The goal of the Cordell Institute for Policy in Medicine & Law (the Institute) is to devise solutions to the novel ethical and legal questions accompanying scientific and technological advancements in healthcare, particularly as they relate to privacy and health data in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). The Institute is a first-of-its-kind collaboration established by the WashU Schools of Law and Medicine that brings together medical and health experts with legal and policy experts to drive policies that reveal how human information can be used appropriately and effectively to build confidence and trust.

The inaugural Executive Director reports to the Dean of the Law School and works closely with the faculty Co-Directors to develop and drive our vision and mission. This is an exceptional opportunity for an entrepreneurial leader and strategic business developer who enjoys strategic communications and building external collaborations to grow organizational impact and reputation. The Executive Director oversees administrative functions of the Institute, including strategic planning, communications/marketing, event and program management, budgeting, and team management.

The Institute engages in impactful regional, national, and international activities, including research, events and conferences, presentations and publications, fundraising, student programs, and other initiatives. This position offers a hybrid work schedule; we are open to negotiating a mutually beneficial arrangement regarding the amount of time spent in St. Louis. A faculty appointment/teaching opportunity is available for qualified candidates.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Institute Leadership

Lead the Institute in achieving its strategic goals. This includes identifying potential partnerships, industry groups, peer academic institutions, and other key constituencies across an array of health-related enterprises and technologies. Working with the Co-Directors, the Institute Advisory Board, and key stakeholders, create a comprehensive strategic plan and timeline for the Institute, including initiatives such as satellite symposia, professional workshops, academic and lay publication opportunities, potential alternative funding sources, and marketing plans. Conduct annual review and propose modifications to the strategic plan to reflect changes and new opportunities, and ensure timely communications with Institute founders, key stakeholders, and other WashU leadership as appropriate.

Strategic Communications and Public Relations

Coordinate, plan, and execute Institute communications with internal and external audiences, including the media and key stakeholders. Responsible for creating and maintaining a public relations and media plan for the Institute. Identify opportunities to brand the academic and public activities of the Co-Directors and staff, including talks and conferences.

Serve as the representative of the Institute to academic and other non-profit centers, foundations and institutions, corporations, government/regulatory agencies, and WashU faculty and staff. Serves as the primary liaison to the Institute Co-Directors and the Dean.

Lead the Institute website's strategy, content, and management, including reviewing/approving content from fellows and other contributors. Ensure accurate reporting of Institute events and news. Oversee the production of key deliverables, including project proposals, the Institute's annual report, progress reports, white papers, and other scholarly documents prepared by fellows, faculty, and collaborators.

General Administration

Oversee the administration of staff, projects, and functions, ensuring responsiveness to policies and matrixed relationships across departmental and institutional lines within and outside WashU. Delegate responsibilities to the staff. Oversight of regulatory and other policies, including relevant lobbying laws, fiscal management, human resources, information systems, data-sharing, intellectual property issues, and appropriate funding source rules and guidelines.

Events and Education Programs

Direct the staff responsible for event management and administration of educational programs, including the Cordell Fellowship Program, ensuring the quality and impact of all programming.

Budget and Fiscal Oversight

Development of the Institute’s annual budget, including project/program budgets, communications and events budget, in collaboration with the Danforth campus and Law School finance leaders. Prepare quarterly business reports for the Dean, Co-Directors, and key stakeholders to ensure fiscal accountability and transparency.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field and at least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in academia, government, nonprofit, or industry.
• Knowledge of health law, health data, AI, data privacy, and/or security and related policies.

Preferred Qualifications

• JD or PhD in a field related to the institute’s areas of interest.
• Program/Center management experience in an academic/nonprofit/government setting.
• Facility with technical topics and issues. Able to incorporate knowledge from diverse areas.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, identifies opportunities for collaboration and visibility.

Critical Skills and Expertise

• Substantive leadership experience in a complex environment.
• Proficiency in strategic communications/marketing and business development.
• External relationship-building across the healthcare ecosystem.
• Adept at working with senior executives in higher education, government, or industry.
• Ability to forge partnerships/collaborations with academic, non-profit, and industry groups in related fields.
• Experience developing and managing a budget.
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
• Experience working with regulators or regulatory agencies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills.
• Strategic and critical thinking skills.

Please submit your CV/resume with a letter of interest to our Career Center

For information about WashU Law and WashU Medicine

EEO

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or genetic information