Vice President, Research

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is where your world and the world meet. The Council is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that empowers more people to help shape our global future. Through content and engagement experiences that offer diverse, fact-based perspectives and in-depth analysis, we foster dialogue on the world’s most critical issues. We are committed to building an inclusive community of globally conscious people who want to actively participate in global affairs and gain the knowledge that can help them make a tangible impact – big or small – in the world.

THE ROLE

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is significantly expanding its research work. The Council is seeking a Vice President to work with the Council’s President to lead this expansion and deepen the relevance and excellence of the research agenda. The overarching objective of the new Vice President, Research will be to expand the credibility, visibility and reach of the organization as a top-tier research and convening organization.

The Vice President, Research will drive the process, working with the President, to develop the research and resources to build a robust range of research initiatives. They will be a thought partner to the President, representing the organization in the field and building a sustainable funding base for its research efforts.

• The Vice President, Research will provide leadership and direction to generate new ideas and influence policy debates in Chicago, across the United States and internationally. The Vice President will be charged with significantly increasing the range and depth of substantive contributions by the Council in each of its existing research focus areas, but also to develop and launch new research areas.

The Vice President will be responsible for overseeing the Council's research across multiple areas of expertise, including the work of Council Fellows, task forces, study groups, conferences and symposia and multi-year initiatives.

Specific responsibilities of the Vice President, Research will include:

• Enhance the Council’s position as a major, highly credible and influential voice in all subject areas addressed by its senior Fellows and research agenda. Special attention will be needed to establish the Council as an internationally recognized thought leader and to sustain and enhance the Council’s reputation as a thought leader on public opinion.

• Serve as a thought partner to the President in the areas of research, editorial process and utilizing Fellows

• Demonstrate individual research excellence and a track record of relevant expertise in one of the Council’s core areas: Geopolitics, Global Economy, Food Security, Energy Transition, International Order. Fluency in international relations, foreign policy, and global issues.

• Work with focus, ambition, and energy, to develop research funding from foundations, individual donors, corporations, and other funding sources for the Council, partnering closely with the President, and with the development team.

• Manage a portfolio of senior Fellows and research associates to advance the Council’s research agenda.

• Supervise research fellows and teams. This includes ensuring that the work of the senior Fellows is of the highest caliber and that they are regularly engaged in the policy dialogue and media in a highly visible way

• Developing and monitoring department budgets.

• Overseeing the successful scoping and implementation of all research projects; and providing day-to-day oversight of a steadily growing team of research Fellows.

• Design and oversee the conceptual development, research, and publication processes of several publications annually, including in-depth research papers, policy analyses, reports, and weekly news brief.

• Serve as a collaborative and energetic member of the executive leadership team that oversees the overall direction of the Council, carries out strategic initiatives, and ensures that all Council activities are integrated and communicated effectively at local, national, and international levels.
• Supervise special projects with select resident fellows with relevant expertise as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• 10+ years’ experience in research-based and/or policy arena working with government, nonprofits, think tanks or academia.

• Proven track record of fundraising and ability to initiate and steward investments from philanthropic leaders, foundations, and corporate sources.

• Master’s degree in public policy, international development, or related field. A PhD is desirable.

• Demonstrated ability to link research and convening in an organization that values both and seeks to deliver these in an integrated and meaningful fashion at the highest level.

• Experience developing and delivering research programs, including a demonstrated ability to develop strategy for, resource, and manage complex projects with multiple activity streams being realized under thoughtfully planned deadlines.

• Substantial and demonstrable familiarity with key US and international foreign and global policy networks, institutions, and processes.

• Experience managing staff, budgets, and fundraising plans/timelines

• Superior verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex concepts and topics clearly, thoroughly, and succinctly.

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a management team, lead a team of dedicated individuals, and maintain collegial working relationships with staff members at all levels.

• Creativity, flexibility, and problem-solving; thrives in fast-paced and dynamic environment.

• Knowledge of creative uses of social media and virtual programs.

• Experience in developing networks of diverse stakeholders.

• Willingness to be based in Chicago. This is not a remote position. Council staff are in the office three days a week, Mondays, Thursdays, and one additional day of your choice.

Salary Range: $200,000-$250,000
The pay range included represents a good faith estimate of the possible full-time compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, handicap or disability, marital status, military service or veteran status, genetic information, or for any other reason prohibited by applicable law.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the fabric of the Council, and we believe people — their identities, experiences, beliefs, knowledge, and ideas — are critical to our success and to global affairs. We will elevate diverse voices and identities and a full range of perspectives, advance equitable and inclusive access to exploring and shaping ideas, and ensure our organization reflects the diversity of Chicago, our nation, and the world.

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