Managing Director, Climate and Economic Transformation

About the Roosevelt Institute

Until economic and social rules work for all Americans, they’re not working. Inspired by the legacy of Franklin and Eleanor, the Roosevelt Institute reimagines the rules to create a nation where everyone enjoys a fair share of our collective prosperity. We are a 21st-century think tank bringing together multiple generations of thinkers and leaders to help drive key economic and social debates and have local and national impact. We advance this mission through the work of our staff, fellows, and network of students and alumni.

Our Culture

At Roosevelt, we recognize that the culture of the workplace and opportunities for career growth and development are important to all. We believe that diversity of background and experience among our people make our work to reimagine the rules of our social and economic realities stronger.

Roosevelt is equal opportunity employer and, as affirms in policy and practice to consider all applications in all job classifications, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, military status, height and weight, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest record, or other legally protected status. We strongly encourage people of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ candidates to apply. There is a handicapped-accessible, all gender/gender-neutral bathroom on site.

Purpose of the Position

Reporting to the Vice President of Research, the Managing Director, Climate and Economic Transformation Program will lead the Roosevelt Institute think tank’s newest program area. The Managing Director’s work will combine both day-to-day management and long-range strategy development—with the aim of building the Climate and Economic Transformation Program to reach its full potential. Launched in early 2020, the Climate and Economic Transformation program aims to research and promote the government’s role in affirmatively shaping the economy to meet public challenges that markets alone cannot address, and the rules and institutions necessary for equitable, democratic governance of such interventions. The program focuses on using the tools of economic transformation to address many problems in the U.S. and beyond, particularly the climate crisis. Members of the team include Rhiana Gunn-Wright as Director of Climate Policy, Bracken Hendricks as a Fellow, Kristina Karlsson as Senior Research Associate, and Todd Tucker as Director of Governance Studies. The Managing Director will partner with team members and leaders across the organization to develop, refine, and execute on program strategy. This will include managing all team members to achieve individual and program goals. The Managing Director will also have the opportunity to hold their own body of research (25-30% time). In addition to management experience, the Managing Director will have subject-area expertise in industrial policy and the use of big public investments to direct economic growth. Experience in climate policy strongly preferred. 

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Program Leadership:

• Develop the Roosevelt Institute’s Climate and Economic Transformation research agenda in conjunction with the team’s experts, including identifying areas for new long-range thought leadership as well as issues that can drive more immediate policy influence.
• Lead a team of full-time and contract experts, aligning them around program goals, overseeing research product development, and ensuring that the whole of the program’s work and products is greater than the sum of its parts. o Partner with advocacy and communications teams to support work to translate the program’s research into materials that can be used for targeted outreach and, where appropriate, represent the organization’s program work with outside stakeholders. o Partner with development team to articulate clear goals, strategies, and deliverables for proposals to support program work, and to track and report-out on progress.

Research:

• Conduct research and author papers and other products, such as blog posts, articles, and op-eds, that advance the Roosevelt Institute’s Climate and Economic Transformation work.
• Opportunity to develop new lines of long-range research and policy thinking.

Management:

• Manage Climate and Economic Transformation program team, which currently consists of two full-time experts, one research associate, and several part-time contract fellows.
• Oversee product pipeline for Climate and Economic Transformation program and ensure all products are delivered on time and meet the highest research standards.

Education

Master's/Doctorate in Economics, political science, sociology, public policy or Law required.

Experience

• Expertise in industrial policy and the use of big public investments to direct economic growth, with a track record of high-quality published research on the topic. Climate expertise strongly preferred.
• Experience managing complex projects and leading teams, including balancing needs of multiple stakeholders (e.g. academic and research experts, advocacy and media goals).
• Exceptional writing, editing, and communications skills.
• Experience collaborating with teams across an organization to develop and execute on program strategies, as well as troubleshooting and course-correcting as needed.
• Demonstrated management experience and leadership skills.
• Passion for the Roosevelt Institute’s mission. 

INTERESTED CANDIDATES MUST SUBMIT A COVER LETTER AND RESUME IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED.