Director - Wadhwani AI Center
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Washington
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Join to apply for the Director - Wadhwani AI Center role at Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
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.
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.
CSIS’s Economic Security and Technology Department (EST) is a center of excellence for strategic insights and policy solutions for the United States and its partners to sustain economic and technological advantages essential to their long-term prosperity, security, and resilience in the face of global threats. The Department focuses on areas shaping global technology and commercial competition and their role in national security—economic policies related to trade, investment, intellectual property, and innovation; advanced and strategic technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), semiconductors, digital, quantum, and cybersecurity; energy security and climate, as well as economic relations with China and with partners.
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 Director must be able to lead and communicate a strategic vision with differentiating analysis that motivates government action and mobilizes industry.
The Wadhwani AI Center at CSIS conducts high-impact research on the policy implications of artificial intelligence. 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 Congressional testimony, private briefings, and published reports. As part of our research, we regularly engage with leading AI companies and academic researchers.
Given AIs impacts across all EST programs, the Director of the Wadhwani Center will work closely with the other EST program directors in developing collaborative initiatives. As an authority on AI and AI policy, the Director will also help the Department accelerate adoption of AI research tools to enhance the productivity of policy research.
The successful candidate is an AI authority with deep, policy-relevant knowledge of AI innovation and competitiveness, AI governance and regulations, and its implications for national security. The candidate will also have excellent management and research skills and experience in communicating with external audiences. Previous experience leading and fundraising for research projects is a plus.
The salary band for this role is $250,000 to $295,000, commensurate with experience. This position also offers bonus potential based on individual and company performance.
Eessential Duities An Responsibilities
Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following:
Strategy and Research
- Develop a strong vision for the Wadhwani Center aligned with the EST Department.
- Lead the Center’s team to produce differentiating, in-depth analysis and recommendations that have a demonstrable impact on AI policy.
- Manage multiple research projects in partnership with the Wadhwani Center’s team and lead the preparation, writing, editing, publication, and amplification of the Wadhwani Center’s research and analysis.
- Contribute to, and where relevant, spearhead EST’s strategic research priorities.
- Provide strategic guidance and support to the EST President and CSIS leadership.
- Expand the Wadhwani Center’s network across industry, government, and academia to facilitate thought partnerships, fundraising efforts, and amplification of the Wadhwani Center’s work.
- Interact regularly with senior leadership from companies, relevant trade associations, coalition bodies, tech industry policy counterparts, and research institutions.
- Engage regularly with the administration, congressional offices, and foreign government officials and leaders.
- Serve as a recognized expert at a wide range of events at CSIS and other venues in Washington, nationally, and internationally.
- Oversee the organization and execution of conferences, workshops, and roundtables.
- Provide expert commentary and analysis to media outlets.
- Attract and build a world-class team of researchers and operational staff, focused on driving impact for domestic and international AI policy.
- Mentor and invest in the development of the team, particularly the junior staff.
- Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, ethics and accountability in all decision-making.
- Serve as a member of the EST leadership team, participating in and leading EST projects and initiatives. Work closely with the President and Vice President and engaging collaboratively and constructively with other program directors in the development and execution of joint projects.
- Expand the Wadhwani Center’s fundraising pipeline. Identify project contract and grant opportunities and lead efforts to create and submit proposals to funders.
- Regularly steward funder relationships for the Wadhwani Center and, when relevant, within the EST Department and CSIS.
- Secure funding for and manage the Wadhwani Center’s budget.
- AI policy expertise with 15+ years of relevant experience and a technical understanding of AI. M.A./M.S required, and MBA/MPA and/or PhDs are also encouraged to apply.
- Ability to write and edit research reports and manage a policy-focused research agenda.
- Previous experience in industry along with some time spent in either government or academia.
- An extensive global network of stakeholders that can be leveraged for research, fundraising, and amplifying the Wadhwani Center and EST’s work.
- A highly collaborative, service-oriented leader who has successfully built and managed teams.
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.
How To Apply
Please apply by Friday, August 1st, 2025.
Interested Applicants Should Submit Via Careers.csis.org
- 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”.
For more information about the CSIS Wadhwani AI Center, please visit: Skills
Required Experience
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Director
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Full-time
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