Director, United States

Overview

A leading research and advisory firm is looking to hire a Director to join its Washington DC office.

Headquartered in New York, the firm has offices in Washington, London, São Paulo, Brasilia, Tokyo, Singapore, and San Francisco, as well as on-the-ground experts in more than a hundred countries in every region of the world.

The firm is seeking a Director, United States Practice to lead coverage of US economic statecraft and national security policy tools, with a focus on trade policy, investment restrictions (including CFIUS), export controls, and sanctions. Based in Washington, DC, this is a senior research role for an experienced policy professional and analyst who can translate fast-moving policy and political developments into clear, actionable analysis for a sophisticated client audience.

Reporting to the US Practice Head, the Director will contribute to the United States team’s daily note production and deliver larger analytical pieces in coordination with other country and thematic practices (e.g., geoeconomics, China, energy, technology, defense, and global macro/markets).

Key Responsibilities

• Own and drive analytical coverage of US economic security policy, including:
  • Trade policy and trade enforcement
  • Investment restrictions, including CFIUS and related inbound/outbound screening tools
  • Export controls and technology controls (including emerging and foundational technologies)
  • Sanctions design, escalation pathways, enforcement, and geopolitical spillovers
• Produce timely, decision-useful written analysis, including:
  • Contributions to the US daily note cadence (rapid-turn insight on developments, implications, and signposts)
  • Longer-form deliverables (deep dives, structural pieces, scenario-driven analysis) in partnership with other teams
• Identify key policy inflection points and translate Washington process into forecasts:
  • Map stakeholders and decision points across the White House, relevant agencies, and Congress
  • Track regulatory, legislative, and political dynamics that affect policy implementation and durability
• Develop forward-looking frameworks for clients on how US restrictions/tools affect:
  • Cross-border investment and M&A risk
  • Supply chains, market access, and compliance exposure
  • Competitive positioning across sectors sensitive to national security policy
  • Collaborate across the firm to ensure integrated coverage (e.g., US-China, transatlantic coordination, global sanctions regimes, sector-specific exposures).
• Brief clients and internal stakeholders as needed (written and verbal), including participation in client calls, presentations, and internal editorial planning.
• Mentor and support junior colleagues on analytical tradecraft, writing, and subject-matter development (people management responsibilities may vary by team needs).

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• 10+ years of relevant experience, with meaningful time in US government in agencies central to these issues (e.g., Treasury, Commerce, USTR, State, NSC, relevant congressional committees, or closely related roles).
• Deep subject-matter expertise across trade, CFIUS/investment screening, export controls, and sanctions, including strong understanding of how these tools interact and evolve in practice.
• Demonstrated ability to forecast policy direction by integrating:
  • Political incentives and stakeholder interests
  • Bureaucratic process and legal/regulatory constraints
  • Geopolitical drivers and sectoral impacts
• Exceptional writing and editing skills—able to produce crisp, high-signal analysis on tight deadlines.
• Strong verbal communication skills and confidence briefing sophisticated audiences.
• Collaborative, team-oriented working style with the ability to coordinate effectively across country and thematic practices.
• High standards for analytical rigor, sourcing, and judgment under time pressure.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (MA/MPP/JD/MBA) preferred.