The client is seeking an Executive Director to lead a major women’s and gender-focused research and action institute embedded within a higher education setting. The role will provide strategic leadership, invest in and grow a dedicated community of researchers, and actively pursue research opportunities with current faculty while partnering with faculty, researchers, and staff to advance the institute’s mission to shape a better world for women across the lifespan through high-quality research, theory, and action.
The Executive Director will oversee and coordinate the institute’s research, operations, and outreach strategies to sustain and amplify its impact and visibility, aligning with the broader institution’s mission. The institute conducts interdisciplinary work on a range of social issues, including education and out-of-school time, child care, mental health and depression prevention, youth and adolescent development and social media, gender-based violence, and economic security and gender equity topics. The role includes leadership of a team comprising an associate director, research scientists and project directors, research staff, and administrative staff, supported by a Council of Advisors.
The client seeks a creative, consultative leader who will serve as an intellectual steward and uphold high standards of integrity, independence, and scholarly rigor. The Executive Director will be expected to represent the institute externally, communicate the practical applications and outcomes of its research, expand its resources, and enrich its scholarly community, while also functioning as an effective liaison with partners across related centers and academic departments. Preferred qualifications include a PhD or other relevant terminal degree with a significant record of scholarship and publications related to women and gender, along with substantial administrative experience and a demonstrated commitment to inclusivity, respect, and collaboration.