Regional Director – Caribbean (Miami, Usa Or Caribbean Country)

We don’t just talk, we do. Lead the change with us.

At the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, we work with political leaders around the world to drive change. We help governments turn bold ideas into reality so they can deliver for their people. We do it by advising on strategy, policy and delivery, unlocking the power of technology across all three. And by sharing what we learn on the ground, so everyone can benefit. We do it to build more open, inclusive and prosperous countries for people everywhere.

We are a global team of nearly 800 changemakers, operating in more than 30 countries, across five continents. We are political strategists, policy experts, delivery practitioners, technology specialists and more. We speak more than 45 languages. We are working on over 100 projects, tackling some of the world’s biggest challenges. We’re all here at TBI to make a difference.

In a world of ever more complex challenges, we believe diversity of background and perspective is a strength. We pride ourselves on a culture that values and nurtures difference. We are dedicated to unlocking potential, not only for the countries we work in but also for each of our team members. No matter where you’re from or who you are, if you’re passionate about the transformative power of progressive politics, we invite you to build a better future with us.

Please note, it is essential you have an existing right to work in the USA to apply for this role if based in Miami.

We encourage early application as we reserve the right, if required, to close this role ahead of the date advertised.

Job introduction

The Advisory practice within the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) advises reforming political leaders and governments on strategy, policy and delivery and achieve significant and positive impact for citizens around the world.

We are seeking a Regional Director as part of TBI’s growing Americas Advisory practice to lead our client engagement work in the Caribbean region. This role will manage Country Directors, and provide oversight and direction to our country teams and work in the region. The Regional Director will build and maintain deep relationships with political leaders and key stakeholders across the Caribbean, manage and contribute to TBI’s overall global advisory team, and work closely with the Global Managing Director, Advisory.

The person will be based full-time in Miami, USA, or a Caribbean country subject to agreement, where they will lead the establishment of a new regional hub for TBI, with frequent travel to the Caribbean and the wider Americas region.

Please note, you should have an existing right to work in the USA to apply for this role.

Key responsibilities

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The successful candidate will work with the Global Managing Director, Advisory and other senior leaders across TBI to lead and manage a portfolio of country programmes in the Caribbean, ensuring the delivery of high-quality advice and activity in support of partner governments and the leaders we support, and driving and delivering further expansion of our work within the Caribbean.

Develop and own the Caribbean business strategy to drive prioritization of opportunities and investment decisions, inform planning, and align with TBI’s wider global strategy

• Leading partnering, offer-building and fundraising strategies across a wide group of regional stakeholders (donors, other not for profit organizations, multilateral organizations, media, suppliers and agencies)
• Provide analysis to inform internal decisions about organisational capabilities and structures required to continue to build a Caribbean and wider Americas presence
• Engaging across TBI leadership, ensure a Caribbean business development strategy that takes into account the region's cultural, social, and economic nuances is approved by end of 2023 and budgets and plans are set for 2024
• Manage and be accountable for the regional budget, ensuring expenditure is utilised in line with budget, with robust management accounts and accountability established amongst budget delegations
• Ensure all necessary risk, legal and financial processes are in place for the successful delivery of work and safety and security of employees

Lead and manage a portfolio of country programmes, ensuring the delivery of high-quality advice and programmatic results

• Provide strategic advice on how to navigate the complex political landscape of the Caribbean, including to TBI’s Executive Chairman as well as CEO, Board and wider leadership team
• Establish, review and deliver the strategy, objectives and key results for each country programme, with a clear measurement framework
• Ensure our work is strategic, relevant and delivers our value proposition with technical excellence, aligned with our mission to equip leaders to build open and inclusive societies in an interconnected, global world
• Act as a thought partner to teams to help provide innovative solutions to government and leadership problems and frame them in a compelling way;
• Oversee and be accountable for recruitment within the region, supporting Country Directors to hire, manage and develop, critically providing quality control of new hires and mentoring
• Recruit, lead, coach and direct Country/Project Directors, working collaboratively with the New Operations & Performance team, TBI Internal Operations team and global Advisory Division to:

Position TBI to expand in the Caribbean and the wider Americas, increasing its profile and securing new clients, with new teams equipped to deliver the best of TBI

• Establish effective and trusted relationships with senior politicians in government, including Presidents, PMs, Ministers and Special Advisors, securing mandates with multiple key counterparts as a regular point of contact
• Develop and position TBI’s value proposition to increase our footprint, reputation and sustainability in the Americas
• Build and utilize regional level networks, including with relevant multilateral fora, and act as a representative of TBI including public-speaking and media engagements
• Drive and deliver further expansion of TBI’s work across the Caribbean region, building and executing strategic and operational plans to support rapid growth (including partnerships with donors and implementing organizations)

Contribute as a leader in TBI, serving as an active member of the Advisory leadership cohort, building strong, collaborative relationships across TBI and actively championing TBI’s values

• Support regional team members to participate in national and regional forums, where TBI knowledge, expertise and opinion is sought and network connections are made for business development and recruitment
• Shape and embody a positive culture that drives ambition, innovation, learning and performance
• Ensure that all new investment decisions and project start-ups demonstrate best practice in the new country entry process, delivering excellence for the client from the first engagement onwards, and supporting global standardization of business development and operations

Person Specification

The Regional Director will be an experienced and successful leader:

• Who has worked or consulted in developing and emerging economies and is sensitive to a diverse range of cultural and regional norms, and fosters a positive spirit of collaboration
• Who is strategic, entrepreneurial, can challenge the status quo and develop plans for successful delivery of challenging objectives
• With outstanding leadership and management skills and the proven ability to build and inspire teams to achieve exceptional objectives
• With a track record of success in generating new business and developing an organization
• Who is a skilled communicator and influencer, from executive office level through to technical level, is adept at speaking to senior leadership, knows how to navigate ambiguous environments and is comfortable at managing up and beyond hierarchy
• With deep understanding on the workings of politics in the Caribbean and the Americas and demonstrable expertise in economics, public policy, or international relations
• With experience working with government officials, business leaders, and other influential stakeholders applicable to the region
• Substantial and demonstrable professional experience, of which a sizable proportion of tenure has been holding an advisory function to senior government clients and in a leadership position