Hybrid Senior Director, Geo-Economics presso Milken Institute

About the Milken Institute

The Milken Institute is a globally minded, publicly supported, non-partisan, and nonprofit think tank headquartered in Santa Monica, with offices in Washington, DC, New York, London, Abu Dhabi, and Singapore. For the past three decades, the Milken Institute has served as a catalyst for practical, scalable solutions to global challenges by connecting human, financial, and educational resources to those who need them. Guided by a conviction that the best ideas, under-resourced, cannot succeed, we conduct research and analysis and convene top experts, innovators, and influencers from different backgrounds and competing viewpoints. We leverage this expertise and insight to construct programs and policy initiatives. These activities are designed to help people build meaningful lives, in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.

The Milken Institute’s events and programmatic activities, involve the exchange of ideas with leaders from around the world. The Institute hosts more than 200 events each year, with our annual flagship event, Global Conference, bringing together 4,500+ participants from around the world, featuring more than 900+ speakers throughout 200+ sessions over the course of the event.  

About MI Finance 

MI Finance is a part of the Milken Institute, a non-profit, nonpartisan think tank that helps people build meaningful lives in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities.  More specifically, MI Finance promotes financial market understanding and works to expand access to capital, strengthen and deepen financial markets, and develop innovative financial solutions to the most pressing global challenges.

About the Position 

The Milken Institute is seeking a strategic, intellectually curious, and highly networked individual to lead the development and execution of an enhanced content and data-driven Geo-Economics program tailored to the needs of sovereign wealth funds, public pension funds, and other long-term asset owners and institutional investors.

This role will be central to enhancing the Milken Institute’s work and content offerings as a premier convenor and thought partner for the world’s leading asset owners, helping them navigate an increasingly complex investment landscape shaped by geopolitical shifts, climate change risks, technological disruption, and evolving macroeconomic conditions.

This is a unique opportunity to shape a globally influential program at the intersection of finance, policy, development, and long-term investment. You will work alongside world-class experts and leaders to help institutional investors make better decisions and drive sustainable prosperity.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Senior Director for Strategy, MI Finance, the final candidate will be responsible for the following activities:

• Design and implement a high-impact engagement strategy for sovereign wealth funds, public pension funds, and other asset owners and institutional investors.
• Maintain and grow MI Finance partnerships with key external organizations to advance core objectives. 
• Produce and/or manage the development of written outputs including reports, white papers, articles, op-ed, presentations, and other thought leadership materials.
• Provide thought leadership, including by representing MI Finance at conferences, meetings, and workshops as a speaker and panelist at MI events and external events. 
• Build relationships and collaborates with other MI pillars to advance MI Finance objectives.
• Develop a compelling content agenda aligned with the strategic concerns of asset owners, including sustainability, governance, diversification, and geopolitical risk.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to ensure content is timely, relevant, and actionable.
• Work across Milken Institute programs to leverage internal expertise and ensure alignment with broader institutional goals.
• Build investor “affinity groups” as relevant and appropriate.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with senior executives at major asset owner institutions globally.
• Serve as a key point of contact for asset owners, understanding their priorities and aligning them with Milken Institute initiatives.
• Oversee the production of high-value written content, including reports, summaries, and thought leadership pieces that reflect the insights and outcomes of convenings.
• Collaborate with asset owners and research partners to co-create content aligned with their focus areas.
• Able to engage in domestic and international travel as required.
• Duties as assigned. 

We’re looking for professionals who are:

• Outcome-focused and strategic: The chosen leader will be passionate about applied research, clear outcomes, internal team-building, and the value of strategic partnerships and innovation;
• Analytical, creative and rigorous thinkers: We are seeking a detail-oriented and flexible problem solver who can synthesize diverse streams of information and switch comfortably between academic and real world thinking;
• Roll-up-your-sleeves executers and adaptive thinkers:  MI leaders are comfortable with engaging in ambitious projects and for refinement and adaptation along the way to reach key metrics.
• Proven content creation: either as an author or communications/research director;
• Collaborative/team players: MI leaders collaborate well with multidisciplinary teams across the Institute, comfortably taking leadership when necessary as well as following directions.

Qualifications

• PhD required.
• 10+ years of experience in institutional investment, sovereign wealth fund or other asset owner focused work.  
• Deep understanding of the priorities, challenges, and governance structures of sovereign wealth funds and public pension funds.
• Global networking experience and skills.
• Proven ability to build and manage senior-level players across public and private sectors.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and content development skills.
• Experience designing and executing high-level convenings or strategic dialogues.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities.
• A global mindset and willingness to travel internationally.
• Excellent writing, editing skills, research, analytical, and skills.
• Demonstrated overall communication skills, facilitation abilities, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail and high standards of excellence.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Experience working in multicultural environments.

Working Conditions & Travel Requirements

This position will work in a professional office environment on a hybrid schedule consisting of three (3) days per week reporting in-person to the Washington, DC office location (Tuesday – Thursday), with the remaining two (2) days working remotely. Please understand, this schedule is subject to change at the Institute’s sole discretion. 

This person will also be required to travel occasionally to other offices and/or venues to assist with events as needed, requiring occasional work outside of traditional hours. International along with domestic travel is possible. Additionally, this position requires interacting virtually on a regular basis with Milken Institute staff based in other locations in the United States and around the world. 

Note

The statements herein are intended to describe the overall nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer. 

We are interested in qualified candidates who are eligible to work in the United States. Please note, we are not sponsoring visas at this time, being authorized to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment.

Please submit resume and cover letter illustrating how your experience and skills will contribute to the department and any unique qualities you bring to the position. If applying via Indeed, please upload your resume and any supporting documentation as one attachment. Any application that does not include both a resume and cover letter will be rejected. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact our Human Resources department to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Our Culture

The Milken Institute is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran. 

Every person at the Milken Institute is treated with respect, supported with resources and training, and exposed to a broad range of experiences. We foster a space for growth with opportunities to share knowledge and passion with both clients and colleagues. We are committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Our leadership is actively involved in our commitment to diversity and inclusion, and fostering a culture that creates opportunities for everyone. 

Benefits

• Health Care Plan (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• Retirement Plan - 403b (5% match)
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary & AD&D)
• Paid Time Off (Personal, Vacation, Sick & Public Holidays)
• Family Leave (Maternity & Paternity)
• Fertility Support
• Short-Term & Long-Term Disability 
• Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
• Pet Insurance Discount
• Training & Development:
• LinkedIn Learning – over 15,000 self-guided classes offered
• Annual Mentor Program
• Wellness Resources:
• Employee Assistance Program
• CALM app membership