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Job Type: Regular Overview RAND Global and Emerging Risks brings together the world’s leading experts, scholars, strategists, and practitioners to understand, prepare, and address rapid advance of artificial intelligence, growing biological threats, a transforming climate, and intensified strategic competition. Its mission is to inform decisionmakers’ understanding of – and approaches to – consequential challenges to civilization and global security. Position Description The Vice President serves as the executive leader for the division and a key contributor to RAND’s global strategy. The VP sets and executes the division’s strategic vision; ensures research excellence and impact; leads people, partnerships, and financial performance; and represents RAND to senior leaders worldwide. The role oversees research centers focused on catastrophic risks from emerging technologies, global competition, and climate; method centers advancing forecasting and decision-making under deep uncertainty; and RAND’s international policy chairs. The VP also directs the RAND Global and Emerging Risks advisory board. Position will be managed on a 5-year term with the possibility to extend up to two additional years. Position reports to the Senior Vice President for Research & Analysis and includes matching AA support. Responsibilities: Provide executive leadership for all activities of the Global and Emerging Risks division, including strategy, research quality, people, partnerships, and financial performance Oversee the division’s research centers: Center on AI, Security, and Technology; Center on the Geopolitics of Artificial General Intelligence; China Research Center; and Center for Climate and Energy Futures Oversee RAND international chairs: Tang Chair in China Policy Studies; Taiwan Policy Initiative; Russia and Eurasia Policy Chair; Korea Policy Chair; Israel Policy Chair; and Strategy and Diplomacy Chair. Oversee the division’s method centers: RAND Frederick S. Pardee Center for Longer Range Global Policy and the Future Human Condition; and RAND Forecasting Initiative Develop and execute the division’s strategic plan, including research priorities, revenue strategy, hiring plans, and talent development Ensure research excellence, methodological rigor, and alignment with RAND’s broader strategic objectives Collaborate with RAND’s U.S. research division leaders to strengthen business development, expand global policy impact, and coordinate government engagement Represent RAND to senior government officials, heads of state, and international dignitaries as a principal spokesperson on global and emerging risks Lead donor engagement for the division, including cultivation, stewardship, events, and leadership of the Global and Emerging Risks advisory board Build and sustain strategic partnerships with government, industry, academia, and philanthropic organizations Promote adoption of cutting‑edge technologies and methodologies to improve research quality and impact Qualifications Exceptional executive management skills, including leadership, interpersonal communication, and team‑building capabilities Demonstrated ability to lead large, multi‑disciplinary teams and to coach and mentor senior leaders and researchers Recognized expertise in at least one of the division’s core domains (AI, synthetic biology, China, or climate/energy) and ability to lead across the full portfolio Strong network of contacts across government, academia, and industry Proven track record of philanthropic fund raising Excellent analytic skills, with the ability to oversee research quality, understand diverse methodologies, and articulate RAND’s analytical capabilities Demonstrated experience engaging senior U.S. and international officials Ability to travel approximately 20% of the time Education Requirements A master's or other advanced degree is required, ideally in a field related to RAND’s programmatic areas. Experience Proven senior-level management experience in a non-profit research institute or university setting, a for-profit entity that has significant government client relationships, or government, along with analytical experience A minimum of 10 years of related experience Experience developing strategic and business plans is desirable with extensive research and research leadership experience strongly preferred Experience working with a Board of Directors or Trustees is desirable Security Clearance Current possession of a U.S. security clearance, or the ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance, is required. Location This is a flexible (hybrid) position based at one of RAND’s U.S. offices—Washington, DC; Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; or Boston, MA. An average of 50% onsite presence is required. Application review Application review will begin February 2, 2026. Salary Range: $300,000 - $383,250 Base Salary: $300,000 - $365,000 Full Salary: $315,000 - $383,250 #LI-DNI Equal Opportunity Employer RAND is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND’s research and analysis address issues that impact people everywhere, including security, health, education, sustainability, growth, and development. RAND has approximately 1,750 people working in offices in the United States, Europe, and Australia, with annual revenues of $470 million. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. Our research is sponsored by government agencies, international organizations, and foundations. We rely on philanthropic support to pursue visionary ideas; address critical problems that are under-researched; and devise innovative approaches for solving acute, complex, or provocative policy challenges. RAND values objectivity and integrity in both its research processes and internal interactions. We emphasize a collegial environment that respects the contributions and dignity of all staff. RAND's reputation is built on quality and objectivity. RAND provides an exciting intellectual environment and opportunities for career growth with challenging assignments. As collaboration in interdisciplinary teams is an essential operating principle at RAND, we hire highly qualified talent and empower our people to do their best work by fostering a culture in which different views, backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives are valued and respected, and staff have a sense of belonging with their colleagues, fair access to opportunities, and feel comfortable bringing their best selves to work each day. As part of our commitment to Equal Opportunity Employment, we welcome all applicants from a broad range of backgrounds and experiences to apply for this exciting opportunity. RAND is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact Human Resources at (310) 393-0411 or at jobs@rand.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.