Managing Director, China & World Institute

Johns Hopkins is seeking a Managing Director, China & World institute to play a pivotal role in the launch and growth of the new China and the World Institute at SAIS. The mission of the Institute is to bring greater rigor and reason to public and policy discussions on China, spearheading efforts to generate new knowledge and strategic insights to “get China right.” Working closely with and reporting to the inaugural Faculty Director, the Managing Director leads the strategic development, management, and advancement of the Institute, playing a critical role in building a leading center for interdisciplinary research, education, and public engagement on China's role in the world.

The Managing Director must be energetic and capable of effectively managing and tracking small to large-scale projects and events involving a diverse group of internal and external researchers, experts, and practitioners. Candidate must demonstrate ability to proactively identify and improve projects and processes with a growth mindset. This individual will be a vital member of a fast-paced multidisciplinary hub of professionals and will manage all institute research and programmatic priorities from big picture to task levels.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Research and Program Management (50%)

• Ensures compliance with relevant institutional policies, regulations, and ethical standards, while proactively identifying and mitigating risks to the Institute's reputation and operations.
• Supports faculty in proposal development process.

• Writes and edits proposal sections, collects information from partners and subawardees, drafts supporting documents/tables, biosketches, and letters of support.

• Utilizes research and policy knowledge to edit grant sections including specific aims, project summary, project narrative, and research strategy.

• Utilizes knowledge of departmental, institutional and grant submission requirements to edit and correctly format other grant sections, such as equipment, facilities and resources, human subjects, and scientific rigor and reproducibility.

Operations Management (25%)

• Oversees all operational aspects of the institute’s research and programming, including budgeting, financial management, human resources, facilities, and administrative processes, ensuring efficient and effective resource utilization.

• Collaboratively sets agendas for Institute staff and advisory meetings.

• Works with Faculty Director to manage budgets.

• Works closely with the Faculty Director to establish and maintain a central portfolio tracker of reporting, funding, submission, and programmatic deadlines across the Institute using project management software.

• Designs and creates standard operating procedures and manual of operating procedures as related to program management, institute affiliates, student fellows, predoctoral and postdoctoral associates, publications, and other needs.

• Organizes and meets regularly with Institute teams to review overall progress. Collaboratively sets agendas for Institute staff and advisory meetings.

• Develops job descriptions, screens/interviews candidates, recruits, and provides guidance to new staff, research assistants, fellows, contractors, and affiliates to support the Institute as needed.

• Meets with Institute staff and researchers regularly, troubleshoot issues, co-develop work plans and professional development goals, and help prioritize tasks.

• Fosters a collaborative and inclusive work environment conducive to professional growth and excellence.

• Oversees the appointment of, provide guidance to, and build relationships with Institute affiliates and researchers.

Grants Management and Administration (15%)

• Works independently on a variety of grants/contracts that range from simple to highly complex, including oversight of federal grants and private funds. These grants, contracts and awards may involve highly detailed budgets, multiple projects, and foundation grants.
  
• Supports Institute faculty in efforts to secure external funding and support for research activities, programs, and initiatives, cultivating relationships with donors, sponsors, and funding agencies.
  
• Prepares written reports for sponsors and donors.
  
• Works closely with financial and development teams to ensure timely reporting to funders, compliance with regulatory requirements, and timely reporting and publication of results.
  
• Ensures compliance with relevant institutional policies,