Center Director and Senior Fellow

Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank, whose mission is to inform and improve public policy in California through independent, objective, nonpartisan research. PPIC offers high-quality research and analysis to a broad policy-oriented audience, encouraging productive dialogue and inspiring the search for sustainable policy solutions in Sacramento and around the state. PPIC’s events feature viewpoints from across the political spectrum and promote thoughtful and respectful discussions on critical issues facing California.  

More information about PPIC can be found on our website. 

Locations:  San Francisco, CA. or Sacramento CA. 

Purpose of the Role:

The Director of PPIC’s Water Policy Center (WPC) is a recognized scholar and policy expert with a track record of effective research management, who will provide vision and direction as the Center prepares to enter its second decade. The WPC, launched in 2015, connects rigorous, nonpartisan research to real-world management debates, with the goal of putting California’s water and related natural resource policies on a sustainable and constructive path. The Center’s work has spurred innovative management solutions that support a healthy economy, environment, and society—now and for future generations. A hallmark of the Center’s approach is collaboration—with a broad nation-wide network of talented researchers and a wide range of stakeholders from across the state’s sectors and regions.

With a strong track record of conducting compelling research, the Center Director will lead this dynamic policy area and serve as a resource for key decision makers and stakeholders. They will be responsible for managing a talented in-house team and the operating budget for the Center’s activities, and will be a member of PPIC’s executive team, reporting to the President’s Office.

One of the new leader’s early undertakings will be to spearhead a refresh of the WPC’s strategic plan. Today, the Center concentrates on three critical, interrelated areas that are increasingly challenging in our changing climate:

• Ensuring clean and reliable water supplies: Investigating comprehensive, integrated approaches to improving water quantity and quality; encouraging sustainable groundwater management; and inspiring equitable outcomes across California’s diverse communities.
• Building healthy and resilient ecosystems: Promoting healthier, more climate-resilient ecosystems using practical approaches to watershed management.
• Preparing for droughts, floods, and wildfires: Helping California better manage water, land, and air resources to adapt to a warming, increasingly volatile climate.
• Building on the success of the Center’s work to date, this strategic refresh offers the opportunity to refine priorities and further grow the Center’s partnerships, influence, and impact in building a sustainable future for California.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide leadership and vision for research and engagement efforts of the PPIC Water Policy Center
• Represent PPIC and the WPC to external audiences throughout the state and beyond
• Manage and mentor diverse WPC research, operations, and communications staff and encourage and facilitate collaboration with other PPIC colleagues and outside researchers
• Work closely with Center staff, other PPIC colleagues, and external partners to plan and execute strategies for engaging external audiences with compelling publications, meetings, and events
• Responsibly manage the operating budget for the WPC
• Work with PPIC’s development team and other colleagues to secure new funding in support of WPC projects and initiatives
• Provide periodic updates to the President and CEO and the executive team
• Collaborate with the President and CEO and the executive team on organizational planning, policies, and procedures and implementation of institute-wide strategies
• Steward the WPC’s Advisory Council and provide periodic input to PPIC’s board 

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate will bring the following qualifications and areas of experience:

• At least ten years in management, ideally in a nonpartisan, policy-focused research organization
• Has led research teams and engaged in activities to reach policy audiences
• Has experience networking with diverse stakeholders (e.g., policymakers, interest groups, funders)
• Has a successful track record in fund raising, writing grant proposals, and managing budgets
• Has developed and executed strategic plans
• Has effectively led, managed, and mentored high-performing teams for a sustained duration
• Has experience working cross functionally with other groups in an organization
• Familiarity with California and western water and natural resource issues is a plus
  Education: Holds a doctoral level degree in economics, public policy, engineering, law or related discipline 

COMPETENCIES / ATTRIBUTES

• Brings Knowledge and Research Experience in Natural Resources and Public Policy. Has a research background at their core, is knowledgeable about natural resources, and prolific in creating impactful, high quality work products along with a nuanced understanding of policy making environments
• Is Strategic and Envisions New Possibilities. Is a visionary who is strategic and capable of refreshing WPC’s core strategy while ensuring that it reflects WPC’s mission and accomplishes this by partnering and aligning with both internal and external stakeholders
• Cultivates Respect, Credibility, and Followership. Communicates with confidence and agility, cultivates followership with diverse stakeholder groups, and is inclusive of diverse perspectives while maintaining a non-partisan approach
• Is An Experienced Fund Developer Who Builds and Leverages Networks. Has financial acumen and serves as the main voice, along with WPC colleagues, in conducting outreach and building strong and sustainable networks in both funder and research communities
• Leads and Manages a Highly Effective Team. Attracts and develops talent and leads an effective team aligned on a clear research agenda, and establishes highly inclusive and collaborative operating rhythms and processes for delivering impactful research
• Is An Effective Organizational Leader. Models PPICs core values and contributes to institute-wide discussions and initiatives as a collaborative thought partner to executive team peers and other PPIC colleagues
• PPIC values the wide variety of backgrounds and experiences of its staff, and key elements in the consideration of qualified candidates include excellence; diversity of talents, backgrounds, and viewpoints; and a strong fit with the Institute’s mission, values, and goals. 

Compensation and Benefits:

This role offers a competitive base salary of $210,000–$280,000, depending on experience, plus a generous benefit package, excellent work environment, and an exciting mission that will inspire you daily! The comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependents. PPIC generously contributes the equivalent to 9% of the salary offered towards the retirement plan. The organization provides 12 paid holidays and 28 days of paid time off annually (PTO balance increases with tenure) and more! 

How to Apply:

We are looking to fill this position as soon as possible. We will be reviewing applications as they come in. Candidates should provide a cover letter describing their interest in and qualifications for the position, a resume, two to three writing samples geared towards a policy audience, one to three links to videos of presentations that highlight their public speaking skills, and a list of at least three references.

As an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, PPIC is committed to excellence through diversity.