Executive Director, Neukom Center for the Rule of Law, Stanford Law School

🔍 School of Law, Stanford, California, United States

📁: Academic

📅   : Apr 07, 2025 Post Date

📅   : 106214 Requisition #

NOTE: This position has been deemed critical/has specific funding, has been approved by the Law School for posting, and is exempt from the hiring freeze.

About the Center:

Building on Stanford Law School’s long history as a leading voice on the rule of law, the Sally B. and William H. Neukom Center for the Rule of Law works on numerous fronts to research key questions related to accountability, just laws, open government, and accessible justice around the world.

Established in 2022, the Neukom Center opens its doors at a critical time, when numerous studies, including from The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, reveal a decline in the rule of law around the world. The interdisciplinary Center is a home for research, teaching, collaboration, public discourse, and policy labs, all of which share a common goal: to produce trailblazing research on countering global trends toward autocracy and on how to strengthen accessible, impartial justice and open government.

The Center’s focus on interdisciplinary projects elevates rule of law issues across Stanford University, including through the University’s Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, as well as academic institutions globally. In particular, the Center collaborates closely with other programs established by the Neukom family, including the World Justice Project and the Wright Center for the Study of Computation and Just Communities at Dartmouth.

With the goal of inspiring a new generation of scholars to strengthen the rule of law within the United States and globally, the Center embraces a multidisciplinary approach to confronting complex, global challenges. While housed at the Law School, the Center looks outward toward a broad range of disciplines. The fundamental goal is collaboration with like-minded initiatives to leverage diverse voices and uncover the most innovative paths forward.

Job Description:

The Executive Director serves as the chief administrative/operational officer of the Center, reporting directly to Faculty Director Diego Zambrano and working closely with the broader Stanford community. This full-time, residential position entails:

Leading and overseeing the development, implementation, administration, and evaluation of research initiatives and programming. This includes working with the Faculty Director and other affiliates to develop and pursue the Neukom Center’s strategic direction and goals. This may include identifying topics for research and courses, engaging in research projects, and participating in special programs.
Lead strategic planning for the Center, while supporting Faculty Director vision.
Develop outreach strategy related to Center communications, development, partnerships and fundraising. Identify external funding opportunities and write proposals and/or research grants.
Develop and manage the Center’s financial planning, including budget forecasting and resource allocation. This includes identifying external funding opportunities in consultation with our External Relations team and writing proposals and research grants.
Creating outreach strategies related to program communications, development, partnerships and fundraising/funding.
Representing the Center to external stakeholders, managing external relations, and enhancing the Center’s visibility. Provide expert consultation related to program development, funding opportunities, or other specialty area.
Engaging in legal scholarship and participating fully in the academic life at Stanford Law School.
Mentoring students and fellows and potentially co-teaching courses and policy labs.
Work cooperatively with other law school Centers and Programs to advance the educational and research mission of the law school and Stanford University.

Minimum Education and Experience Required:

JD or doctoral level degree (PhD/J.S.D.) in a relevant area, and five years of relevant experience or combination of relevant education, training, and/or experience
Experience managing a budget and developing financial plans
Experience developing program partnerships and funding sources.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources.
Advanced oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in area of specialization.
Ability to oversee and direct staff
Ability to manage budgets and develop financial plans.

Additional Preferred Experience:

Applications by former prosecutors or government lawyers are especially encouraged.
Demonstrated aptitude for original research, typically shown through past publications or academic contributions.
Excellent interpersonal, managerial, and communication skills.

Work Standards:

Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu/.

How to Apply: Interested candidates must submit their resume, a cover letter, and contact information for at least three references via the Stanford Jobs website (https://careersearch.stanford.edu/ search for job number: [106214]) detailing their interest in this role and their qualifications. The cover letter should specifically address your interest in the rule of law, contributions to the field, and high-level managerial experience. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

The expected pay range for this position is $140,184 to $175,260 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Stanford Law School seeks to hire the best talent and to promote a safe and secure environment for all members of the university community and its property. To that end, new staff hires must successfully pass a background check prior to starting work at Stanford University.

Additional Information