Managing Director, The Hamilton Project (Job ID: 2026-3887)

The Brookings Institution•Washington, DC

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Brookings Institution, a leading nonprofit public policy organization, is seeking a Managing Director for The Hamilton Project (THP). THP focuses on creating a growing economy that benefits more Americans through research and policy proposals. The role involves developing and executing outreach and communications strategies, organizing policy forums and events, managing staff and finances, and providing strategic guidance on research and product development. The position is hybrid, requiring regular in-person presence at the Washington, DC office with two days of remote work allowed per week. THP's work spans macroeconomics and applied microeconomics, with recent projects including tax reform, social insurance, labor market responses to AI, early childhood education, healthcare, and climate change.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree.
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in government, public policy, a think tank, or a similar policy-focused environment.
Background in public policy or economics, with demonstrated project management experience.
Experience leading strategic communications, stakeholder outreach, and event planning initiatives.
Familiarity with the national media and public policy landscape, particularly in the economic policy field.
Experience supervising staff and leading cross-functional teams.
Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with senior leaders across government, academia, the private sector, and other external stakeholders.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Strong organizational, event planning, and writing skills; ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
Ability to listen, provide thoughtful guidance, and respect the abilities and perspectives of others, earning the respect and trust of people at all levels.
Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
Familiarity with the national press and policy environment, particularly in the economic policy field, is required.
Demonstrated ability to synthesize and communicate complex research findings and policy ideas to diverse audiences, both orally and in writing.
Demonstrated strategic thinking and sound judgment in assessing policy ideas and their practical application.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree (e.g., MPP, JD, MBA, or related field).
Experience with budget development and financial management.
Experience managing foundation grants and/or supporting fundraising and donor stewardship activities.
Understanding of the legislative process.
Sophisticated understanding of the legislative process is a plus.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute an overall outreach and communications strategy with policymakers, journalists, experts, and other stakeholders.
Develop and organize major policy forums, public events, and special projects to highlight THP work, as well as the organization’s annual retreat.
Collaborate with Director and Associate Director to manage the staff and work of the Hamilton Project, including the organization’s finances, and maintain and strengthen relationships with THP’s Advisory Council, as well as other stakeholders.
Provide strategic guidance on all areas of research and product development.
Develop and implement THP’s overall communications and outreach strategy in collaboration with ES and Central Communications.
Create and implement media strategy around paper releases and THP events, including background on new releases and coordinating press interviews with THP scholars and commissioned authors.
Plan public policy forums and other events to showcase THP’s work.
Oversee all event logistics with support from the Assistant Director.
Create and implement outreach strategy for congressional offices and other policymakers on topics relevant to the work of THP.
Oversee THP’s website; work with relevant staff to develop and implement social media strategy, leveraging tools available through the independent Hamilton Project website.
Plan and organize THP’s annual retreat for its Advisory Council and guests with support from the Assistant Director.
Support the Director in managing day-to-day operations of the team.
Collaborate with Associate Director, Human Resources and program counterparts on hiring and other HR-related activities.
Partner with the Program Finance and Development team to develop and execute the THP budget and support development processes.
Manage foundation grants, in coordination with the Program Finance and Development team.
Serve as liaison to the Project’s Advisory Council, overseeing donor stewardship and cultivation activities.
Serve as administrative liaison within Economic Studies and, more broadly, Brookings for THP.
Collaborate with Director and Associate Director to plan policy agenda.
Collaborate with the Director and Associate Director to frame and develop THP publications and auxiliary products.
Provide input on THP policy proposals and other work products.
Monitor and assess legislative and policy developments relevant to The Hamilton Project's priorities.