Director for Research and Strategy — Center for China Analysis

Position description

Asia Society Policy Institute’s Center for China Analysis is looking for a Director for Research and Strategy for a full-time position. As the Director for Research and Strategy at CCA, you will play a pivotal role in shaping and advancing our research and policy initiatives. In close collaboration with the Managing Director, you will develop and manage CCA’s research and policy agenda, aligning it with our strategic goals, and ensure the quality of such outputs. Your focus will be to achieve optimal execution, aiming to fully realize their potential and maximize impact. In addition, you will help design and implement a strategic communication plan to deliver CCA’s findings and initiatives to the center’s local and global audiences, securing the attention of influencers and thought leaders in policy circles. In addition, you will pursue your own writing and research, especially with respect to Chinese political economy and society, to enhance the center’s thought leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Research Agenda Development and Management:

• Collaborate with the Managing Director to establish and oversee the overall research agenda of CCA by running quarterly agenda setting meetings and monthly research meetings.
• Work closely with every research pillar of CCA, to ensure that the research agendas of the research pillars effectively address key issues and aligns with the center’s mission and goals and pass the three-set test of policy relevancy, talent capability within the center, and fundability/resource availability.

Research Team Leadership:

• Lead and manage the research team, fostering a collaborative and productive environment.
• Oversee the hiring and development of research assistants and other research staff.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to the research team, ensuring high-quality research outputs.                                                       

Research Project Oversight:

• Supervise the execution of various research projects, including but not limited to China5, issue papers, and policy reports.
• Ensure that all research outputs meet organizational quality standards and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in our field.

Strategic Communication:

• In concert with the Managing Director and relevant members of CCA, develop an effective communication strategy that outlines key messages, target audiences, channels, and tools to promote the center’s research findings and initiatives.
• Create high-quality, engaging content tailored to specific platforms and audiences that highlights the center’s policy outputs.

Fundraising and Capacity Building:

• Engage in institutional partnership building and fundraising activities in coordination with CCA’s senior staff and development personnel, to support and expand our research and institutional capabilities.
• Develop strategies to enhance the research and institutional capacity of CCA, ensuring the sustainability and impact of our endeavors.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Build and strengthen relationships and partnerships with CCA’s stakeholders including policymakers, academic institutions, think tanks, and industry leaders, to promote CCA’s work and foster collaborative relationships.
• Represent CCA in both public settings and private, high-level briefings.

Research and Writing: 

• Pursue research, especially in the areas of Chinese political economy and society, and draft relevant content for CCA’s diverse audiences to enhance the center’s thought leadership.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience, including at least 7 years in directly managing and leading research and policy initiatives with a focus on China. 
• Professional experience participating in multidisciplinary, collaborative research, analysis, and policy development projects in this field.
• Experience managing staff in a matrixed organization preferred, experience in non-profit management including strategy, fundraising, and administration a plus.
• A PhD degree in economics, international relations/affairs, political science, public policy, sociology, or other related area required.
• Strong oral and written communication skills. Proficiency in Chinese a plus, fluency in English required.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to details.
• Motivated and responsible team player.

COMPENSATION

Salary Range: $130,000 – $140,000 (plus benefits)

Compensation in this range is determined by skills, experience, and organizational equity.

Asia Society offers a generous benefits package including health, dental, and vision coverage; considerable paid holidays; self-development Summer Fridays between July 4th and Labor Day; self-development tuition reimbursement; and a 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contributions after one year of service (1,000 hours).

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on tendersglobal.net