Washington, D.C.

Director of Program Development, The Urban Institute

The Organization

The nonprofit Urban Institute is dedicated to elevating the debate on social and economic policy. For nearly five decades, Urban scholars have conducted research and delivered evidence-based solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities across a rapidly urbanizing world. Our objective research helps expand opportunities for all, reduce hardship among the most vulnerable, and strengthen the effectiveness of the public sector.

Position Overview

Who we are

The nonprofit Urban Institute is dedicated to elevating the debate on social and economic policy. For nearly five decades, Urban scholars have conducted research and delivered evidence-based solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities across a rapidly urbanizing world. Our objective research helps expand opportunities for all, reduce hardship among the most vulnerable, and strengthen the effectiveness of the public sector.

Within the Urban Institute, the Policy Advisory Group (PAG) is a team of policy analysts focused on accelerating the development and use of actionable knowledge to shape and inform pressing policy challenges. PAG works across the Urban Institute to address a fundamental challenge for stakeholders aiming to improve outcomes for people and communities: how to bridge the gap between research and policy. The Policy Advisory Group is seeking a seasoned professional with experience in philanthropy, policy, and nonprofit sectors to work with researchers to design programs of work that inform policy and practice.

How you’ll contribute

The Director of Program Development in the Policy Advisory Group (PAG) will work closely with researchers across the Urban Institute in the development and design of new multi-faceted programs of research that blend Urban’s research expertise with an emerging set of skills, such as advisory services, technical assistance, and convening to better connect research to decision makers. S/he will interact directly with senior management at the highest levels, and will frequently be relied on for providing essential information and inputs critical to program development functions and processes.

Responsibilities include:

New Program Development and Management (25%)

  • Design and launch new program approaches that blend advisory services, practitioner and policymaker engagement, and research.
  • Assemble scholars and policy analysts to fill roles and staff new programs.
  • Apply technical knowledge and expertise to the development of new cross-cutting programs and/or participate in enhancing existing cross-cutting programs of work.
  • Design and host convening’s and other outreach to build new programs of work.

Resource Mobilization (25%)

  • Work closely with senior scholars and resource development colleagues to develop compelling concepts for funding strategic initiatives and growing research programs.
  • Develop templates and a consistent approach for designing new programs that include helping scholars assess the policy ecosystem and decision maker needs, and how best to engage and position work with potential funders.
  • Coordinate with scholars to identify upcoming opportunities to build support for strategic initiatives and research programs and provide coaching on pitch and approach.
  • Serve as the proposal director for other key strategic initiatives, and ensures that the research and policy team creates a competitive proposal and maintains collaborative and productive relationships.
  • Oversee and collaborate with key stakeholders to make key decisions regarding both the technical and cost components of proposals.
  • Remain informed and up-to-date on major donor trends, policies, and procurements.

Capacity Building for Program Development (25%)

  • Collaborate closely with scholars to strengthen Urban’s program development capacity, by working with and managing other stakeholders that develop trainings and host brown bags on key topics such as program development, translating research to policy and practice, developing evidence-informed policy recommendations.
  • Advise research colleagues on strategies to engage philanthropy in thought partnerships
  • Partner with research colleagues in thought partnerships with philanthropy.

Network and Partnership Development (15%)

  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with key donors.
  • Share information about donor interests and intentions with colleagues.
  • Represent Urban to key external audiences and networks.

Human Resources Management (10%)

  • Supervise some members of the Policy Advisory Group that engage in program development and design

What you’ll bring

The successful candidate will have:

  • A Master’s degree in Public Policy or a related field; or the academic knowledge of and experience in a discipline that is generally associated with the attainment of a Master’s degree
  • Senior management experience with a minimum 10 – 15 years of experience designing and managing programs and mobilizing resources.
  • Demonstrated track record in securing philanthropic funding.
  • Highly developed proposal-writing skills with the ability to develop programs for philanthropic investment.
  • Highly developed critical thinking to craft approaches to secure new funding opportunities.
  • Established networks within/familiarity with research, policy and donor community.
  • Excellent writing and verbal communication skills to distill complicated concepts into clear consistent, and direct messages to a diverse audience.
  • Proven ability to think and act strategically, and mobilize support for a vision.
  • Policy and research programming experience and perspective preferred, including ability to work productively with a diverse range of researchers.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work effectively in teams.
  • Experience supervising or mentoring employees strongly preferred.
  • Ability to travel up to 25 percent of the time.

What you’ll experience

Working in the Nation’s Capital- the epicenter of public policy- among a network of policy experts, you can expect to have an impact on policy areas you care about and work with great colleagues who are smart, mission-driven, and collaborative. You will blend academic rigor with on-the-ground collaboration, be encouraged and supported to fulfill your potential through meaningful work that matters and, enjoy a welcoming workplace free from harassment, discrimination and intolerance.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage. Competitive paid time off allowance, and eligibility to participate in a generous retirement savings plan plus elect a pretax benefit for commuting expenses.

The Urban Institute is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other protected status under applicable law.

The Urban Institute is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Minorities/Women/Disabilities/Veterans.

How To Apply

Please click on the following link:

https://urban.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Urban-Careers/job/The-Urban-Institute-DC/Director-of-Program-Development–Policy-Advisory-Group-_R-800295-1

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