Executive Director - Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine value diversity in our members, volunteers, and staff and strive for a culture of inclusion in our workplace and activities. Convening a diverse community to exchange ideas and perspectives enhances the quality of our work and increases our relevance as advisers to the nation about the most complex issues facing the nation and the world.

Keck Center

National Academy of Sciences Engineering Medicine

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provide independent, objective advice to inform policy with evidence, spark progress and innovation, and confront challenging issues for the benefit of society. We marshal knowledge and expertise across disciplines to study complex and sometimes contentious issues, reach consensus based on the evidence, and identify the best path forward. https://www.nationalacademies.org/

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Full time

Overview: REQ: R0001257<br /><br />The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (National Academies) are seeking an Executive Director (ED) for the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) of the National Research Council (NRC). This is a rare and exciting opportunity for an individual to lead a preeminent and nationally significant program under the National Academies&rsquo; mission to provide independent and authoritative advice to the nation on critical issues involving science, technology, engineering, and health. The DBASSE ED will play a vital role in providing advice and counsel to the leadership of the National Academies, defining and implementing the division&rsquo;s strategic directions, providing high-level leadership and management of its programs, and promoting communications between the science and technology community, the federal government, critical stakeholders, and the interested public.<br /> <p dir="LTR">The mission of the Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education (DBASSE) is to advance the behavioral and social sciences and education and their application to improve policy and <span class="WLL2">practice.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span> DBASSE provides independent and authoritative science and related policy advice to facilitate solutions to complex policy issues informed by behavioral and social science at the request of federal agencies, Congress, state and local decision-makers, private foundations and nonprofit organizations.&nbsp; Two-thirds of the DBASSE portfolio is supported by federal agencies, with private foundations accounting for the bulk of the remaining third.&nbsp; DBASSE strives to advance science broadly, identifying research needs as well as improvements in data and research method and its activities cover a broad and rich span of topics.</p> <p dir="LTR">The new ED will shape and guide a modern vision that maximizes DBASSE&rsquo;s impact in society.&nbsp; Many of the most pressing issues facing the world touch on behavioral and social science expertise, and the ED will ensure that the National Academies remain the authoritative voice and resource nationally for objective advice and excellence across a growing portfolio of projects. In concert with the DBASSE Advisory Committee and the National Academies&rsquo; executive leadership, the next ED will evaluate emerging trends and identify new opportunities to serve the scientific and policy community. Key outcomes will include expanding the base of sponsors, growing funding and support for programs, enabling the division&rsquo;s projects to maximize their potential for impact, and fostering innovation to meet changing sponsor needs.</p>
Responsibilities: <p dir="LTR"><strong>Leadership Characteristics:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p dir="LTR">Proven business acumen, a results-oriented approach, and a track record of delivering results.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">A thorough understanding of and experience leading strategic planning.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">Ability to communicate a compelling vision for an organization and embrace and implement change.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">Ability to attract and retain a diverse, highly accomplished staff and volunteer network by working collaboratively, inspiring and motivating colleagues, and building trust within the organization.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">Unflappable executive presence conducive for a strong representational role with the media, other science organizations, government officials, funders, and leaders from private industry.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">A highly creative approach to strategic innovation and intellectual curiosity to stay abreast of emerging trends and future opportunities.&nbsp;</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">A keen understanding of how to engage in partnerships with government agencies, foundations, industry, and academia, and experience building collaborative enterprises with those stakeholders.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">Experience enhancing professional development for individuals and creating high-performing teams by communicating guiding goals, giving useful feedback, delegating appropriately, and promoting transparency.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">A thoughtful approach to navigating and proble</p> </li> </ul> <div id="gtx-trans" style="position: absolute; left: -52px; top: 26px;">&nbsp;</div>
Requirements: <p dir="LTR"><strong>Professional Qualifications and Personal Characteristics</strong></p> <p dir="LTR">The next ED of DBASSE will be a distinguished leader with at least 15 years of management experience within a complex research or technical institution, corporation, government organization, foundation, nongovernmental organization, or university. The successful candidate will possess a Master&rsquo;s degree, PhD preferred, in a discipline relevant to the DBASSE mission. An understanding of the mechanisms by which nonprofit organizations contract with the federal government is highly desirable.&nbsp; While no candidate will embody every quality, the ideal candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications, skills, and experiences:</p> <p dir="DEFAULT">&nbsp;</p> <p dir="LTR"><strong>Professional Experience:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <p dir="LTR">Demonstrated track record of program development and management in two or more of the following areas: national statistics, science education, education research, criminal justice, the human dimensions of environmental change, human systems integration, population science/demography, behavioral science, child development and well-being.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">Developing enduring and successful programs in a soft money organizational context.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">Partnering with academic and research organizations, in the non-profit, government, and/or industry sectors, particularly interdisciplinary partnerships</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">Working with several of the following government agencies: National Science Foundation, Commerce Department, Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) components including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC ), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Department of Veterans Affairs, , Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Environmental Protection Agency</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">Working with the private philanthropic community.</p> </li> <li> <p dir="LTR">Working with other stakeholders, such as state and local decision-makers, the non-profit social science research community, social and behavioral science professional associations, and industry social science staff.&nbsp;</p> </li> </ul> <div id="gtx-trans" style="position: absolute; left: -26px; top: 26px;">&nbsp;</div>