Director - Renewing American Innovation

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS); Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) seeks a senior program leader for the Research and Analysis Initiative (RAI) to guide strategy, oversee multi-disciplinary research, and engage policymakers and media. The role involves fundraising, program growth, and cross-team collaboration.

The ideal candidate has 12–15 years of experience plus a graduate degree, with a track record in policy analysis, publications, and building high-performing teams.

Qualifications

• Minimum 12–15 years of experience and a graduate degree related to RAI core competencies.
• Track record of senior-level experience in policy areas noted above; private sector or nonprofit experience is a plus.
• Publication track record in national/international media or academic journals on RAI topics.
• Experience raising funds for research projects is a plus but not required.
• Demonstrated ability to build a high-performing policy team.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with proactive prioritization and policy-relevant solutions.
• Excellent verbal, written, and communication skills with stakeholders and media.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-quality research, publications (commentaries, briefs, reports, podcasts, videos) and engagement with policymakers and media.
• Leverage CSIS EST platform and convening power to elevate policy issues and stakeholder dialogue; track program contributions.
• Develop a strategic plan for ongoing evolution and growth of the program, aligning priorities with interests.
• Provide direction to ensure team, programming, and organizational success; build outreach plans to target audiences.
• Grow donor support to fund program costs and maintain relationships with current donors; write proposals for new opportunities.
• Ensure sound financial stewardship including budgeting and accounting.
• Lead a talented team to execute the work of RAI; mentor staff and interns; collaborate with CSIS programs.

Skills

Leadership

Fundraising

Policy analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Education

Graduate degree in relevant area (RAI)

Job description

Job Summary

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Research And Thought Leadership

• Lead high-quality research, written and multi-media publications (commentaries, briefs, reports, podcasts, videos), and engagement with stakeholders including U.S. and foreign policy makers and the media.
• Leverage the EST/CSIS platform and convening power to elevate emerging policy issues, foster the exchange of ideas, and facilitate informed dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and other stakeholders. Track the program's contribution to policy discussions, thought leadership, and stakeholder engagement.

Strategy And Vision For Impact

• Develop a strategic plan for the continued evolution and growth of the program that advances high-priority policy research and analysis, identifying areas where the program's expertise, EST strategic priorities, and supporter interests intersect to create meaningful research, convening, and engagement opportunities.
• Provide direction and inspiration to ensure team, programming, and organizational success.
• Build a thoughtful communication and outreach plan to reach target audiences.

Financial Stewardship, Fundraising, And Donor Management

• Grow the base of donor support to fund program costs including personnel, overhead, travel, and other costs. This includes building an annual program fundraising strategy, developing concepts and writing proposals for new opportunities, maintaining relationships with current donors, and fostering new partnerships.
• Ensure sounding financial stewardship of the program including budgeting and accounting.

Team Leadership

• Lead a talented team to execute the work of RAI. Provide supervision and active mentoring of staff, including research interns.
• Collaborate with other CSIS programs on research, publications, and events, and contribute to the overall success of CSIS.

Knowledge, Education, And Experience

• Minimum 12-15 years of experience and a graduate degree in an area related to RAI core competencies (i.e., the role of IP and standards; strategic capital and reindustrialization; regional innovation; and the role of basic and applied science).
• A track record of senior-level experience, including in the private or non-profit sectors in 1 or more policy areas noted above. Private sector or investment experience is a plus.
• Publication track record in national and international media and/or in academic journals on RAI topics.
• Previous experience raising funds for research projects is a plus but not a requirement.
• Demonstrated experience building a high performing team of policy professionals.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive approach to identifying challenges, setting priorities, and implementing policy-relevant solutions.
• Excellent verbal, written, and communication skills, with an ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from stakeholders and media.
• Ability to work well with colleagues across CSIS to cultivate productive, interdisciplinary engagement.

Salary Range : $150,000 USD - $250,000 USD

Physical Requirements And Work Conditions

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity Employer.