Vice President, Global Research Talent (GRT)

Job Type:

Overview of GRT

GRT's mission is to cultivate RAND's world-class intellectual and scientific community and culture. GRT is designed to facilitate the flow of people, methods, ideas, and knowledge across RAND's entire research portfolio. GRT consists of five departments: Behavioral & Policy Sciences (BPS); Defense & Political Sciences (DPS); Engineering & Applied Sciences (EAS); Economics, Sociology & Statistics (ESS); and Research Residents and Specialists (RRS).)

Position Description

The Vice President for Global Research Talent oversees RAND's research workforce and is responsible for recruiting, hiring, developing, and retaining RAND's research staff and ensuring RAND has the best available policy research talent in the world. The Vice President broadly focuses on building an adaptive research culture that supports development of high-performing leaders and teams to produce innovative and high-impact research and analysis results.

This position is resourced at 90% (time and is a 5-year term, with an option of a 2-year extension. Ideally, the incumbent would retain an active research role of approximately 10% time or more. Position includes matching AA support. Position reports to the Senior Vice President for Research and Analysis.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop RAND's research, analytic, and leadership capability and oversee all RAND U.S. recruiting, hiring, professional development, and retention of research and research support staff

• Oversee RAND's research departments and ~900 core research staff plus ~400 adjunct staff

• Develop and lead initiatives to foster engagement, leadership and talent development, high-performing teams, and collaboration

• Contribute to the development and execution of a strategic vision for transforming the conduct of research to a fully integrated AI-enabled workforce

• Assist with recruitment, hiring, and professional development of executive level research talent

• Work externally to enhance the reputation of RAND, especially as it relates to attracting and supporting top research talent

• Work closely with the SVP for Research and Analysis and in collaboration with research division directors and senior management across RAND to improve the functioning of research matrix management and increase operational agility and innovation

• Work jointly with the VP of Human Resources to design and implement critical talent acquisition and workforce management support such as strategic outreach and recruiting, workforce planning, performance evaluation, professional development, and succession planning for the research and analysis organization

• Serve as principal strategic advisor to the CEO and SVP on research analytic capability and provide direct support to the SVP Research and Analysis and RAND President and CEO as required

Qualifications

• Experience leading high-caliber talent in a multidisciplinary enterprise and implementing large-scale change initiatives

• Ability to create synergies among/across organizational divisions/sectors; broad interests and ability to interact and collaborate with others throughout the organization

• Senior research experience with demonstrated commitment to cultivating RAND's scientific community and intellectual familiarity with research processes and practices

• A record of institutional contributions particularly in the areas of people management and leadership of strategic initiatives; experience developing and leading teams

• Strong people management and interpersonal skills; and solid working relationships with senior leadership

• Commitment to preserving RAND's reputation for quality and objectivity and to achieving its objective of making a difference

• Ability to be prominent and comfortable on the national and international stage, and to promote such visibility among others within RAND

• Flexibility to travel to RAND's major offices throughout the year and ability to travel approximately 20% of the time

• Willingness to refrain from personal participation in policy advocacy and political campaigns

• Ability to obtain a United States security clearance

Education Requirements

Master's Degree or equivalent required; PhD preferred

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years proven senior executive-level management experience in a non-profit research institute or university setting, or a for-profit entity that has significant government client relationships.

• Minimum 10 years of research leadership or related experience

• At least 3 years' experience leading policy research is preferred

• Experience developing strategic and business plans is preferred.

Security Clearance

Eligibility to obtain and maintain Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Fitness and Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance is required. Please note that U.S. citizenship is required to obtain and maintain security clearances.

Location

This is a hybrid role (at least 50% office presence required at a RAND office in Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; Arlington, VA or Boston, MA). Fully remote is not available for this role.

Application Review

Review of applications will begin on September 22, 2025.

Salary Range: $320,000 - $385,000

RAND considers a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the specific role and associated responsibilities; a candidate's work experience, education/training, skills, expertise; and internal equity.The salary range includes base pay plus RAND's sabbatic pay (which provides additional compensation above base pay when vacation is taken). This position may be eligible for additional compensation. In addition, RAND provides strong benefits including health insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, savings plan, paid time-off and more.

Equal Opportunity Employer