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

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

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 Americas democratic institutions and processes. The Managing Director oversees and advises on a wide range of strategic and operational issues translates the VPs 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 Programs teams have the support and resources required to achieve their objectives. The Managing Director represents GS on the Institutions 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 collaborate with OGC as needed to review projects for risk and conflicts.

Program Leadership and Strategy (30%)

• Advise the Vice President and Director on GSs overall operations and research direction strategies and objectives.

• Lead the development and execution of operational plans to achieve VP research priorities and strategies for advancing policy goals ensuring alignment with budget and consistent with the Institutions strategic plan.

• In coordination with Communications advise VP on long-term strategic communications and lead impact planning and monitoring efforts; promote recognition of the Programs impact throughout the policy community (including the internal Brookings community and external funders).

• Lead change management and crisis prevention and management for the Program through effective communication and leadership; Oversee all internal Program communications.

• Serve as representative of the VP and Program in internal discussions meetings and committees across the Institution provide input into Institutional plans policies and activities and identify and champion ways in which alternate methods may solve institutional challenges articulated in internal meetings.

• Partner with the Vice President and Director in establishing and upholding GS culture and values across the Program and that promote the values of Brookings and diversity equity and inclusion priorities.

• Collaborate with Finance to identify funding needs analyze scenarios to support Program and Institutional decision making and identify Program risks and opportunities.

• Partner with the VP to set development priorities and provide input into Developments plans for operationalizing fundraising goals; ensure scholars receive needed support to achieve fundraising goals and targets.

Program Operations and Personnel Management (30%)

• Lead and oversee all administrative and personnel management operations for the Program ensuring high-quality and responsive services are provided to all GS staff; manage Program-wide staffing (employees and affiliates); provide advice oversight guidance and staffing analysis for short- and long-term strategic needs.

• Provide vision for oversee and ensure excellence in the Programs HR efforts including professional development recruitment onboarding internships performance management staff retention and organizational culture development.

• Develop and actively maintain a strong partnership with Brookings central human resources and OGC to ensure the needs of the Program are met and that staff are trained on and maintain compliance with Brookings policies and practices; serve as resource for policy questions and guidance.

• Coach supervisors and staff on performance and management issues coordinating with Human Resources as appropriate.

• Partner with Program Manager to oversee Affiliates process; provide strategic input on Affiliates and work with Scholars to oversee Affiliates contributions to the Program.

• Partner with Vice President to design and implement processes for center and scholar work planning and evaluation including but not limited to the annual review process.

• Ensure that all GS staff are properly aware of and trained in accommodating Union agreement.

• Supervise train and coach operations staff.

• Lead and implement strategies and processes to identify hire and retain diverse talent; support Brookings Diversity Equity and Inclusion priorities and activities and lead GS program-specific DEI plans and activities.

• Works with Program Manager to lead staff engagement and retention initiatives developing formal and informal methods for staff to communicate ideas concerns and feedback with each other and with the leadership team. Directs staff appreciation and cohesion efforts promoting effective communication of department and Institution-wide goals to all staff.

• Oversee the review and management of contracts for relevance to Program and project needs and compliance with Brookings policies.

• Oversee technology liaison program for GS and lead technology adoption efforts.

• Provide oversight of office space utilization and strategic space planning.

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:

Education/Experience Requirements

Bachelors degree with background and experience in public policy administration communications or non-profit management. Minimum of 10 years of progressive leadership and management experience including working cross-functionally across business- and mission-driven teams familiarity with finance and/or development functions a plus. Experience developing and executing strategic and operational plans managing day-to-day operations and overseeing complex multi-stakeholder projects. Experience leading change management initiatives; ability to navigate nonprofit compliance and risk management issues. Track record of earning the trust and respect of people at all levels though superior listening skills respect for the abilities of others and willingness to adapt based on others ideas; demonstrates an interest in the work of Brookings scholars.

Knowledge/Skills Requirements

Experience with and knowledge of coaching and management best practices with the ability to provide guidance to supervisors and staff on performance and workplace challenges. Successful track record of designing creative and innovative solutions that meet unique organizational needs and support high-performing teams. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills: articulate persuasive and able to convey complex ideas and abstract concepts clearly and succinctly; shares information readily and concisely. Commitment to developing a workplace culture of engagement and collaboration across teams and enthusiasm for coaching and mentoring staff at all stages of their career. Demonstrated commitment to diversity equity and inclusion. Sophisticated leadership style high emotional intelligence and professional maturity with the ability to engage comfortably with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders including on difficult topics. Entrepreneurial and hands-on with a problem-solving orientation. Strong analytical organizational and planning skills and the ability to track and maintain visibility across multiple complex workflows and connect individual projects to broader strategy. Adaptable and resilient in changing or unexpected circumstances; remains calm composed and solutions-oriented under pressure; approaches challenges with curiosity. Unquestionable judgment decisive fair and resourceful with the ability to anticipate and act on circumstances and opportunities appropriately.

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.

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.

Please Note: Mustbe authorized towork for any employer in the U.S.