Senior Researcher - Rudin Center

POSITION SUMMARY

Established in 1996 within NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, the NYU Rudin Center for Transportation Policy & Management, led by Sarah Kaufman, is a widely-cited research center focused on shaping the future of urban mobility. Leveraging a dynamic team of Visiting Practitioners and Scholars, the Center drives critical, fast-response research, hosts high-impact convenings, and cultivates the next generation of transportation leaders. We envision the Rudin Center as the catalyst that unites cutting-edge research and dynamic leadership development to foster sustainable, equitable, and technology-driven mobility solutions for the New York region.

The Senior Researcher will help drive the Center's growth, expanding its impact through key research initiatives and strategic partnerships, and ensuring operational excellence that critically underpins its vital mission. This unique role demands a strategic thinker with a strong command of hands-on financial and administrative management, blending essential day-to-day operations with significant program leadership to advance groundbreaking work and foster future leaders in the transportation field.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Senior Researcher will undertake a comprehensive range of responsibilities, encompassing both strategic leadership and essential operational management, with a significant portion of time dedicated to the following duties:

Financial & Operational Leadership:

• Lead the comprehensive financial management of the Center, including developing, monitoring, and reconciling budgets, and tracking all sponsored research funding.

• Oversee daily administrative operations to ensure smooth daily functioning of the Center, and ensure the Center's long-term financial sustainability and overall operational efficiency through strategic resource allocation and robust fiscal oversight.

• Maintain strict adherence to NYU policies and external grant compliance requirements, safeguarding the integrity and impact of all Center activities.

Strategic Development & Fundraising:

• Play a central role in expanding the Center’s resource base by identifying and securing grants, corporate partnerships, and philanthropic support.

• Efficiently manage the entire grant submission and budget process, and track sponsored research funding to ensure sustained financial growth and program expansion.

Research & Program Management:

• In collaboration with affiliated faculty, scholars, and practitioners, design and lead impactful research initiatives, including developing policy reports and ensuring the robust dissemination of findings through strategic publications, events, and public engagement.

• Take primary lead responsibility for the successful management and delivery of the established Emerging Leaders in Transportation (ELT) program, overseeing curriculum refinement, speaker recruitment, participant engagement, and program evaluation.

• Provide essential support for the development and execution of the new Executive Leadership Program (ELP), contributing to its strategic direction and logistical success.

Events Management & Public Engagement:

• Take primary responsibility for organizing and executing high-profile conferences, dynamic speaker series, and essential networking events that effectively bring together leaders across transportation policy, industry, and academia.

• This work includes identifying and soliciting prominent speakers, conceptualizing compelling themes, and meticulously managing all event logistics to ensure seamless and impactful experiences.

Vision & Strategy Support:

• Work with the Director to support the development and refinement of the Center’s long-term vision and strategy, ensuring alignment with emerging transportation challenges, policy trends, and opportunities for growth.

• Contribute to shaping research priorities, programming, and public engagement efforts to enhance the Center’s influence and impact.

Team Leadership & Mentorship:

• Mentor and supervise intelligent and productive student employees, providing invaluable guidance and fostering their professional development.

• Collaborate effectively with NYU staff and external partners to amplify the Center’s research and outreach effort

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Urban Planning, Transportation, or a closely related field.

• Minimum of 6 years of highly relevant professional work experience in transportation, policy, research management, public sector partnerships, or a related sector.
• Strong analytical and organizational capabilities, with demonstrated expertise in complex budget management and the full lifecycle of grants management, including proposal development, financial tracking, and compliance.
• Demonstrated knowledge of transportation policy, planning, and operational landscape specific to the New York metropolitan region is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in managing complex research projects, including aspects of data analysis, policy evaluation, and professional report writing.
• Experience leading teams and mentoring early-career professionals, to foster their growth and contribution.
• A track record of successfully securing research funding, sponsorships, or philanthropic support is preferred.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively present complex research findings, write clear and compelling policy briefs, and confidently engage with high-level stakeholders from diverse sectors.

• Excellent attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and the proven ability to prioritize numerous tasks, act autonomously, and exercise sound judgment.

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is as follows: $85,000 - $95,000

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