Deputy Director and Senior Fellow - Economics Program

WASHINGTON, DCPosted 30+ days ago

Job summary

• Job post source

  This job is directly from CSIS Middle East Program

• Job overview

  The Deputy Director and Senior Fellow for the Economics Program at CSIS leads research on international economic issues impacting U.S. competitiveness and economic security, playing a strategic leadership role within the Economic Security and Technology Department.

• Responsibilities and impact

  The role involves developing and leading research agendas on trade, investment, and economic security, providing strategic guidance, representing CSIS in external engagements, securing funding opportunities, mentoring staff, and contributing to department-wide strategy and thought leadership.

• Compensation and benefits

  The salary range is $125,000 to $200,000, commensurate with experience. Additional benefits are not specified in the description.

• Experience and skills

  Candidates should have 10+ years of relevant experience, a master's degree, senior-level economic policy experience, a track record in managing research agendas, strong communication skills, and an entrepreneurial mindset. Fundraising experience and publication history are preferred.

• Career development

  The position offers opportunities to lead high-impact research projects, contribute to strategic initiatives, mentor staff, and build a world-class team, supporting professional growth within a leading policy organization.

• Work environment and culture

  CSIS values diversity and inclusion, promotes a bipartisan and nonprofit environment, and expects in-office work at its Washington DC headquarters with moderate noise levels and reasonable accommodations for disabilities.

• Company information

  CSIS is a bipartisan, nonprofit public policy organization founded in 1962, with over 200 staff including 120 analysts, focusing on global security and prosperity through research and policy solutions.

• Team overview

  The candidate will join the Economic Security and Technology Department, working closely with the Economics Program Director and EST leadership, contributing to a team of nearly a dozen programs and initiatives.

• Job location and travel

  The position is based in Washington, DC, at CSIS headquarters, with an expectation of in-office presence.

• Application process

  Applicants must submit a combined cover letter and resume PDF and a writing sample via the CSIS careers portal; additional materials are requested only during interviews.

• Unique job features

  This role uniquely combines leadership in economic policy research with strategic outreach, thought leadership, and mentorship within a prominent global policy think tank.

Company overview

The CSIS Middle East Program is a division of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a prominent Washington, D.C.-based think tank focused on global policy analysis and strategic issues. The program specializes in research, analysis, and policy recommendations related to political, economic, and security developments across the Middle East and North Africa. Funding comes from a mix of private donors, government grants, and corporate sponsors, supporting its events, publications, and expert commentary. Established as part of CSIS’s broader mission, the Middle East Program has played a key role in shaping U.S. and international policy discussions, often collaborating with policymakers, academics, and media. Candidates should be aware of the program’s reputation for nonpartisan, in-depth analysis and its influence in shaping informed debate on regional affairs.

How to land this job

• Position your resume to highlight leadership in economic policy research, particularly in international trade, investment, and economic security, aligning with CSIS Middle East Program's focus on U.S. competitiveness and economic resilience.

• Emphasize experience managing research agendas, strategic project leadership, and your ability to engage with diverse stakeholders including government, academia, and private sector, as these are key responsibilities.

• Apply through multiple platforms such as the CSIS official careers site at careers.csis.org and LinkedIn to maximize your application visibility and ensure your resume reaches the right internal teams.

• Connect on LinkedIn with current CSIS Middle East Program staff, especially those in the Economics Program or EST leadership. Use ice breakers like commenting on recent CSIS publications, inquiring about current research priorities, or expressing enthusiasm about their work on economic security and trade policy.

• Optimize your resume for ATS by incorporating keywords from the job description such as 'economic security,' 'trade policy,' 'investment screening,' 'supply chain resilience,' 'international finance,' and 'economic statecraft' to ensure it passes initial automated screenings.

• Leverage Jennie Johnson's Power Apply feature to automate tailored resume submissions, identify multiple application channels, and find relevant LinkedIn contacts, saving you time and increasing your chances of landing the Deputy Director and Senior Fellow role.