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Deputy Director & Senior Fellow - Wadhwani AI Center

Washington, D.C.

JOB SUMMARY

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a non-profit, bipartisan public policy organization established in 1962 to provide strategic insights and practical policy solutions to decision makers concerned with global security and prosperity. Over the years, it has grown to be one of the largest organizations of its kind, with a staff of some 275 employees, including more than 120 analysts working to address the changing dynamics of international security across the globe.

 

The Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS conducts high-impact research on the policy implications of artificial intelligence, with a focus on national security, geopolitics, economic competitiveness, and global governance. Since 2023, the Wadhwani AI Center has been shaping the global conversation on AI policy through expert analysis and as a trusted source of insights for the U.S. government as well as international allies and partners. Our team frequently advises bipartisan U.S. government officials and civil servants, including via Congressional testimony, private briefings, and published reports. As part of our research, we regularly engage with leading AI companies and academic researchers.
The Wadhwani AI Center seeks a highly motivated Deputy Director and Senior Fellow to play a key role in advancing the program’s research agenda on artificial intelligence (AI) governance, national security, and economic impacts.
 
Under the supervision of the Wadhwani Center Director, the Deputy Director and Senior Fellow will help manage the day-to-day workflow of the program and play a key role in supporting the Director to advance all Center initiatives. The Deputy Director will actively contribute to major programmatic decisions, support strategic planning activities, manage research initiatives and projects on AI labor impacts, and help oversee research efforts on a broad range of other AI policy topics, including by authoring or co-authoring research reports, supervising research staff, engaging with media and policymakers, editing draft reports and articles, coordinating research activities, and delivering briefings and presentations to key stakeholders. The Deputy Director will also share, with the Director, a variety of daily managerial responsibilities for personnel management, budget oversight, fundraising, and grant and contract management. Preference will be given to candidates who have experience working on AI policy, governance, and economic impacts and have previous experience leading and fundraising for research projects.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Research and Outreach
• Serve as a key adviser to the Wadhwani Center Director on AI policy and economic impacts, including by helping to develop a robust research agenda on AI policy, governance, and geopolitics.
• Oversee Wadhwani AI Center work on AI economic and labor impacts.
• Research and write in-depth policy papers and publications; conduct research independently and in collaboration with other fellows and teams.
• Serve as a thought leader in Washington in one or more AI topic areas.
• Edit reports, commentaries, and blogs; take a major role in strengthening program communication and outreach strategy.
• Play a leadership role in convening expert groups, representing the program publicly, and chairing and leading events, workshops and international exchanges.
• Promote the program’s research and insights with a diverse set of stakeholders, including government officials on the Hill and in the Administration, the media, the private sector, academia, as well as policymakers and researchers in partner countries.
• In close coordination with the Director, attract and build a world-class team with deep analytical expertise; provide close supervision and active mentoring of associate staff, including overseeing the work of research analysts to ensure quality research and professional development.
 
Program Management
• In close coordination with the Director, manage day-to-day Center workflow. 
• Identify funding opportunities, thought partnership with the private sector and investment community, and more generally, broaden the base of support for CSIS; develop robust applications and proposals for new opportunities in line with CSIS and EST priorities and research agenda; secure new and/or follow-on funding.
• Work closely with the Director to oversee the program budget; manage grants and contracts, including preparing reports.
• Support the Director in managing relationships within CSIS and with external stakeholders and partners; cultivate an excellent professional network and liaise productively with other organizations.
• Provide thought leadership and strategic guidance to CSIS and the Wadhwani AI Center, including on use of AI to accelerate CSIS work and maximize impact.
• Serve on the EST leadership team, develop joint projects with other programs, and advise the EST President and the Wadhwani Center Director on how the Program can contribute to Department-wide strategy.
• Contribute to, and where relevant, spearhead the EST Department’s strategic research priorities.

 

KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION, AND EXPERIENCE

 

• Master’s degree in technology, public policy, or a related field; Ph.D. preferred
• At least 6-8 years of experience in technology or policy development and research.
• Experience working in industry, government, policy research, corporate strategy, or a comparable sector
• Strong grasp of technical concepts that underpin modern advances in AI. A technical background or engineering degree is beneficial but not required.
• Background working in economic or social policy strongly preferred
• Substantive research experience working on AI and economic policy, including executing a research agenda, conducting independent and collaborative research, managing multiple ongoing research projects, and publishing in national and international media.
• A track record of building and maintaining relationships with contacts in AI policy, including people in industry, civil society, and U.S. and foreign governments.
• Experience managing personnel, projects, budgets, and grants strongly preferred 
• Experience in fundraising preferred 
• Demonstrated ability to plan, execute and lead complex events and/or conferences 
• Strong communication and convening skills, including the ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from a range of individuals with diverse interests, backgrounds, and dispositions with a wide spectrum of views on AI policy
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated success working in highly collaborative, team-based environments with a demonstrated commitment to professional development, mentoring and education  
• Superior writing, editing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to operate under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

 

OUR BENEFITS

 

 

Medical insurance 
Dental insurance 
Vision insurance
Life insurance Short-term and long-term disability
403(b) for retirement planning
Tuition Assistance
Flexible Spending Account
Health Savings Account
12 Paid Holidays
Sick Leave
Vacation leave 

 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

 

  •  A 1-2 page cover letter followed by a 1-2 page resume in a single PDF document. Please title the document “[Your name] cover letter and resume”.
  •  A writing sample (up to 5 pages; may be an excerpt from a longer piece) on an AI-related topic. Please title the document “[Your name] writing sample”  
  • Applications should be submitted via careers.csis.org. Please do not submit additional materials (references, transcripts) etc. These will be requested if needed during the interview process.
 

 

Salary Range

$100,000 - $200,000 USD

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK CONDITIONS


The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
 
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status.
 
Equal Opportunity Employer. 

 

 

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