Managing Director, China & World Institute at The Johns Hopkins University

Managing Director, China & World Institute

Johns Hopkins is seeking a Managing Director, China & The 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.
• 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.

Partnership Development and Outreach (5%)

• Maintains communication with external affiliates and institutions.
• Generates presentations as needed for both internal and external communications of project goals, accomplishments, and strategic plans.
• Cultivates strategic partnerships with other academic centers and institutes, governmental agencies, non-profit organizations, industry stakeholders, and other relevant entities to enhance the institute's impact and reach, both domestically and internationally.
• Engages with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, students, policymakers, media, and the broader community, to foster greater engagement with Institute research and projects.
• Attends conferences and events to support and represent the Institute’s research and policy portfolio.

Other duties as assigned (5%)

• Performs other duties as assigned to support the Institute.

Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and build consensus around shared goals and priorities.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, creativity, and adaptability.
• Knowledge and understanding of China and its role in the world.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office, reference managers, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing required.
• Demonstrated skills in oral and written communication.
• Ability to function independently with a high degree of motivation.
• Ability to manage a diverse team.
• Ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to work well with other professionals with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable cultivating a diverse professional team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's or Ph.D. in education or specific field related to program.
• Five years experience in all aspects of academic program administration. Supervisory experience preferred.
• Additional experience may substitute for education, to the extent permitted by the JHU equivalency formula.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in related discipline.
• Six years related experience including overseeing large and complex projects or research.
• Experience with and knowledge of China and/or U.S. China policy.
• Experience in fundraising, grant writing, and donor cultivation.
• Experience with strategic planning, program development, and project management.
• Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese.

Classified Title: Academic Program Manager
Job Posting Title (Working Title): Managing Director, China & World Institute
Role/Level/Range: ACRP/04/ME
Starting Salary Range: $64,600 - $113,300 Annually (Commensurate with experience)
Employee group: Full Time
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
Exempt Status: Exempt
Location: Hybrid/District of Columbia
Department name: China Studies
Personnel area: SAIS