Job Description

Job Location Atlantic Council Headquarters - Washington, DC 20005 Salary Range $140,000.00 - $180,000.00 Salary/year

Please note: This position is contingent on the Council’s receipt of grant funding currently under consideration.

About the Freedom and Prosperity Center

The Freedom and Prosperity Center (F&P) aims to increase the well-being of people everywhere and especially that of the poor and marginalized in developing countries through unbiased, data-based research on the relationship between prosperity and economic, political, and legal freedoms, in support of sound policy choices.

The Center’s goals are both theoretical and practical: It aims to produce cutting-edge research regarding the preconditions for the best socio-economic outcomes for poor and marginalized people across the developing world. It also aims to reach governments and legislatures, civil societies, NGOs, educators and other thought leaders, news outlets and other media, and individuals.

of the Role

The Atlantic Council seeks a Director for the Entrepreneurship Policy Initiative (EPI) within its Freedom and Prosperity Center. EPI is a program designed to monitor and benchmark how governments support entrepreneurs and small businesses, to support the identification of entrepreneur-centric policy reforms in low- and middle-income countries.

The Director will provide strategic leadership for the Initiative, managing a world-class team and global network of partners. The role requires vision and execution capacity to advance two interrelated components: develop the Entrepreneurship Policy Tracker, an index evaluating the regulatory performance of countries utilizing artificial intelligence and large language models, and the Global Coalition for Entrepreneurship Policy, a convening platform connecting policymakers, reformers, and entrepreneurs. In particular, the Director for the Entrepreneurship Policy Initiative will:

• Lead the development of new data collection tools utilizing artificial intelligence and large language models to analyze laws and regulations from countries around the world and in multiple languages.

• Design the methodology and oversee the collection of original data on policies impacting entrepreneurship and small businesses.

• Collaborate with a data firm and work under the supervision of an academic board led by a university partner.

• Organize public and private events to build and maintain relationships with policymakers, entrepreneurs, donors, multilateral organizations, and civil society leaders worldwide.

This is a leadership position suited to a seasoned professional with expertise in international development, economic policy, entrepreneurship ecosystems, or regulatory reform, and with demonstrated experience creating and managing country indexes. This position is based in Washington, DC, with occasional domestic and international travel. The Atlantic Council offers a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience, education, and organizational equity, with an annual salary range of $140,000 to $180,000. Applications submitted by September 5, 2025, will be prioritized for consideration.

Job Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide intellectual and operational leadership for the Entrepreneurship Policy Initiative.

• Oversee development, implementation, and continuous improvement of new data collection tools.

• Shape the vision and outputs of the Global Coalition for Entrepreneurship Policy, including the organization of an annual summit, enrolling and managing fellows, and ensuring diverse regional participation.

Program Management

• Build and supervise a growing team of policy experts, economists, data scientists, and program staff.

• Manage program budgets, grant compliance, and reporting obligations to funders.

• Coordinate with external data partners, academic reviewers, and consortium members.

Research & Thought Leadership

• Guide the development and production of new country indexes.

• Ensure methodological rigor, transparency, and independence in data collection and analysis.

• Represent the Initiative as a thought leader in entrepreneurship policy, publishing articles, commentaries, and op-eds.

Stakeholder Engagement & Convening

• Lead high-level dialogues, roundtables, and international conferences to inform and amplify the findings of the Initiative.

• Serve as the primary spokesperson for the Initiative in media, public forums, and global institutions.

Fundraising & Sustainability

• Cultivate and steward major donors, corporate sponsors, and institutional partners, in collaboration with the Freedom and Prosperity Center and the Atlantic Council’s Development team.

• Design and implement sustainability strategies, including memberships, sponsorships, and fee-for-service offerings.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of professional experience in international development, economic policy, entrepreneurship ecosystems, or regulatory reform.
• Strong understanding of small and medium enterprise dynamics and the role of entrepreneurship in economic growth.
• Demonstrated experience leading large-scale research, data, or policy projects, preferably in a think tank, academia, multilateral, or government setting.
• Proven track record of building partnerships with governments, international organizations, academic institutions, and the private sector.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to represent the Council to senior-level audiences globally.
• Experience in fundraising, donor relations, and program sustainability preferred.
• Advanced degree in economics, law, public policy, international development, or a related field. PhD in economics a plus.

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.