The Research Manager leads the International Trade and Finance Section in the development of research and policy analysis relevant to congressional needs. Issues covered by the section include international trade and economic policy issues and institutions, global economic developments, the role of the United States in the global economy, customs and tariffs, trade barriers and practices, export controls, trade agreements and negotiations, and foreign economic relations.
Manages research, leads staff, and advises the Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director. Ensures that research and analysis is conducted in a fully collaborative manner both within and outside the section, reflects the congressional agenda, and is relevant to congressional policy making. Leads, plans, organizes and coordinates research, including major research projects related to sensitive or complex public policies of national or international significance, which are often multidisciplinary in nature, and may include research performed by outside consultants. Ensures that research and analysis undertaken is of the highest quality and meets CRS’s standards of objectivity, responsiveness, nonpartisanship, balance, timeliness, legislative relevance, authoritativeness, and accessibility. Reviews research to ensure that it complements other Service research and analyses; is accurate, well-organized, and cogent; meets professional and service standards; adheres to CRS policy guidelines; and is responsive to the legislative needs of Members and committees of Congress. Establishes and maintains relationships with Members and committees of Congress.
Contributes to and assists in developing CRS-wide strategic goals and priorities. Communicates those goals and priorities to staff. Oversees the implementation of CRS-wide policies, procedures, standards and guidelines by staff. Effectively communicates management initiatives to staff and ensures that staff are able to acclimate to the changing needs of Congress and the CRS research community. Conveys to senior management information and concerns from staff. Performs supervisory functions relative to section staff.
Duties include:
• Ensuring that the work results in objective, authoritative analysis with which the Congress can assess the consequences of legislative/policy options;
• Proactively establishing relationships with committees of jurisdiction, building long-term relationships with clients, and taking initiative to seek out new congressional contacts for CRS;
• Managing congressional requests, concerns, and needs in policy areas within the research management responsibility of the section;
• Collaborating with other managers to ensure an integrative approach to the work by fully identifying significant policy problems facing the Congress, developing analytical approaches to address these problems, and applying appropriate resources;
• Managing and supervising policy analysts, including communicating performance standards and expectations to staff, observing staff performance, giving feedback, and assessing performance; and
• Performing special assignments as directed by the Assistant/Deputy Assistant Director.
Leads staff toward meeting the Library’s and CRS’s vision, mission, and goals by managing performance, communicating effectively, fostering continuous improvement and innovation, building and maintaining relationships, leveraging diversity and inclusiveness, thinking systematically and inspiring change.
Candidates with research and research management experience in issues covered by the International Trade and Finance Section, who have strong interpersonal skills, and are capable of leading a highly motivated and talented research staff committed to providing Congress the highest level of nonpartisan, authoritative, objective policy analysis are encouraged to apply.
CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for more than a century.
CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, timely, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and committees.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that ensures the Service is well-positioned to anticipate and meet the information and analytical research needs of a 21st-century Congress.
