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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.

About Global Economy and Development - The Global Economy and Development program at Brookings aims to shape the policy debate on how to improve global economic cooperation and fight global poverty and sources of social stress. The program’s research agenda is related to policies and trends affecting developing countries including global poverty, universal education, the global middle class, fragile states, globalization, inequality, foreign assistance and development effectiveness.

Position Location: This position is hybrid. Hybrid positions combine regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of two days of remote work each week.

The Managing Director reports to and serves as a strategic partner to the Vice President and Director of Global Economy and Development (Global), a $20M, 75-person policy research program at Brookings. This leadership position builds the programmatic capacity and systems necessary to support Global's mission and strategic priorities. The Managing Director serves as a key advisor on a wide range of strategic and operational issues, oversees and manages the program's finance, administrative, and personnel functions, and leads change management efforts across the program. They are responsible for translating the Vice President and Director's strategic goals into operational plans and ensuring that the program's teams have the support required to achieve their strategic objectives. They serve as a point of contact to all staff in Global and throughout Brookings and represent Global on the Institution's management team.

Program Financial Management

• Oversee all strategic financial management and day-to-day operations to ensure the budget is aligned with the program vision, short- and long-term goals, and needs; monitors and problem-solves on areas of risk; oversees the effective management of all incoming and outgoing resources, as well as their internal allocation.

• Serve as the program’s Senior Financial Officer (SFO) to approve contracts, grant and gift agreements, proposal budgets, financial reports, staffing and compensation changes, affiliate appointments, and other transactions.

• In close collaboration with the Assistant Director of Finance and Contracts Manager, work with finance staff to draft, approve, and negotiate contracts, agreements, and other transactions, ensuring compliance with internal policies.

• Provide leadership, guidance, and coaching to the program's finance team and ensure the staff can consistently provide accurate and timely financial reports and products; mentor and support finance staff in Global, providing expertise and support for problem-solving, know-how, and portfolio management.

• Deploy financial expertise and acumen to roll-up Global expenses and revenue forecasts for the Vice President and Director and Central Finance.

• Oversee the development and implementation of the strategic finance systems required to support Global's programmatic success and sustainability, including complex, multi-year budgeting, forecasting, planning, and expense tracking.

• Work with the research Vice President and other team members to ensure financial modeling and scenarios are integrated into the program's strategic planning and advise on best use of program funds.

• Provide quality stewardship of the program's resources and accurate and insightful reporting to internal and external stakeholders.

• Collaborate with development staff to implement efficient systems in all aspects of the funding cycle that ensure effective and timely communication, alignment, and reporting and communication to donors and internal systems that track grant spending rates and related expenses.

Program Leadership, Strategy, and Operations

• Partner with the Vice President and Director on Global's overall direction, strategies, and objectives, and assist in crisis prevention and management through effective communication and leadership.

• Represent the program's interests and priorities effectively in internal discussions, meetings, and committees across the Institution and externally, and serve as a stand-in for the Vice President and Director, as needed; represent Global on the Institution-wide Management Team.

• Partner with the Vice President and Director in establishing and upholding a culture across Global's centers and initiatives that promote the values of Brookings' and diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities.

• Partner with and advise Global’s business directors in their day-to-day efforts, problem-solving, and long-term priorities, working closely on a broad range of issues.

• Develop and execute operational plans—consistent with Global's budgetary goals—working with operational staff, research support staff, and scholars across initiatives and centers that further the program's strategic objectives.

• Provide broad-based project management support to Global's centers and initiatives, to include research, policy, events, outreach, communications, staffing, budgeting, grant management, and other related activities as directed by the Vice President and Director.

• Serve as a trusted resource, thought partner, and problem-solver for scholars and staff, and as point of contact for Global.

• Lead Global's strategic financial, operational, and human capital planning for launching new research projects, centers, initiatives, and projects and all activities related to phasing out those that have been completed.

