Deputy Director, Global Energy Center

The Atlantic Council seeks an intellectual entrepreneur and experienced thought leader as the Global Energy Center’s (GEC) overall Deputy Director and Transatlantic energy lead. The selected candidate will work closely with the Global Energy Center’s Director of Research and Programs, Vice President of Energy and Infrastructure, and Global Energy Center Leadership. This position requires close and continuous collaboration with colleagues in other regional and functional centers across the Atlantic Council.

The Deputy Director will manage all aspects of the GEC’s annual programming, working effectively across disciplines to implement the Center’s Strategy to ensure the GEC meets key programming and impact goals.

The Deputy Director will also participate significantly in the GEC’s business development pipeline and financial management, developing and soliciting funding for the Center, participating in project development, stewarding donors, managing expenses across the center, and supporting the GEC’s annual budget process.

Finally, the Deputy Director will be expected to oversee and manage the GEC’s Transatlantic Energy workstream, which aims to advance energy security, sustainability, and competitiveness by enhancing cooperation between the United States and Europe. These responsibilities will include building an annual strategy for the workstream, aligning that strategy within a revenue pipeline and expense budget, and directly managing GEC staff assigned to the workstream.

Across each of these responsibilities, the Deputy Director will be expected to sustain consistent external engagement with policymakers and other industry/NGO stakeholders, and lead their own independent thought leadership.

The successful candidate will have knowledge and experience in international energy and climate policy, and robust experience or significant aptitude in project management and business development . Particular consideration will be given to candidates with demonstrated experience in transatlantic energy affairs, and have an established bipartisan and international network of practitioners on the issues, particularly policymakers and analysts in the US and Europe. They will have an entrepreneurial spirit, exemplary communication skills, a record of publishing, and a desire to work in the fast-paced environment of the Atlantic Council.

This position is based onsite in our Washington, DC, headquarters. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers from $110,000 to $130,000. Applications submitted by January 30, 2026, will be prioritized for consideration.

Job Responsibilities

The Deputy Director will be specifically responsible for:

Programmatic Oversight, Implementation, and Thought Leadership

• Work closely with the GEC Director of Research and Programs to develop the GEC’s program strategy, inclusive of overarching workstreams/thematics, program development opportunities, stakeholder engagement, and policy impact.
• Implement that strategy through the coordination of the GEC’s annual programming (consisting of research projects and public/private events), managing multiple projects simultaneously, often involving senior experts and policy leaders, while taking responsibility for timely delivery, quality, and impact.
• Provide guidance to program staff for program activities at different stages of program execution including conceptualization, fundraising/development of proposals, and project management.
• Serve as the GEC’s program lead for its Transatlantic Energy Security and Climate programming, including the development and execution of an annual program strategy and budget, stewardship/engagement with associated donors, policymakers, and industry leaders, management of relevant GEC staff assigned to the workstream, and develop programming and new initiatives designed to influence policy and impact the public debate on the impact of transatlantic energy security issues.
• Represent the GEC and the Council as a thought-leader in external policy debates through publications, speaking engagements, and other opportunities as is relevant.

Personnel and Financial Management

• Recruit, manage, and develop top talent consisting of resident and nonresident senior fellows, staff, and interns. Integrate relevant board members, members of the Council’s networks, and supporting partners into the Initiative’s programming and leverage expertise of the Council’s other programs and broader network.
• Serve as a reliable and faithful steward of Center funds, working with GEC leadership maintain strong oversight of finances and administrative obligations, including overseeing expenses and revenues for Center workstreams, management of budgets and anticipated fundraising, and ensure program and project solvency.

Development/Fundraising

• Working with the Council leadership and the Office of Engagement, independently build the Program’s financial base by pursuing opportunities with foundations, corporations, individuals, government agencies, and international organizations.

Outreach/Communications

• Organize outreach for Center products, projects, and external deliverables, especially with key government and international actors, as well as media, donors, and others.