Senior Program Director - Science and Technology Policy and Law

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 Academies of Sciences Engineering Medicine

<br /><br />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.<br /><br />To learn more about our benefits, click&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nationalacademies.org/cdn/materials/a10cac94-4299-477a-ab70-cb11d776d5be" target="_blank" title="2026 Benefits Guide" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a> https://www.nationalacademies.org/

keywords: about cast,about stpl,position overview,position details,responsibilities overview,leadership,program management,program development,staff management,collaboration, communications, and dissemination,financial management,confidentiality,required knowledge & skills,required abilities,education/training,minimum experience,mental and physical capabilities,work environment,compensation,benefits

Full time

$165,500 - $289,630

Overview: Requisition Number: R0002842<br /><br /><strong>Cover Letter: </strong>Required; Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be reviewed.&nbsp;<br /> <br />The Center for Advancing Science and Technology (CAST) fuels innovation across physical sciences, engineering, computing, education, and policy to advance the nation&rsquo;s future prosperity and resilience. Our work prepares and supports the U.S. workforce to strengthen American competitiveness and security. <br /><br /> CAST is comprised of five program areas (nationalacademies.org/cast). The Science and Technology Policy and Law (STPL) program area encompasses activities concerned with the scientific enterprise and the health and vitality of the scientific ecosystem. STPL examines legal and governance frameworks, monitors policy developments, and supports evidence-based decision-making. <br /><br /> The STPL Senior Program Director (SPD) is responsible for the development, implementation, and ongoing management and evaluation of program activities of significant scope, size, and/or complexity with particular focus on emerging issues in physical sciences, engineering, computing, and technologies. Develops the overall budget, including staffing requirements and ensures that each study or activity meets its stated objectives and supports the mission of the organization. Maintains internal and external relations. Oversees the assembling of committees and provides guidance to those committees in the conduct of their work and/or consensus building process. Responds to requests for studies, negotiating scope of work and budget, and independently develops high-impact programs/projects and negotiates funding with sponsors. Is a recognized leader in their field outside of the organization. Contributions often reach outside own board, program, or division (e.g., leading activities such as organization-wide training, consulting with other divisions on projects, and collaborating on division and organization-wide program development outside of their own portfolio. Significantly impacts the advancement of science or policy through the successful conduct of multiple and complex National Academies&rsquo; programs and activities. <br /><br />Responsible for financial management and resource allocation, staff planning and management, and is fully accountable for the performance and results of the department. Has authority to formulate, affect, interpret, or implement management policies or operating practices. Studies and decisions have long-term implications and affect continuing operations. Subordinates may have higher job classifications requiring greater education and experience to master. If no subordinate manager, must have high-level professional staff as direct reports. Incumbent deals with important or controversial issues and effective persuasion, negotiation, and compromise are critical to work. Reports to the CAST Executive Director. Assignments to this job require the approval of the Chief Program Officer.
Responsibilities: <ul> <li><strong>Leadership:</strong> In consultation with executive director, chair, and members, develops and maintains a balanced, high quality, large portfolio of projects/programs with particular focus on emerging issues in physical sciences, engineering, computing, technologies, and the domains in CAST (nationalacademies.org/cast).&nbsp; Establishes a vision and working strategy for studies and activities conducted within the program.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Program Management</strong>: Plans, conducts, and directs work on projects/programs. Oversees the management of projects, assembles or oversees the assembling of board, committees, and/or study panels and provides oversight and guidance to the conduct of their work. Oversees quality assurance efforts.</li> <li><strong>Program Development: </strong>Responsible for program/project development.&nbsp; Maintains current and develops new relationships with prospective sponsors and other external contacts. Responds to requests for studies/projects, negotiating scope of work and budget, and independently develops high-impact programs/projects and negotiates funding with sponsors.&nbsp; Performs fundraising activities.&nbsp; Prepares proposals.&nbsp; Oversees management of contracts.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Staff Management:</strong> Provides leadership and mentors employees. Trains and develops employees to successfully perform current responsibilities and encourages development of staff for future roles. Forms effective teams and cultivates a work environment that fosters teamwork. Interprets and ensures consistent application of organizational policies. Initiates personnel actions, including performance and compensation reviews and if needed, disciplinary actions.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Collaboration, Communications, and Dissemination: </strong>Initiates and responds to opportunities for collaboration across units in division or other divisions in the Academies. Significantly impacts the advancement of science or policy through the successful conduct of multiple and complex National Academies&rsquo; programs and activities. Maintains communication and productive working relationships with program volunteers.&nbsp; Sets agenda and oversees meeting arrangements.&nbsp; Oversees outreach efforts, including dissemination.&nbsp; Conducts speaking engagements, handles press calls, participates in outside committees, and represents program at internal and external meetings.&nbsp; Oversees the report process during writing, reports review, and release, if applicable.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Financial Management:</strong>&nbsp; Oversees financial management.&nbsp; Participates in business planning, conducts status meetings, coordinates logistical issues, and implements planning, scheduling, and procedural changes.&nbsp;</li> <li><strong>Confidentiality:</strong> Maintains an appropriate standard of confidentiality.&nbsp; When handling secure, privileged, sensitive, or confidential information and matters, maintains strict confidence and exercises care to prevent disclosure to others.&nbsp; Accesses confidential information for work-related reasons only, following the policies and procedures of the organization. Ensures that any privileged, sensitive, or confidential information is securely stored, disposed of, and transmitted according to the Institutional guidance.&nbsp; Ensures procedures are in place to maintain and protect confidentiality and to prevent disclosure.&nbsp; Trains and updates staff/team members on these issues periodically.&nbsp; &nbsp;</li> </ul>
Requirements: <p><strong>Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities</strong>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li>Ability to solve intellectual problems that reflect substantial variety and complexity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems and issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to operate with substantial latitude for independent judgment and action.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to negotiate funding.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to train and develop staff.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies&rsquo; departments through effective communication.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with a proven ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> <li>Understanding of the National Academies&rsquo; mission and culture.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p><strong>Minimum Education/Training Requirements:</strong> Doctorate in a related field or equivalent knowledge.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Minimum Experience:</strong> 10 years of related management experience, five of which were in a supervisory capacity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Required Licenses, Certification or Registration:</strong> None&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Cover Letter: </strong>Required; Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be reviewed.&nbsp;</p> <p>Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls</strong>&nbsp;<br />Reports to Executive Director or Executive Officer.&nbsp; Independently establishes goals and objectives.&nbsp; Supervises staff.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Mental and Physical Capabilities</strong>&nbsp;<br />Ability to travel.</p> <p><strong>Work Environment</strong>&nbsp;<br />Hybrid office/telecommute environment; expected onsite percentage 60%. Occasional travel between National Academies&rsquo; facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Compensation &amp; Benefits:</strong> An estimated compensation range for this position is $165,500 - $289,630. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate&rsquo;s relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. For more information, please click <a href="https://www.nationalacademies.org/cdn/materials/a10cac94-4299-477a-ab70-cb11d776d5be" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here.</a></p>