Senior Director, Research

Senior Director, Research

• 553427
• New York
• School of International and Public Affairs
• Full Time
• Opening on: Oct 21 2025
• Ungraded

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• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $195,500-$275,000

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the University''s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Research is a key member of the senior leadership team of the Center on Global Energy Policy (CGEP) at Columbia University''s School of International and Public Affairs, reporting to the Founding Director. The role is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the organization's research initiatives. The incumbent will also assist the Founding Director with setting and aligning strategic research priorities with CGEP''s core strategic mandate.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day management of research administration and publications, and provide strategic guidance on the priorities and research content for all research scholars.
• Develop strategic plans for research programs that define policy and other impact metrics. Build implementation strategies focused on key impact metrics that work across the organization to include policy, communications, development, and external engagement dimensions.
• Serve as primary point-of-contact for faculty across Columbia and spearhead collaborations with faculty across Columbia University (including, but not limited to, the Climate School, the Law School, the Business School, and the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science) and with outside academic organizations.
• Provide intellectual leadership and management to the Center's existing and future research programs.
• Ensure effective implementation of CGEP's external review process for publications, and play a quality control function for the organization, ensuring that the work adheres to the standards of the highest quality academic research.
• Coordinate and manage the work of CGEP researchers, including goal setting, performance review, and helping set work plans.
• Recruit effectively by identifying new talent and leading retention efforts for researchers.
• Focus on advancing CGEP's processes, guide research scholars in the development of paper proposals, and regularly review of organization-wide research for consistency and quality control.
• Manage conflict of interest policies and ensure compliance with internal guidelines and broader Columbia requirements.
• Build partnerships for CGEP research programs with civil society, philanthropy, think tanks, and other academic partners.
• Set performance metrics and review process for research programs and initiatives; responsible for ensuring key program performance goals are achieved.
• Build an inclusive, supportive, and rewarding culture.
• Partner with the Founding Director to engage the Advisory Board in the areas of research prioritization and funding opportunities. Collaborate with the Founding Director and the Faculty Advisory Committee to deepen the integration of CGEP with faculty across Columbia University.
• Regularly engage with the media, policymakers, academics, donors, and other outside stakeholders. Lead with integrity and maintain the highest standards of confidentiality.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor''s degree and at least fifteen years of related leadership experience.
• Deep and extensive knowledge of both domestic and international energy geopolitics, markets, policy, economics, and environmental issues, and related issues, as demonstrated through prior professional experience and academic training.
• Experience or expertise in policymaking, policy analysis, policy briefing, and policy development.
• A proven record of successful engagement at senior levels and the ability to achieve consensus and interact effectively with multiple high-level stakeholders.
• Proven track record of written research, externally facing thought leadership, and research management. Facility with large budgets and a record of effectively allocating resources.
• Proven experience and success in strategic planning and program development.
• Proven experience in both exercising strategic thinking and deploying resources for implementation purposes.
• An ability to conceptualize and deliver is essential.
• Experience developing partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including civil society, NGOs, philanthropy, academia, think tanks, and industry.
• Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building, and communication skills.
• The person must possess the executive presence, gravitas, energy, and confidence to develop internal and external relationships with diverse constituencies, including faculty; staff; industry, nonprofit, and public sector partners, and colleagues across a complex institution.]
• Desire to engage with leaders and researchers from diverse fields within energy and energy policy.
• Demonstrated leadership practices that foster diversity, equity, and inclusion within an organization

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree (M.A., M.B.A., J.D., Ph.D.)
• Experience working in research organizations.
• Experience serving in government.
• Experience in fundraising or grant-making in the energy and environment fields.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.