The Director of the Development Research Institute (DRI) provides senior leadership for one of NYU’s globally visible institutes, charged with advancing rigorous development research, integrating the Wahba Initiative for Strategic Competition (WISC), and elevating DRI as a leading platform for scholarship, policy, and engagement. Shapes and executes DRI’s strategy at the intersection of global development and strategic competition, strengthening its scholarly, policy, and international profile. Oversees programming, fundraising, communications, financial management, staff supervision, and external engagement at the highest levels of academia, government, and global business. Advances the Institute’s scholarly outputs by authoring a weekly blog, co-authoring policy briefs with NYU faculty and Global Fellows, and moderating events that generate substantive written outputs. Ensures that DRI serves as an intellectual leader in debates on economic development, strategic competition, and global governance. Coordinates closely with NYU affiliates including the Financial Access Initiative, Africa House, and the Center for Technology and Economic Development (CTED), while exploring integration with other faculty and units across NYU. Manages the WISC Global Advisory Council and works with NYU Development to expand philanthropic support beyond the Wahba base funding.
This is a 3-year fixed-term position.
Required Education:
Bachelor's Degree
Preferred Education:
Master's Degree in public policy, international affairs, economics, business, or related field.
Required Experience:
10+ years progressively responsible experience in academic, policy, or think tank leadership. Proven record of strategic program leadership and global engagement. Demonstrated expertise in international affairs, economic development, or strategic competition. Experience authoring scholarly or policy publications, moderating events, and shaping intellectual outputs. Successful record in fundraising and donor engagement.
Preferred Experience:
10+ years University-based program leadership. Fundraising across national and global philanthropic networks. Engagement with development finance institutions, multilateral organizations, and corporate partners. Active engagement with U.S. and international government officials.
Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
Visionary leadership with the ability to integrate scholarship, policy, and practice. Exceptional communication and public speaking skills, with experience in media, publications, and global forums. Demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams and global coalitions. Strong organizational and management skills. Understanding of U.S. and international governments and global institutions. Willingness to travel extensively and work evenings/weekends for events. Flexibility to engage in calls and communications outside of normal business hours to coordinate with international partners and programs. Experience partnering with faculty and development offices on philanthropic and grant-based fundraising. Consistent follow-through on commitments, punctuality for meetings and assignments, and prompt responsiveness to communications.
Preferred Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
Proven ability to bridge scholarship and practice, combining academic rigor with high-level policy engagement. Demonstrated success leading global convenings, policy dialogues, and multi-stakeholder coalitions. Recognized thought leadership in strategic competition, economic statecraft, and global development. Deep familiarity with the operations of U.S. and allied governments, multilateral organizations, and global business leaders. Track record of building programs that attract and elevate diverse voices from around the world. Established credibility with donors, policymakers, academics, and private-sector leaders. Exceptional communication skills, including publications, media appearances, and public speaking at global forums. Demonstrated capacity to manage and inspire cross-functional teams.
In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is USD $160,000.00 to USD $200,000.00. New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. This pay range represents base pay only and excludes any additional items such as incentives, bonuses, clinical compensation, or other items.
NYU aims to be among the greenest urban campuses in the country and carbon neutral by 2040. Learn more at nyu.edu/nyugreen.
NYU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a policy of equal treatment and opportunity in every aspect of its recruitment and hiring process without regard to age, alienage, caregiver status, childbirth, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, domestic violence victim status, ethnicity, familial status, gender and/or gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, parental status, partnership status, predisposing genetic characteristics, pregnancy, race, religion, reproductive health decision making, sex, sexual orientation, unemployment status, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis. All interested persons are encouraged to apply at all levels.