japanese, or Korean
• Direct experience with Australian or likeminded government policy processes
• An established media profile as a commentator on China and East Asia
• Experience managing programs, teams, or budgets

The successful candidate will join the organisation at a level commensurate with experience, and with salary and benefits set accordingly.