• Ensure Global’s operations and services are efficient, high-quality, and responsive; develop, build support for, and implement consistent, transparent, and collaborative business planning and processes for the program; establish trusted mechanisms for soliciting and receiving formal and informal stakeholder feedback about operational performance and its impact on people, research teams, and strategic priorities.

• Serve as a key advisor and point of contact on institutional policies and strategies, including conflict of interest, research independence, and internal partnerships; advises Vice President and Director to support decision-making and approves on their behalf, as delegated.

• Lead and/or support change management efforts within the program, including by partnering with the Vice President and Director and stakeholders across the institution to advance organizational and cultural change.

• Conceptualize, draft, and review documents, reports, data, and other analyses to support strategic planning, internal reviews, and other management and vision-related documents for Global and Brookings-wide stakeholders, including the Executive Leadership Team (ELT), the Executive Office, and the Board of Directors.

Program Personnel Management

• Oversee all administrative and personnel management operations for the program, ensuring high-quality and responsive services are provided to all Global staff.

• Provide vision to ensure excellence in the Program’s HR efforts, including organizational development, recruitment, performance management, staff retention and engagement, learning and professional development, and organizational culture development efforts; mentor Senior Program Manager in their leadership and implementation of these efforts and problem-solve,

• Oversee staff engagement initiatives and promote effective communication of department and institution-wide goals to all staff.

• Champion Brookings' Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity priorities and activities and Global's program-specific plans and activities.

• Develop and actively maintain a strong partnership with Brookings' central human resources, Office of the General Counsel, and financial services departments to ensure the needs of the program are met and in compliance with Brookings' related policies and practices.

• Oversee and proactively engage on complex staffing/management issues or conflicts as they arise.

• Oversee the annual review process for staff and scholars and provide support to the Vice President as needed.

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

Bachelor's degree required; graduate degree strongly preferred. Public policy, economics, or business background and experience preferred. Minimum of 10 years of senior management experience working cross-functionally across finance, operations, and human resources. Proven success directing and managing day-to-day operations and finance, managing multiple, complex programs and projects. Experience with communications and/or development functions a plus. Proven experience developing productive working relationships across all levels, including staff, senior leadership teams, and high-level stakeholders across an organization. Successful track record of designing creative and innovative solutions that meet unique organizational or programmatic needs and support a high-performing team. A track record as an effective communicator who is articulate and persuasive in written and verbal communications. Demonstrated ability to multi-task, be organized and flexible, meet deadlines and prioritize job responsibilities. High degree of financial acumen, including the ability to prepare and analyze financial data, as well as ensure grant compliance and accurate reporting. Familiarity with budgeting or accounting software preferred. Proven ability to manage complex, multi-million dollar budgets.

Knowledge/Skill Requirements

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. A superior communicator who shares information readily and concisely; listens and gives advice and respects the abilities of others; earns trust and respect of people at all levels. Demonstrated expertise in managing complex financial activity and systems, including budgeting, forecasting, accounting, and reporting; proven ability to navigate nonprofit compliance and risk management issues A sophisticated leadership style, strong EQ, and professional maturity with the ability to engage comfortably with a diverse set of internal and external stakeholders. An entrepreneurial and hands-on problem solver with the proven ability to develop and execute program strategies and operations, focusing on creating effective and efficient systems and solutions. Strong analytical, organizational, and planning skills and the ability to synthesize abstract concepts into clear and accessible language. Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines and maintain disciplined adherence to program goals. A team player who welcomes collaborative decision-making and appreciates Brookings scholars' work and the vital international policy issues their work addresses. Unquestionable judgment, discretion, decisive, fair, and resourceful with the ability to anticipate and act on events and opportunities appropriately.

Must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S.

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, including diversity of experience, thought, and personal background.  We welcome applications that reflect a variety of backgrounds based on ideology, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, 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. All selection decisions are based upon merit, skills, abilities and experience.

Please use FY26 pay range of $162k to $200k as the external pay range. To confirm with Kristina/Drew before posting.