Job Description

Overview

Job Details Job Location : Atlantic Council Headquarters - Washington, DC Salary Range : $150000.00 - $200000.00 Salary/year

The Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative is housed within the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security and works to advance resilience as a core tenet of US and allied national security policy and practice. The Initiative examines the sources of, and develops strategies for, enhancing individual, societal, and global resilience to help the United States and its allies and partners better prepare for, navigate, and adapt to an increasingly complex global threat environment. The Initiative covers key policy domains integral to national security resilience, such as individual and psychological resilience, homeland security, critical infrastructure resilience, societal readiness for crisis, and more. The Initiative directly supports the Scowcroft Centers mission by developing sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address major security challenges.

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security works to develop sustainable, nonpartisan strategies to address the most important security challenges and opportunities facing the United States and the world. The Center honors General Brent Scowcrofts legacy and embodies a nonpartisan commitment to security, U.S. leadership in cooperation with allies and partners, and mentorship for the next generation of leaders.

Overview of the Role

The Atlantic Council seeks an innovative, collaborative, and proactive global strategic thinker with a track record of shaping public debate and influencing US and allied national security resilience policy to serve as Director of the Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative. The Director will report to the Vice President and Senior Director of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. The successful candidate will be organized, operationally savvy, and experienced in leadership and management, responsible for developing and overseeing the Initiatives annual strategy and budget; expanding business development and fundraising opportunities, including cultivating new partnerships and managing existing donor relationships; producing innovative thought leadership on US and allied resilience issues; and leading and mentoring a small team to execute the Initiatives mission.

A proven track record in project management is required, and strong networks among national security resilience-oriented policymakers and stakeholders, across interdisciplinary sectors noted above, in Washington and beyond, would be advantageous.

The position is based in Washington, DC headquarters requiring 4 days per week in office. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with an annual salary range of $150,000 to $200,000. Applications submitted by October 13, 2025, will be prioritized for consideration.

Responsibilities

• Intellectual Leadership. Play a leading role in developing the intellectual content and policy frameworks that advance the Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiatives mission. Advance resilience programming through written work, events, and speaking opportunities within and outside the Council. Develop selected issues on which the director maintains a profile and is respected in the policy community for thought leadership.
• Programmatic Design and Oversight. Spearhead the design, development, and implementation of annual strategy and budget plans for the Initiative aimed at influencing policy and impacting the public debate on US and allied national security resilience in a changing world. Advance this mission through public and private events, establishing task forces, and other innovative engagements. Manage a small team of staff, multiple projects, and high-level donor relationships simultaneously.
• Business Development. Contribute programmatic ideas for the Initiative, helping craft proposals for funding that can generate financial support for new and existing lines of effort. Working with Scowcroft Center leadership, the Office of External Relations, and other Atlantic Council centers and programs, build the Initiatives funding base by sustaining current financial support and pursuing additional support from corporations, governments, international organizations, foundations, and individuals.
• Outreach/Communications. Represent the Atlantic Council externally with the administration, Congress, the diplomatic community and foreign governments, donors, media, etc., as well as at public and private events and international conferences.
• Financial Management. Serve as a reliable steward of Initiative and Council funds. Oversee expenses and revenues, management of budgets and anticipated fundraising, and ensure program solvency.

Qualifications

• Masters degree and at least 8-10 years of work experience in a relevant field is required.
• Relevant work experience, preferably in risk and/or resilience planning and policy, across foreign policy/national security/defense, the private sector, government, and/or a non-governmental organization.
• Substantial high-level leadership and communication skills with the ability to build non-partisan communities of influence around key strategic resilience and policy priorities.
• Extensive experience in project management and a proven track record of business development success.
• An entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving and project management.
• Superior writing/communication skills and outstanding interpersonal skills to work well with all levels of experience and influence, from interns to senior officials.
• Outstanding interpersonal and relationship management skills, including the ability to identify and work through challenges, underscored by strong judgment and emotional intelligence.
• Team player with a can-do attitude and a passion for the organizations mission; embodiment of organizational values of teamwork and optimism.

Benefits

To produce quality work and successfully achieve our mission, we recognize the need for staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a work/life balance. Our comprehensive benefits package helps to keep costs low for staff and their families. Benefits include, but are not limited to comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, 403(b) plan, FSA options, pet insurance, Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and wellness benefits.

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