Vice President and Director, Governance Studies (Job ID: 2024-3508)

This search is being managed by Isaacson, Miller. Applications should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website located here.

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.

Ready to contribute to Brookings success?

Reporting to Brookings President, Dr. Cecilia Rouse, the Vice President and Director of Governance Studies is responsible for contributing to and stewarding the success of the Brookings Institution. As a Vice President, this role will serve as a member of the executive team of Brookings, collaborating with the President and other members of the team to set strategic direction and operational priorities for the Institution. This role must both represent GS’ perspective in these discussions and ensure GS is aligned with the Institution’s overall strategy and priorities.

As Director of the Governance Studies program, this leadership role presents a powerful opportunity to shape the national discourse on democracy and governance. The VP will support timely and impactful intellectual work while managing a collegial community of scholars, researchers, and operational staff where all levels are respected and appreciated. This VP will also encourage cross-program collaboration and innovation and work with GS scholars and development staff to increase funding, ensuring Brookings’ continued success. The successful candidate will address the following opportunities and challenges that are central to the sustained growth and success of both the GS program and The Brookings Institution

Shape and support Brookings’ organizational direction

• The VP will work closely with other research and operational Vice Presidents, as well as the President and Board of Trustees, to engage in decision-making that sets and advances institutional priorities for the Institution.
• The VP must maintain an organization-wide focus, providing strategic guidance and collaborative leadership to help steer the overall direction of Brookings. As the GS liaison and representative to the executive leadership team, the VP should represent the interests of GS projects, scholars, and staff while ensuring alignment with broader organizational goals.
  
  
  

Advance and amplify Governance Studies’ scholarly impact

• As an established scholar, the VP must ensure that GS’s research continues to reach its intended audiences and inform and shape policy debate. In the current, hyper-partisan environment, Brookings’ reputation for and commitment to timely, non-partisan analysis is more critical than ever.
• The VP will work with communications staff to develop and implement a communications strategy to amplify GS scholars’ voices.
• GS is comprised of dedicated and talented researchers with diverse expertise who apply a wide range of quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The Vice President must be aware of and sufficiently fluent in the range of GS research topics and research methodologies to provide meaningful support to researchers and to effectively represent GS scholars’ work both within Brookings and externally.
• The Vice President will understand how the work of GS scholars enhances the overall reputation of GS and maintains Brookings’ standing with other researchers, funders, and policymakers. Although the VP will likely maintain their own research, fostering a creative and flexible environment that sustains all researchers and encourages innovation will be paramount.
  
  
  

Provide strategic leadership in pursuing a compelling vision for the future of Governance Studies

• The Vice President will develop a strategic vision that positions GS to engage in current research on important policy issues concerning the strengthening of democracy and democratic systems.
• The VP will ensure that GS maintains its capacity for innovation and adaptability to keep pace with the most pressing issues, globally and domestically. The Vice President must support cross-disciplinary work that builds upon Brookings Institution Vice President and Director of Governance Studies current research, identifies gaps in knowledge, and develops creative approaches to address and evaluate the most complex issues.
• To enhance GS’s impact, the VP will be deliberate in determining the footprint of its work by assessing current programs and initiatives and identifying new social and political problems that GS scholarship could address. Possessing a firm understanding of politics and policymaking, the VP will ensure that GS’s work continues to align with the broader Brookings strategic plan and has a significant voice in public policy conversations.
• The VP will also play an essential role in attracting, retaining, and developing diverse scholarly talent at all levels to maintain and expand GS’s impact.
  
