Director - Renewing American Innovation
About The Position
The Director leads the Center for Strategic and International Studies’ Renewing American Innovation (RAI) program, one of seven programs in the Economic Security and Technology Department. RAI works to strengthen the policies, incentives, and capabilities that enable the United States to accelerate innovation. Its next phase will address the American innovation system amid geopolitical, market, and technological shifts, including the AI revolution, with core competencies in intellectual property and standards, strategic capital and reindustrialization, regional innovation, and basic and applied science. Reporting directly to the EST President, the Director works closely with the EST Vice President, other program directors, and colleagues across CSIS. The role guides RAI’s strategy and research, builds the program’s impact and partnerships, manages fundraising and financial stewardship, and leads and mentors its team. The Director also advances collaboration with the broader EST Department through research products and convenings involving government, industry, and the investment community.
Requirements
- 12–15 years of experience and a graduate degree in an area related to RAI’s core competencies: intellectual property and standards, strategic capital and reindustrialization, regional innovation, or basic and applied science.
- Senior-level experience, including in the private or nonprofit sectors, in one or more of the stated policy areas.
- Publication record in national and international media and/or academic journals on RAI topics.
- Demonstrated experience building a high-performing team of policy professionals.
- Entrepreneurial mindset and proactive approach to identifying challenges, setting priorities, and implementing policy-relevant solutions.
- Excellent verbal, written, and communication skills, including the ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from stakeholders and media.
- Ability to work well with colleagues across CSIS and cultivate productive interdisciplinary engagement.
Nice To Haves
- Private-sector or investment experience.
- Previous experience raising funds for research projects.
Responsibilities
- Lead high-quality research and produce written and multimedia publications, including commentaries, briefs, reports, podcasts, and videos.
- Engage with stakeholders, including U.S. and foreign policymakers and the media.
- Use the EST and CSIS platforms and convening capabilities to elevate emerging policy issues and foster dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders, academics, and other stakeholders.
- Track the program’s contributions to policy discussions, thought leadership, and stakeholder engagement.
- Develop a strategic plan for the program’s continued evolution and growth, aligning policy research with EST priorities and supporter interests.
- Provide direction and inspiration to support team, programming, and organizational success.
- Develop a communication and outreach plan for target audiences.
- Grow donor support, including developing an annual fundraising strategy, creating concepts and proposals, maintaining current donor relationships, and building new partnerships.
- Ensure sound financial stewardship, including program budgeting and accounting.
- Lead, supervise, and actively mentor program staff, including research interns.
- Collaborate with other CSIS programs on research, publications, and events, and contribute to CSIS’s overall success.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Director
