Director - Economics Program & Scholl Chair in International Business at Center for Strategic and International Studies, Inc.

At CSIS we actively seek to employ a diverse group of people who embody our organizational values. We welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups.

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 200 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

A key pillar of CSIS, the Economic Security and Technology Department (EST) serves as a center of excellence for strategic insights and policy solutions for the United States and its partners to sustain economic and technological advantages essential to their long-term prosperity, security, and resilience in the face of global threats. The Department and its nearly dozen programs, projects and initiatives focus on areas shaping global technology and commercial competition and their role in national security—economic policies related to trade, investment, intellectual property, and innovation; advanced and strategic technologies such as AI, semiconductors, digital, quantum, and cybersecurity; energy security and climate, as well as economic relations with China and with partners.

EST seeks a Director of the Economics Program and Scholl Chair in International Business to focus on international economic issues and how they impact U.S. competitiveness and economic security. Key areas of focus will include trade policy (to include tariffs, antidumping and countervailing duties, and export controls), supply chain resilience, investment policy (to include investment screening), international finance, commercial diplomacy, and new economic alliances.

The salary band for this role is $150,000 - $200,000, commensurate with experience.

Essential duties and responsibilities

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Strategy and Research Leadership
   • Under the guidance of the EST President, develop a robust research agenda on trade, investment, international finance, supply chain resilience, commercial diplomacy, and new economic alliances; and how they impact U.S. competitiveness and economic security.
   • Serve as a thought leader in Washington in one or more of the above topic areas.
   • Position the Economics Program to contribute to, and where relevant, spearhead the EST Department’s strategic research priorities.
   • Contribute to and where relevant, lead EST-wide signature products and flagship studies.
   • Serve as an adviser to the EST President and CSIS leadership on economic security issues.
2. Outreach and External Engagement
   • Identify opportunities for funding, thought partnership with the private sector and investment community, and more generally, broadening the base of support for the EST economics agenda.
   • Cultivate an excellent professional network and liaise productively with other organizations.
   • Promote the program’s research and insights with a diverse set of stakeholders, including government officials on the Hill and in the Administration, the media, the private sector, academia, as well as policymakers and researchers in partner countries.
3. Institutional Responsibilities
   • Serve on the EST leadership team, develop joint projects with other program directors, and advise the EST President on how the Program can contribute to Department-wide strategy.
   • Identify funding opportunities and develop robust research proposals in line with the CSIS EST priorities and research agenda.
   • Contribute to the thought leadership and strategic direction of the Department.
   • Partner with Deputy Director in running the Program, and mentor research assistants and analysts to facilitate their professional development.
   • Attract and build a world-class team with economics and related analytical expertise.
   • Mentor research analysts to ensure quality research and professional development.

Knowledge, education, and experience

• 12+ years of relevant experience and master’s degree in a relevant field.
• Previous experience working in government or industry. Management experience is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience managing a research agenda. Previous experience fundraising for research projects is preferred.
• History of publishing in national and international media and in academic journals, preferred.
• A track record of building and maintaining relationships with contacts related to policy work, including in the U.S. and foreign governments.
• 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.

Physical requirements and work conditions

This position will be based out of our Washington DC headquarters and is expected to be in-office.

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

How to apply

Interested applicants should submit:

• A 1-2 page cover letter followed by a 1-2 page resume in a single PDF document. Please title the document “[Your name] cover letter and resume.” The cover letter should clearly demonstrate why you are interested in this position and what distinguishes your background from other applicants.
• A writing sample (up to 5 pages; may be an excerpt from a longer piece) on a relevant topic. Please title the document “[Your name] writing sample.”

Applications should be submitted via careers.csis.org. Please do not submit additional materials (references, transcripts) etc. These will be requested if needed during the interview process.

CSIS is a bipartisan, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. The Center’s 220 full-time staff and large network of affiliated scholars conduct research and analysis and develop policy initiatives that look to the future and anticipate change.

We are an equal opportunity employer. Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, age, disability, religion, national origin, color or any other protected class.