  
  

Steward and help bolster the Governance Studies Program’s financial strength and stability

• A primary responsibility of the Vice President will be to ensure that GS’s funding sources are sufficiently varied and robust to support cutting-edge scholarship.
• The VP will be an experienced fundraiser who is expected to identify new sources of funding, build relationships with both existing and potential new grantors to understand their interests, and work to develop projects to meet those interests.
• A particular focus will be on raising unrestricted and discretionary funds to meet programmatic and institutional needs. This will require a keen understanding of both the interests of GS scholars and the funding opportunities available from foundations, corporations, government, individual donors, and other funders.
• The Vice President will represent Governance Studies to donors and the Board of Trustees and engage with a broad range of audiences to raise the program’s profile with potential contributors.
• The Vice President will work closely with the development professionals inside GS and across the institution to devise the program’s fundraising strategy, cultivate strong relationships with new and existing donors, as well as the Board of Trustees, and help scholars identify opportunities to secure support for their research priorities while safeguarding their independence.
  
  
  

Lead the Governance Studies staff and build on the program’s collegial culture

• The VP will have significant management responsibilities for the entire Governance Studies program, attending to the needs of researchers as well as operational staff.
• The VP will ensure that internal operations are managed effectively, offer appropriate mentoring and professional development opportunities, and make sure GS’s organizational structure continues to support innovative research and policy engagement and that the program maintains an amiable culture that emphasizes collaboration and creativity.
• The VP will continue to foster a positive unit culture and a shared commitment to excellence for Brookings overall by being people-centered and inclusive.
  
  
  

Deepen Governance Studies’ commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion through hiring and scholarly endeavors

• Governance Studies has made great strides in advancing scholarship from diverse perspectives and viewpoints and addressing questions at the intersection of race and democracy.
• The VP will continue to advance the diversity of GS scholars, staff, and research endeavors. As our society becomes ever more diverse, the need for the GS program to reflect the wide range of experiences and perspectives becomes increasingly critical.
• The VP must also be proactive in promoting a culture and sense of belonging that supports the excellence, success, and well-being of all scholars and staff.
  
  
  

Foster collaboration within Governance Studies and with other Brookings programs

• The VP will be a force for creating collaborations and partnerships, both within GS and across Brookings.
• They will promote and facilitate collaboration in research and operations with counterparts in the other Brookings programs.
• In connecting programs and breaking down funding barriers, the VP will expand the collegial environment of Governance Studies and better tackle the multifaceted issues of today.
• By building bridges across programs and developing funding pools that span research programs, the VP will enhance the impact of the work produced by GS and Brookings at large.
  
  
  

Ready to make an impact? In this role, you will support Brookings values of collegiality, respect, inclusion, diversity and community, and bring the following qualifications

The Brookings Institution seeks a forward-thinking leader with experience overseeing a research program focused on topics related to governance and democracy. While no one person will possess all of the qualifications below, the ideal candidate will have many of the following professional experiences and personal characteristics

• Reputation as a policy expert and respected scholar in their field with a track record of producing rigorous public policy research
• Experience leading and managing a research and/or public policy organization – or a substantial unit within a larger organization
• Established ability to build consensus and lead change
• Proven success in fundraising, including from trustees and other individuals, foundations, and other funders
• 15+ years of professional experience across the government, public policy, and academic spheres, preferably with exposure to a variety of these disciplines
• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of a broad array of policy and governance issues, particularly those covered by Governance Studies scholars
• 10+ years of people management experience, including managing both research and operations staff with diverse backgrounds and a range of skill sets
• Record of creating a work environment that fosters mutual respect, trust, and a sense of belonging
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• PhD or other terminal degree in political science or a related field, or substantial record of highest-quality scholarship and history of policy impact
  
  
  

Additional Information

 

What can we offer you? Brookings provides a generous benefit package that is comprehensive and includes both traditional benefits and unique offerings. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision benefits, generous time off, and workplace flexibility. For more information, please visit Brookings Benefits.

 

Brookings requires that all applicants submit a cover letter and resume. Please attach your cover letter and resume as one document when you apply. Please note if you have applied to more than one Brookings job opening you should add a position-specific cover letter as a separate attachment.

This search is being managed by Isaacson, Miller. Applications should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website located here.

 

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for employment at Brookings.

 

Brookings welcomes and celebrates diversity in all its forms.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, first generation college goers, and other factors protected by law. Brookings is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace.