Deputy Director

About the East-West Center

The East-West Center (EWC) promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the U.S. Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options.

The Center’s 21‑acre Honolulu campus, adjacent to the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, includes conference facilities, three residence halls, and an office building that houses research, program, and administrative activities. The Center also has an office in Washington, D.C., that provides accessibility to U.S. regional government stakeholders and program partners.

Our Research team is currently seeking a Deputy Director who can provide exceptional administrative and intellectual leadership to the program. This position ensures all operational activities and funding proposals are compatible with the East-West Center’s mission and objectives, and assists in directing program resources and project planning.

• Assist Director in achieving program objectives by coordinating work among program units, allocating resources, and providing timely direction.
• Assist with the development, evaluation, and documentation of program activities and deliverable outcomes.
• Establish necessary standards and procedures to ensure priorities are met and Center policies are followed.
• Assist with strategic planning to ensure future Program needs and external requirements are met.
• Oversee program resources including equipment, computer support, telephone services, and other support services, managing property and space, supplies, and services needed for the Program.
• Assist Director in overseeing the resource information and research publications for the Program.
• Assist Director in seeking funding for the Research Program and its staff, identifying aligned projects, developing work plans, and collaborating across departments within the Center.
• Review all proposals for funding generated from the research staff and monitor the delivery of results to the funding agencies.
• Assist in budget planning for the Program, monitor spending, and reallocate funds appropriately to achieve program objectives while maintaining compliance with contracts, grants, and fiscal policies.
• Represent Director at designated meetings when VPRD is unavailable, including EWC management meetings.
• Provide weekly feedback regarding status to program initiatives, projects, events, goals, and workflows, identify roadblocks, and recommend remedies.
• Assist with external relations and communication with stakeholders in Hawaii, the U.S. Mainland, and the Asia‑Pacific region, handling hosted events as assigned.

• Oversee performance of administrative tasks for the Program and its staff, ensuring adequate support for program activities.
• Identify actual or potential problem areas and trends, gather appropriate information, and recommend remedial action.
• Review all contracts and memorandums drafted within the unit and collaborate with the VPRD in drafting activity descriptions, justification narratives, and payment schedules.
• Coordinate execution of the Center’s priority projects with Visiting Fellows and other researchers, developing policies and procedures that facilitate their execution.
• Assist and support the work of the Research Program publications manager.
• Assist with preparation and coordination of grant proposals, reviewing and editing proposals for accuracy.
• Collaborate with Fiscal to ensure compliance with funding source requirements and with HR in processing appropriate documents.
• Participate in program meetings, including program retreats, for development and coordination.

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership to support a high‑performance work environment aligned with the Center’s mission.
• Supervise unit staff, setting work priorities, directing workflow, organizing schedules, and managing time‑off requests.
• Establish goals and criteria for the unit…