Senior Vice President and Chief Research Officer (SVP & CRO)

Senior Vice President And Chief Research Officer

The Senior Vice President and Chief Research Officer (SVP & CRO) reports directly to the President and CEO. This role oversees and directs all RAND research activities, including organizing and delivering RAND research to sponsors while ensuring that all completed research meets RAND's standards for quality and objectivity. Key responsibilities of this role include both developing and implementing research strategies, leading teams of managers and researchers, overseeing all business division activities and the recruitment, hiring, and training of RAND's research staff.

The incumbent is responsible for overseeing seven research divisions, four of which are Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and two international subsidiaries. Additionally, the incumbent provides oversight of RAND's research staff departments, which house all research staff, and research operations, which encompass quality assurance and the protection of human subjects. Equally critical to this role is fostering strong stakeholder engagement, building collaborative partnerships, and maintaining trusted relationships with external clients, donors, and grantors to advance RAND's mission and impact.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership :

• Develop and implement the overall research strategy and agenda, aligning research initiatives with organizational goals and priorities.
• Define research vision and priorities. Develop RAND's research plans in collaboration with research division leaders.
• Monitor trends and developments in key markets to identify emerging issues and research business opportunities.
• Develop and manage RAND's independent research program.
• Develop policies and collaborate with the SVP for Finance and Operations to develop RAND business plans.
• Support Board of Trustees activities as directed by the CEO and provide direct support to the CEO.

Research Oversight and Team Management :

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships :

Resource Management :

Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Education Requirements

Master's Degree or equivalent required in a relevant field (e.g., public policy, national security, economics); PhD preferred

Experience

Security Clearance

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

Location

Daily office presence at a RAND office in Santa Monica, CA; Pittsburgh, PA; or Arlington, VA. Fully remote or hybrid is not available for this role.

Application Review

Review of applications will begin on Monday, October 27, 2025.

Salary Range :

$375,000 - $499,000 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