The Proliferation and Nuclear Policy (PNP) team conducts research and convenes dialogue on a range of nuclear, chemical and biological weapon matters. The team has five main programmes of work. 

About the role

We are seeking an inspiring leader with a strong background in WMD issues to provide strategic direction to our team. The post holder will have three key responsibilities:

• The Director will lead in business development; maintaining and growing the level of financial support for the programme; promoting the team’s work; and managing relationships with key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. This includes taking active steps to develop the team’s portfolio beyond nuclear issues.
• The Director will maintain and deepen the team’s reputation for high quality and independent research, including through identifying key areas for cutting-edge research and opportunities for potential policy impact, delivering programmes of research as part of the team, and providing rigorous quality control of all outputs.
• The Director will manage and mentor our team of in-house researchers and will represent PNP at the Management Group level within RUSI.

The new Director will be responsible for:

• Providing strategic direction and leadership across the team.
• Business development and fundraising for the programme.
• Overseeing delivery of PNP’s portfolio of research and other projects and maintaining and improving our standards.
• Relationship management with key individuals, organisations, and stakeholders at senior levels in the UK and abroad.

Person Specification

Essential skills and experience:

• Proven expertise on one or more aspects of WMD issues, and at least a sound understanding of nuclear weapons issues if the candidate’s primary expertise lies elsewhere.
• Track record of successful fundraising, either by bid-writing or other methods.
• Management experience, including supervision or line management.
• Budget management, or significant involvement in financial planning and reporting.
• An understanding of the relevant stakeholders for WMD-related research both in the UK and internationally.

Desirable skills and experience:

• A track record of publications on WMD issues.
• Media work and public speaking.
• Monitoring and Evaluation training and/or experience.