Director, MENA Futures Lab, Middle East Programs

Job Location: Atlantic Council Headquarters – Washington, DC
Employment Type: Full-Time
Seniority Level: Director
Job Category: Staff

Overview

The Atlantic Council’s work on social, economic and human development issues in the Middle East honors the legacy of Rafik Hariri and his life’s mission to unlock the human and economic potential of the Arab world.

The Atlantic Council seeks an “intellectual entrepreneur” to guide, build, and advance the MENA Futures Lab – the flagship initiative of the Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. Taking advantage of new opportunities emerging in the Levent, the Gulf and elsewhere in the region, the Lab will serve as a collaborative center of excellence focused on empowering entrepreneurs, women, and private sector growth in the Middle East. In particular, the Rafik Hariri Center’s MENA Futures Lab will:

• Seek to build on and accelerate economic opportunities in key geographic hubs, such as the Levant and the GCC, as potential engines for positive transformation
• Support the full economic participation and agency of women in order to achieve long term goals around employment, economic diversification, and prosperity
• Convene stakeholders, policy makers, and thought leaders in both Washington DC and the MENA region at the highest level to increase the visibility of regional innovation and opportunity, advance shared economic goals, and build strong commercial and economic ties between the MENA region and the rest of the world, particularly North America and Europe
• Conduct critical data-focused research into the entrepreneurial ecosystem, trade, economic development, private sector growth, and gender inclusion that provides recent, relevant, accurate insights for policymakers
• Support healthy, vibrant, competitive entrepreneurial ecosystems and startups, with a particular focus on women founders, that can attract regional and international investment
• Facilitate greater regional economic and commercial integration
• Produce high-quality multimedia products that tell effective stories, draw attention to successful founders, and highlight innovation from the region through platforms like the recently launched Innovators Lounge Podcast

The director will ideally have extensive private sector experience in the Middle East, deep intellectual and language credentials, and rich familiarity with the region’s economies, entrepreneurship ecosystems, and culture with a rolodex to match. The director will construct and fundraise for ambitious projects, lead programs, write opinion pieces, conduct and publish research, appear on media outlets, and engage with US, transatlantic, and regional policymakers and stakeholders in order to advance policies that promote prosperity in the Middle East region. The director will have opportunities to pursue their own analytical interests under the guidance of the senior director of the Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East Programs, while cooperating with colleagues within center and other Atlantic Council programs to develop and implement regional and global initiatives.  

The successful candidate will have an expert level understanding of the evolving economic and business-related dynamics and changes within the region, a willingness to take ownership of and promote policy changes publicly, and a desire to help build and scale a fast-growing Atlantic Council initiative. The candidate will develop concepts for, write, and oversee production of major projects, policy documents, and longer reports. They will also moderate private and public events at the Atlantic Council and outside institutions and will be comfortable with public speaking at in-person and virtual events. Demonstrated expertise and work related to the economic development of the region is required. The successful candidate will also have experience managing a team and will play a key role in mentoring junior staff and supporting their growth as budding experts, operations managers, and development professionals. Strong writing and speaking skills in English are essential; fluency in Arabic is preferred.

This position is based in Washington, DC, with occasional travel to the region, and very occasional travel to Europe or elsewhere. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with offers from $140,000 to $180,000. Applications submitted by July 26, 2025, will be prioritized for consideration.

Job responsibilities

The Director will be specifically responsible for:

• Intellectual Leadership: Play a leading role in developing the intellectual framework for advancing the Council’s mission and programming through written work and speaking opportunities within and outside the Council; develop select issues in which the incumbent maintains a profile and is respected in the policy community for thought leadership.
• Programmatic Design and Oversight: Develop programming and new initiatives designed to influence policy on economic development and women’s economic inclusion.
• Business Development: Generate programmatic ideas, independently craft proposals for funding, and generate financial support for new and existing lines of programming.
• Management: Manage and develop a team including non-resident fellows and associate/assistant directors and assist in staff recruitment. Manage relationships with Board members, members of the Council’s networks, and sponsoring entities.
• Outreach/Communications: Represent the Atlantic Council externally with the US Administration, Congress, the diplomatic community and foreign governments, donors, media, etc., as well as at public and private events, international conferences, etc.

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ work experience as senior practitioner in the private or public sector with a track record of publications; Masters, PhD, or JD preferred.
• Demonstrated track record in research and/or program implementation in the Middle East and North Africa region, particularly related to entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment, and/or private sector growth.
• Demonstrated program management and fundraising experience; ability to manage and mentor junior staff members and build their expertise and skills
• Ability to research and publish, occasionally responding to time-sensitive developments under tight deadlines and balancing competing demands.
• Outstanding spoken and written English skills required; fluency in Arabic is highly desired.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; must be able to engage and build relationships with high level US policymakers, foreign government officials, and prestigious members of the Atlantic Council, as well as speak as an expert frequently in media and public forums.

To produce quality work and to successfully achieve our mission, we recognize the need for our staff to maintain a healthy lifestyle and a work/life balance. Our comprehensive benefits package helps to keep costs low for our staff and their families. Benefits include, but are not limited to comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance, paid time off, 403(b) plan, FSA options, pet insurance, Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and wellness benefits.

About the Program

Through our Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East, the Atlantic Council works with allies and partners in Europe and the wider Middle East to protect US interests, build peace and security, and unlock the human potential of the region.

Learn more