Managing Director, Strategy Implementation (Job ID : 2025-3756)

Overview

Join one of the most influential, most quoted, and most trusted think tanks! The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct in-depth research that leads to new ideas for solving problems facing society at the local, national, and global level. We bring together leading experts in government and academia to provide high-quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis across a full range of public policy issues.

With fair and transparent business practices, clear communication, mutual respect, and a collaborative atmosphere that offers professional and personal development opportunities, Brookings offers an inclusive workplace that values all contributors.

The Executive Office (EO) moves the Brookings mission forward by supporting and guiding the research programs, external affairs, and business operations of the institution.

Position Location

This position is hybrid. It combines regular in-person presence at our Washington, DC office with the option of two days of remote work each week.

Responsibilities

The Managing Director, Strategy Implementation is responsible for designing and leading a high-performing organizational function that accelerates strategic execution and transformation excellence across the institution. This position will shape a scalable, future-ready framework that strengthens organizational resilience, enhances performance, and fosters adoption of new ways of working to achieve the goals outlined in Brookings' multiyear strategic plan. The role provides clarity, structure, and support in navigating complex change, translating cultural and behavioral dimensions of transformation—such as mindset, adaptability, and collaboration—into measurable and sustainable practices.

This is a three-year term appointment.

Strategic Implementation Planning

Develop and lead the implementation of the organization's strategic plan across all research programs and business units.

Engage the Brookings community to translate strategic goals into actionable workstreams, milestones, and measurable outcomes.

Establish and operationalize a governance model to track progress, elevate issues, and support decision-making.

Ensure alignment between strategic initiatives, budgets, and resource allocation.

Performance Management & Measurement

Develop and manage dashboards, performance indicators, and reporting processes to measure progress toward strategic objectives.

Identify risks, dependencies, and barriers to implementation, and proactively recommend corrective actions.

Facilitate regular strategic reviews with executive leadership and stakeholders.

Change Leadership & Communication

Manage an in-house implementation team and assess the need for, source, and manage consultants as needed.

Drive cross-functional engagement to foster ownership, accountability, and collaboration.

Support stakeholder engagement, communication, and change-management best practices to ensure organization-wide understanding and adoption of the strategic plan.

Build confidence and alignment through transparent communication, storytelling, and shared success metrics.

Equip leaders with tools, templates, and processes to manage strategic execution within their areas.

Capability Building & Sustainability

Build internal capacity for challenge identification and prioritization, change management, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

Coach change leaders and teams on outcome-based thinking and organizational alignment.

Develop documentation, playbooks, and frameworks to ensure continuity and momentum throughout the strategic implementation timeline.

Strategic Advisory & Collaboration

Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the Vice President, Chief of Staff, and the broader Executive Leadership Team on transformation priorities and readiness.

Cultivate strong partnerships across functional areas to ensure unified transformation delivery.

Represent the transformation agenda at board, executive, and enterprise forums, providing insight on progress and impact.

Seniority Level

Director

Employment Type

Contract

Job Function

Management

Industry

Think Tanks

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