Managing Director, Governance Studies

Position: Managing Director, Governance Studies (Job ID: 2026-3812)
Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tanks!

The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national and global level.

We bring together leading experts in government and academia from all over the world, rooted in open-minded inquiry and representing diverse points of view, who provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis. Research topics cover a full range of public policy issues in economics, foreign policy, development, governance and metropolitan policy.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers both professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive and welcoming workplace that values the efforts of all contributors.

The Governance Studies program at Brookings is dedicated to analyzing policy issues, political institutions and processes, and contemporary governance challenges. Our scholarship identifies areas in need of reform and proposes specific solutions with the goals of improving the performance of the national government, informing debate, and providing policymakers with expert analysis and ideas to ensure better institutional governance.

Position Location:

This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of at least two days of remote work each week.

Responsibilities

Ready to contribute to Brookings' success?

The Managing Director reports and serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President (VP) and Director of Governance Studies (GS), a $13M, 49-person policy research program at Brookings (Program) that works to strengthen America's democratic institutions and processes. The Managing Director oversees and advises on a wide range of strategic and operational issues, translates the VP's strategy in to operational plans, collaborates with research teams and other stakeholders to ensure high-quality outcomes in alignment with program priorities and Institutional policy goals, leads change management efforts across the Program, and ensures the Program's teams have the support and resources required to achieve their objectives.

The Managing Director represents GS on the Institution's management team and serves as a primary point of contact for GS staff and cross-institutional stakeholders.

Project and Research Management (40%)

* Enhance success of GS projects and other research activities by working with scholars and other stakeholders to provide input and guidance throughout the full project lifecycle from idea conception to project completion, including providing input into project ideas with an eye towards impact and audience, coordinating and communicating with other research programs as relevant, and ensuring consistency of projects with Program priorities and shared policy goals.

* Work with Development to provide strategic input into funding proposals for specific projects; work with Finance to provide input into and understand project budgets and ensure strategic alignment between the overall program budget and goals of the program.

* Evaluate, plan for, and oversee staffing and other external and non-human resourcing for GS and its projects, centers, and initiatives.

* Provide strategy, guidance, and feedback to teams on all communications products, including media and events, to ensure quality and alignment with policy goals, compliance with institutional policies, and consistency with resource allocation decisions.

* Partner with central and Program Communications to develop an impact and communications plan and support the quality review process for all research products, ensuring highest quality research and publications.

* Partner with research teams to develop timelines, prioritize, and ensure on-time completion of project deliverables.

* Serve as main operational point of contact for cross-program coordination and collaboration.

* Oversee partnerships for GS and…