Contract Director of Research (Maternity Leave Cover)

Foreign Policy; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 92,000 - 108,000; Part time

Job summary

Foreign Policy’s FP Analytics division seeks a Director of Research for a 6-month maternity leave cover. The role is part-time (80%), four days per week, based in Washington, DC, with duties spanning research scoping, project execution, and publication oversight.

Collaboration with senior leadership is essential to drive impact. The ideal candidate will hold a Master’s or PhD in a relevant field, bring 10+ years of research experience, and excel in communicating complex analyses to diverse

Qualifications

• Master's degree or PhD in international relations, economics, or public policy or related field.
• At least ten years of relevant professional experience including research design, project management, and team leadership.
• Excellent English writing and oral communication skills for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to mentor a team and work across functions.
• Ability to multitask and deliver projects on time and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Scope and manage short- and long-form research projects from conception to publication.
• Oversee and collaborate with FP Analytics’ research team.
• Conduct due diligence on drafts to ensure accuracy before publication.
• Coordinate with design and web teams on data visualizations and crisis simulations.
• Develop project pitches and support FP Analytics’ growth and success.

Skills

Qualitative research

Quantitative research

Project management

Team leadership

Academic writing

Public speaking

Education

Master's degree or PhD in international relations, economics, or public policy

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Contract Director of Research (Maternity Leave Cover) - Foreign Policy Logo# FOREIGN POLICY## Contract Director of Research (Maternity Leave Cover)Apply: Washington, DC, USA: Part time: Posted 14 Days Ago: JR259162**Job Title**Contract Director of Research (Maternity Leave Cover) **Job Description** FP Analytics, the research and advisory division of *Foreign Policy*, is seeking a Director of Research to join our research team for a **6-month maternity cover at 4 days a week, from approximately January through June 2027.** In collaboration with FP Analytics’ Executive Vice President, the Director of Research will scope and manage both short- and long-form research projects. The Director of Research will also conduct and review quantitative and qualitative research, support the development of crisis simulations, and provide oversight on proprietary and public reports and presentations. The Director of Research will be responsible for managing and guiding a team of analysts and working collaboratively across FP. We are seeking a highly motivated, communicative, and collaborative team member with excellent interpersonal skills who is committed to the organization’s mission and who will bring professionalism, analytical rigor, and creativity to our work. **In this role, you'll be responsible for:*** In collaboration with the FP Analytics’ Executive Vice President and Associate Director of Research, scoping and managing research projects and timelines, including through conception, production, and publication* Overseeing and working collaboratively with the research team* Conducting due diligence on all research drafts to ensure accuracy and clarity before publication* Working closely with graphic design and web development teams on production of data visualizations, interactive microsites, and crisis simulations* Collaborating with FPA team to develop project pitches* Reporting to and working closely with FP Analytics’ Executive Vice President to support FPA’s growth and success **Required qualifications:*** Master's Degree or PhD in international relations, economics, or public policy, or other related field* At least ten years of relevant professional experience, including prior research project design, project management, and team management* Proven track record of high-quality qualitative and quantitative research, analytical rigor, and attention to detail* Excellent English Language writing and oral communication skills, and the ability to write for public, multilateral, and private sector audiences in a clear, concise, and compelling manner* Strong interpersonal skills with ability to motivate, guide, and mentor a team of analysts* Demonstrated ability to multitask effectively and to work independently as well as part of a team to deliver projects on time and on or under budget* Highly proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint* Comfort presenting and interacting with senior executives* Based in Washington, D.C. or New York City, working U.S. Eastern time hours (9 am to 5 pm ET, 4 days a week)* Eligible to work in the U.S. Salary: The **annualized** salary range for this 6-month, part-time (80%) independent contractor position is $92,000 to $108,000. **Location**Washington, DC, USA **Additional Locations** **Time Type**Part time *Foreign Policy* showcases the smartest ideas, analysis, and journalism on global affairs, reaching audiences around the world through its award-winning website, quarterly print magazine, podcasts, and video. Founded in 1970, FP is today a diversified multimedia company, including live events convening top leaders and decision-makers, a research and analytics division, and a thriving audio group.