Director of Research Development, Pardee Institute

University of Denver•Quinte West, ON

1d•$126,000 - $136,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Pardee Institute is an interdisciplinary research institute using International Futures (IFs), the only open-source integrated assessment platform that combines systems dynamics, econometrics, and historical data to forecast interconnected global trends. IFs spans 12 submodules—from economics to environment—capturing how shifts in one system affect others. Its mission is not prediction but enabling deeper understanding, scenario-building, and policy planning for long-term challenges. Grounded in transparency, rigor, and reproducibility, the Institute democratizes access to knowledge about possible futures in sustainable development, climate, and international relations. Its three workstreams—development analysis, geopolitical analysis, and model development—inform strategies that balance policy trade-offs and strengthen global resilience. Since Pardee’s founding, individuals and organizations looking to build understanding about the future have consistently turned to the Institute for its data, tools, and strategic insights. IFs is designed to help users understand dynamics within and across global systems and to think systematically about potential trends, development goals, and targets. People invested in the global future are at the heart of who Pardee serves. Position Summary The Director of Research Development leads the Pardee Institute’s sustainable development research portfolio and is responsible for developing, diversifying, and strengthening that body of work. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for sustainable development research while expanding the funding base, cultivating external partnerships, and developing new opportunities that diversify demand and support long-term portfolio growth. The position combines research leadership, business development, and team management. The Director of Research Development is responsible for shaping and advancing sustainable development research priorities, maintaining strong standards for analytical quality, and building relationships with funders, partners, and other external stakeholders that can generate new work aligned with the Institute’s mission. As a senior member of the Pardee Institute Leadership Team, the Director contributes to broader organizational strategy and represents the Institute in relevant external settings.

Requirements

Masters degree in a social science field; equivalent combination of education and experience
5+ years of experience in high-quality social science research and writing related to sustainable development
Experience working with the International Futures model in model use, vetting, and analysis
Experience functioning within a team, working on and leading multiple projects simultaneously, and meeting deadlines
5+ years supervisory experience, which could include full-time staff members and hourly employees
Demonstrated experience in engaging and managing relationships with external stakeholders
Demonstrated experience in successfully managing all facets of multiple projects simultaneously, which could include the budget, timeline, scope, and communication
Must have a demonstrated commitment to fostering an environment in which faculty, staff, students, and community partners from various backgrounds and cultural identities feel welcome and valued
Advanced understanding of the structure and dynamics of the International Future (IFs) global modeling system and high-level competence in its use for analysis
Demonstrated skills in cultivating and managing partnerships with external sponsors, collaborators, and stakeholders
Demonstrated skills in project management, including (but not limited to): tracking and communicating progress of toward milestones/deliverables, coordinating multiple tasks toward completion, communicating and managing expectations between stakeholders, and budgeting
Excellent technical writing skills for leading and supporting research projects
Highly skilled in presentation of complex concepts, both in research findings and in the International Futures model
Ability to create and give professional quality presentations on IFs topics and research for various audiences
Ability to organize and efficiently manipulate data in Microsoft Excel
Ability to train professionals from diverse disciplines on the application of the IFs model to their respective fields

Nice To Haves

PhD in a social science field related to sustainable development
5+ years of experience working with the International Futures model in model use, vetting, and analysis
7+ years of experience in high quality social science research related to sustainable development
10+ years supervisory experience, which could include full-time staff members and hourly employees
Experience in a lead role in producing successful proposals for external funding
Experience as an effective handler of outside contractors
Experience with using project management software to drive deliverables

Responsibilities

Leads the Institute’s sustainable development research portfolio and is responsible for setting priorities, guiding work across the portfolio, and ensuring that projects align with the Institute’s mission and strategic direction.
Leads the conceptualization, execution, and review of high-quality research products for clients and public audiences and works to maintain rigor, coherence, and relevance across sustainable development research activities.
Collaborates with the IFs model development and data teams to strengthen the Institute’s capacity for policy-relevant analysis and to support the continued evolution of sustainable development research approaches.
Responsible for helping grow and diversify the sustainable development portfolio by expanding funding sources, cultivating strategic partnerships, and developing new research opportunities.
Identifies, pursues, and helps shape opportunities with foundations, philanthropic organizations, and other external partners whose interests align with the Institute’s mission and sustainable development expertise.
Leads and contributes to proposals, concept notes, and related business development efforts; monitors relevant funding landscapes; and works with Institute leadership and University partners to strengthen the pipeline of future work and diversify demand for the portfolio.
Oversees management of the sustainable development portfolio, including project planning, resource allocation, budgeting, and timeline management across multiple efforts.
Sets clear expectations, assigns roles and direction, and maintains strong standards of accountability, communication, and performance across the team.
Supervises and mentors research staff, supports professional development, and develops the capacity of direct and indirect reports.
Identifies and addresses communication breakdowns, resource constraints, and emerging challenges; leads project scoping and planning; exercises sound stewardship of staff time and other resources; and escalates complex or unresolved issues when needed to keep work moving effectively.
Actively participates in strategic planning, organizational decision-making, and the setting of Institute direction, with particular responsibility for advancing the sustainable development portfolio.
Brings informed judgment to leadership discussions, voices perspectives and concerns candidly and constructively, and helps drive the consensus-building process that supports effective leadership decision-making.
Represents the Pardee Institute in engagements with academic, policy, practitioner, funder, and partner communities relevant to sustainable development.
Communicates research findings and the Institute’s analytical capabilities through presentations, publications, workshops, trainings, and other external engagements that strengthen visibility, credibility, and partnership opportunities.
Provides leadership and supervision for research staff within the sustainable development portfolio, including full-time staff and research assistants, with responsibility for setting direction, developing staff capacity, and maintaining strong standards of accountability, communication, and performance.
Maintains clear connection between project goals, assignments, and deliverables; communicates regularly with team members and clients to build shared understanding; and identifies and addresses communication breakdowns, resource constraints, and emerging challenges.
Contributes to project scoping, planning, and shaping; exercises responsible stewardship of staff time and other resources; and ensures that work is executed with professionalism, sound judgment, and attention to quality.
Anticipates issues, escalates complex or unresolved problems as needed, and drives steady progress across the full project lifecycle.