KEI Employment

February, 5th 2026

KEI is seeking a policy expert with established relationships in Washington, D.C. and South Korea, program management skills, and deep knowledge of U.S. economic policy and the Korean Peninsula. Reporting to the President & CEO and working with the broader KEI team, the Director for External Engagement develops and implements program strategies that focus on KEI’s unique positioning for policy impact while establishing and scaling KEI’s institutional partnerships.

In addition to a demonstrated engagement with partners in the United States and South Korea, a successful candidate should possess expertise on economic and foreign policy issues, exceptional communications and interpersonal skills, as well as political judgement, to manage strategic relationships with external stakeholders and partners.

This full-time position involves domestic and international travel. Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. KEI does not sponsor an employment visa.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

External Engagement

• Working closely with the leadership, the economic team, and the communications team, communicate with external stakeholders and advance KEI’s collective work product through op-eds, briefings, and media engagements.
• Represent KEI at discussions and conferences to ensure that KEI’s activities are effectively represented externally.
• Establish and expand working relationships with U.S. and Korean government officials, the Korean business communities in Washington and Seoul, Congress, peers at other Washington-based policy institutes, journalists, and others.
• Perform representational duties for the organization as needed in the absence of and as requested by the President and CEO.

Program Strategy and Management

• Working with senior management and staff, develop programmatic agendas in line with KEI’s mission and priority with a focus on collaborative programs with partner organizations.
• Cultivate and expand the pool of peer policy institutions and experts, executive and legislative branch officials, and journalists in the U.S. and Korea who partner with KEI to increase the impact of KEI’s work and to convene new voices and perspectives.
• Provide guidance to KEI’s economic policy program with the objective of expanding networking capability of the team.
• Design topics for discussion, recruit speakers and participants, and coordinate logistics for collaborative events including conferences, meetings, briefings, and private roundtables.

Research

• Serve as subject matter expert on issues related to U.S.-South Korea relations and the Korean Peninsula with a focus on economic and trade policy.
• Author policy reports, research papers, op-eds, analyses, and presentations on a regular basis.
• Present own research in conferences and seminars and participate in KEI and outside events.
• Assist with publication and communications processes by reviewing and editing written content, including blog posts, newsletters, press releases, and issue briefs on relevant policy matters.
• Perform additional duties as needed.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in related discipline plus equivalent experience; Economics, International Relations, Political Science, Public Policy, or a field related to the candidate’s area of subject matter.
• At least 10 years of policy, academic, or work experience required.
• Strong editorial judgment, writing and editing ability. Attention to detail for fact checking, proofing, and other quality control.
• Demonstrated ability to lead programmatic efforts.
• Experience with U.S. or South Korean government or private sector.
• Proven ability to build and manage relationships with high-profile audiences.
• Working proficiency in Korean required.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Benefits

• Salary range: $90,000-$100,000
• 401(k): 8% of base salary and 100% vested
• Health insurance: KEI pays 100% of the premiums for medical, prescription, dental, and vision
• Life insurance: KEI covers 100% of the premium
• Flexible Spending Account
• 12 paid holidays
• Paid vacation days, sick leave, and personal days
• 12-week paid parental leave
• Up to one remote day per week
• Severance pay
• Commuter benefits: Up to $300 monthly for public transit
• Professional development
• Free access to on-site gym

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and two relevant writing samples to hr@keia.org. We review applications on a rolling basis.

Please note that only qualified candidates will be contacted for further consideration. Thank you for your interest in joining our team as Director for External Engagement.

About KEI

The Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI) is a U.S. policy institute and public outreach organization dedicated to helping Americans understand the breadth and importance of the relationship with the Republic of Korea. Through our publications, programs, and public events, KEI seeks to advance understanding of Korea in ways that will inform policy makers and the American public of the economic and political implications of our connections to the Korean Peninsula. KEI is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.