Policy Fellow and Assistant Director

The Hoover Institution’s State and Local Governance Initiative, based at Stanford University, is seeking highly motivated Policy Fellow and Assistant Director to join our team as the executive program director focused on state and local economic policy.

A cover letter and resume are required for full consideration. You will be asked to submit a current research paper if selected to interview for this position.

About Stanford University’s Hoover Institution:  The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace is a public policy research center devoted to the advanced study of economics, politics, history, and political economy—both domestic and foreign—as well as international affairs. 

Founded in 1919 by Herbert Hoover before he became the thirty-first president of the United States, the Institution began as a repository of historical material gathered at the end of World War I.  The library and archives have grown to be among the largest private repositories of documents on twentieth-century political and economic history.  Over time the Institution expanded its mission from collecting archival material to conducting advanced research on contemporary history and economics and applying this scholarship to current public policy challenges.

With its eminent scholars and world-renowned library and archives, the Hoover Institution seeks to improve the human condition by advancing ideas that promote economic opportunity and prosperity while securing and safeguarding peace for America and all humanity.

JOB PURPOSE: 

The Hoover Institution’s State and Local Governance Initiative team offers a unique Policy Fellow opportunity to collaborate with Stanford University and Hoover Institution scholars and to publish unique empirical research. The team’s model is based on data-sharing partnerships with state and local government agencies; these partnerships enable us to access administrative data that are not publicly available and to publish novel research with rigorously evidence-based policy recommendations. This model not only leads to research publishable in high-quality journals, but also helps ensure that the research is influential with relevant policymakers. The role as Assistant Director will lead program-related staff assigned to academic programs and projects, while also managing all aspects of program development, implementation, and evaluation.

CORE DUTIES*:

●      Provide leadership direction to assigned staff to design, develop and oversee implementation of the most complex programs.
●      Oversee the pipeline of projects, identify and remove administrative obstacles and provide status updates as needed.
●      Undertake independent research on state and local economic policies, with a focus on areas such as labor economics, public finance, economic development, fiscal policy, or energy policy. Perform quantitative and qualitative analysis using economic models and data analysis tools. Use these analyses to evaluate the impact of various economic policies at the state and local levels.
●      Author or co-author academic papers and policy briefs. Present research findings at conferences, public events, and to policymakers.
●      Collaborate on research with other members of the State and Local Governance Initiative, and participate in group activities, including weekly in-person meetings and attendance at Stanford, Hoover, and group conferences.
●      Contribute to the academic growth of predocs and other junior researchers, guiding them in their own research projects.
●      Design, develop, and oversee implementation of the most complex programs. Devise and implement vision, strategy, goals, and resource development in consultation with faculty director. Assess entity/program efficacy. Shape development of research and/or teaching programs. Provide guidance to program staff or instructors.
* The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities.  Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility.  Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience: 

●   Advanced degree or combination of relevant education, training, and/or experience. Typically five or more years of relevant experience in area of specialization and five or more years relevant experience managing staff. Experience managing a budget and developing financial plans, program partnerships and funding sources. A Ph.D. in Economics, Finance, or Accounting by the start date is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

●      Post-doctoral research experience preferred.
●      A high degree of proficiency in quantitative research methodologies and data analysis software such as STATA, R, Python, etc.
●      Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to publish research in academic journals and to present research findings to a variety of audiences.
●      Proven ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
●      Self-motivated, with a strong work ethic and organizational skills and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
●      Excellent leadership skills.
●      Ability to manage budgets and develop financial plans.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a deep interest in state and local economic policy, a commitment to rigorous analysis, and a passion for contributing to meaningful policy changes. This is a full-time, two-year term position with the potential for renewal. All candidates for this role will need to be willing to work full-time from the Stanford University campus.

 
Certifications and Licenses:

 • None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Frequently stand/walk, sitting, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Occasionally use a telephone, writing by hand, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh up to 40 pounds.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork or parts, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh >40 pounds.
• Ability to use voice to present information/communicate with others.
• On-campus mobility.

* - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

 • May be required to work non-standard, extended or weekend hours in support of research work. 

The expected pay range for this position is $151,000 - $197,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

 
WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients as well as with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu .
The Hoover Institution at Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.