Director – Wadhwani AI Center

Qualifications

• AI policy expertise with 15+ years of relevant experience and a technical understanding of AI
• Advanced degree required (M.A./M.S.); MBA/MPA and/or PhDs encouraged
• Ability to write and edit research reports and manage a policy-focused research agenda
• Previous experience in industry along with government or academia
• Extensive global network of stakeholders for research, fundraising, and amplification of the Center's work
• Strong leadership skills and a track record of building and managing teams
• The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee working in an office environment
• A 1-2 page cover letter followed by a 1-2 page resume in a single PDF document
• A writing sample (up to 5 pages) on an AI-related topic

Benefits

• Position The salary range is $250,000 to $295,000, commensurate with experience
• This position also offers bonus potential based on individual and company performance

Responsibilities

• The Director will work closely with EST program directors and help accelerate adoption of AI research tools to enhance policy research
• Strategy and Research: Develop a strong vision for the Wadhwani Center aligned with the EST Department; lead the Center's team to produce in-depth analysis and recommendations with demonstrable impact on AI policy; manage multiple research projects and lead the preparation, writing, editing, publication, and amplification of the Center's research and analysis; contribute to EST's strategic research priorities; provide strategic guidance and support to the EST President and CSIS leadership
• External Engagement: Expand the Center's network across industry, government, and academia; interact with senior leadership from companies, trade associations, and research institutions; engage with administration, congressional offices, and foreign government officials; serve as a recognized expert at CSIS and other venues; oversee conferences, workshops, and roundtables; provide expert commentary to media
• Institution Building and Fundraising: Attract and build a world-class team; mentor and develop staff; uphold high standards of professionalism, transparency, ethics and accountability; participate in EST leadership and collaborate with other program directors; expand fundraising, identify opportunities, and lead proposal development; steward funder relationships and secure funding for the Center's budget
• Knowledge, Education, and Experience: AI policy expertise with 15+ years of relevant experience; strong written and editing ability for policy-focused research; experience in industry with time in government or academia; extensive global network of stakeholders; collaborative, service-oriented leadership with experience building teams
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions

Full Description

Overview 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.

EST seeks a Director of the Wadhwani AI Center to lead the Department's efforts to shape the domestic and international policy debate on AI and its implications for growth, economic and national security, and resilience.

The Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS conducts high-impact research on the policy implications of artificial intelligence.

Since 2023, the Center has been shaping the global conversation on AI policy and advising bipartisan U.

S. government officials and civil servants, including Congressional testimony, private briefings, and published reports.

The Director will work closely with EST program directors and help accelerate adoption of AI research tools to enhance policy research.

Position The salary range is $250,000 to $295,000, commensurate with experience. This position also offers bonus potential based on individual and company performance.

Responsibilities

• Strategy and Research: Develop a strong vision for the Wadhwani Center aligned with the EST Department; lead the Center's team to produce in-depth analysis and recommendations with demonstrable impact on AI policy; manage multiple research projects and lead the preparation, writing, editing, publication, and amplification of the Center's research and analysis; contribute to EST's strategic research priorities; provide strategic guidance and support to the EST President and CSIS leadership.

• External Engagement: Expand the Center's network across industry, government, and academia; interact with senior leadership from companies, trade associations, and research institutions; engage with administration, congressional offices, and foreign government officials; serve as a recognized expert at CSIS and other venues; oversee conferences, workshops, and roundtables; provide expert commentary to media.

• Institution Building and Fundraising: Attract and build a world-class team; mentor and develop staff; uphold high standards of professionalism, transparency, ethics and accountability; participate in EST leadership and collaborate with other program directors; expand fundraising, identify opportunities, and lead proposal development; steward funder relationships and secure funding for the Center's budget.

• Knowledge, Education, and Experience: AI policy expertise with 15+ years of relevant experience; strong written and editing ability for policy-focused research; experience in industry with time in government or academia; extensive global network of stakeholders; collaborative, service-oriented leadership with experience building teams.

Qualifications

• AI policy expertise with 15+ years of relevant experience and a technical understanding of AI.

Advanced degree required (M.

A./M.S.); MBA/MPA and/or PhDs encouraged.

• Ability to write and edit research reports and manage a policy-focused research agenda.

• Previous experience in industry along with government or academia.

• Extensive global network of stakeholders for research, fundraising, and amplification of the Center's work.

• Strong leadership skills and a track record of building and managing teams.

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.

Equal Opportunity 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.

How to Apply Please apply by Friday, August 1, 2025.

Interested applicants should submit via with: • A 1-2 page cover letter followed by a 1-2 page resume in a single PDF document.

Title: "[Your name] cover letter and resume".

• A writing sample (up to 5 pages) on an AI-related topic.

Title: "[Your name] writing sample".

Please do not submit additional materials (references, transcripts).

They will be requested if needed during the interview process.

For more information about the CSIS Wadhwani AI Center, please visit To submit an application, click the "Apply" button below to be redirected to our secure recruitment portal.

Apply About Us CSIS is a bipartisan, nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.

C. The Center's staff conduct research and policy initiatives that look to the future and anticipate change. #J-18808-Ljbffr