Associate Director, Global and Emerging Risks Research Division

Job Type:

Overview

RAND Global and Emerging Risks (GER) brings together the world's leading experts, scholars, strategists, and practitioners to help decisionmakers understand, anticipate, and prepare to navigate the national security and geopolitical implications of consequential challenges to civilization and global security, including the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, the biotechnology revolution, a transforming climate, and intensified strategic competition.

Position Description

RAND is seeking candidates for the role of Associate Director, Global and Emerging Risks.

This position reports to the Vice President and Director, Global and Emerging Risks.

The Associate Director plays a central role in formulating and overseeing the division's strategic plan, research agenda, talent recruitment, strategic engagement, business development and fundraising efforts, and partnerships with RAND's other research divisions and operational units.

Responsibilities, in collaboration with the division director, include:

• Oversee GER's research centers and initiatives, which include: Center for AI, Security, and Technology; Center for the Geopolitics of Artificial General Intelligence; China Research Center; Center for Analysis of U.S. Grand Strategy; Center for Climate and Energy Futures; RAND Forecasting Initiative; and RAND Frederick S. Pardee Center for Longer Range Global Policy and the Future Human Condition

• Oversee RAND international chairs and fellows, which include: Chair in China Policy Studies; Taiwan Policy Initiative; Korea Policy Chair; Israel Policy Chair; Russia & Eurasia Policy Chair; and Chair for Strategy and Diplomacy

• Uphold RAND standards of quality and objectivity in of the Division's research endeavors and publications

• Support the development and execution of the division's strategic plan, including revenue and hiring targets

• Collaborate with RAND's U.S. research division leadership teams to enhance their business development, increase the impact of their work, and ensure a coordinated approach to government engagement and development efforts

• Represent RAND to senior stakeholders in government and industry, in the U.S. and abroad

• Lead RAND Global and Emerging Risk advisory board programming, development, and stewardship

• Drive the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies

This is a five-year term position, with an option to extend 1-2 years subject to management approval. Management responsibilities supporting RAND's Global and Emerging Risks research division will cover half the incumbent's time. The other half of the incumbent's time will go towards conducting and/or leading RAND research projects.

Qualifications

• Exceptional executive management skills, including communication, leadership, interpersonal, and teamwork abilities, enabling effective interaction with a diverse range of individuals such as clients, employees, donors, government officials, and dignitaries

• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing, multidisciplinary teams and to coach and mentor senior leaders, researchers, and policy experts

• Recognized national security or technology policy expert with an established network of contacts in government, academia, and industry

Education Requirements

Master's or PhD in a related field

Experience

• Proven senior-level management experience in government, a non-profit research institute or university setting, or a for-profit entity that has significant policy and government relationships

• A minimum of 10 years of related experience

• Experience working directly with senior national security officials and industry leaders preferred

Security Clearance

Current possession of a U.S. security clearance, or the ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance, is required.

Location

We are actively hiring for this position in Washington, DC; Pittsburgh, PA; and Santa Monica, CA. This position is flex, which provides the opportunity for work from home and the office, with at least 50% of days worked on-site at one of the RAND offices required. Relocation assistance may be available.

Salary Range: $167,300 - $262,500

Senior Researcher: $167,300 - $262,500

Hiring ranges for Economists, Management Scientists and Physician Researchers are slightly higher than the range shown.

At RAND, the research program management role is a termed assignment that is performed by an experienced researcher, but the researcher role is not a termed position. The candidate selected for this role will be offered regular employment with RAND as a researcher.RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity.Successful candidates will be offered employment as a Senior researcher in a specific title, as determined by the candidate's education and experience. The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). This position may also be eligible for additional compensation. RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off, and more.

Application review

Application review will begin Monday, March 30th, 2026

Equal Opportunity Employer