Executive Director of The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy at UCLA School of Law

Position overview

Position title :

Executive Director of The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law & Public Policy

Salary range :

See UC Salary Table 34 at https : / / www.ucop.edu / academic-personnel-programs / _files / 2025-26 / policy-covered-july-2025-scales / t34.pdf for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $260,000 to $290,000

Application Window

Open date : November 4, 2025

Next review date : Friday, Jan 2, 2026 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date : Friday, Jan 2, 2026 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date.

Position description

The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy at UCLA School of Law is seeking an Executive Director to provide vision and creativity to build its future; to lead a team of talented and experienced researchers and staff; to engage a committed group of volunteers, donors, and advisory councils; to represent the Institute to the public, press, and policymakers; and to oversee its core programs, fundraising, and operations.

About the Williams Institute

The Williams Institute is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. A research center at UCLA Law founded in 2001, the Williams Institute produces high-quality research with real-world relevance and disseminates it to judges, legislators, policymakers, media and the public. Experts at the Williams Institute have authored dozens of public policy studies and journal articles, filed amicus briefs in key court cases, provided expert testimony at legislative hearings, been widely cited in the national media, and trained thousands of lawyers, judges and members of the public. Today, the Williams Institute has more than 24 staff and scholars, a budget of over $4 million, and an endowment of over $29 million. For more information about the Williams Institute, please visit http : / / williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu /

About the Executive Director

The Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibilities for the Institute's staff, research, fundraising, budget, programs, and mission. The Executive Director will develop and implement a strategic vision that aligns with the Institute's mission and goals; guide and support staff and visiting scholars; oversee and produce high-quality research that informs public policy and advocacy efforts; cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, and other stakeholders to achieve fundraising goals; oversee the Institute's budget and financial management; and engage with policymakers, the media, and the public to disseminate the Institute's work. In addition to successful experience as a manager and innovative leader, the Executive Director must have the capacity to collaborate and engage with the broad spectrum of the Institute's partners and audiences, and the substantive expertise and communication skills to serve as an effective representative of the organization, as well as the ability to work effectively within and create synergies with other parts of UCLA Law School. The Executive Director must have passion for the mission of the Williams Institute, appreciation for its institutional voice and values, highly developed research and writing skills, and deep knowledge of policy issues facing LGBTQ communities. The Executive Director will report to the Williams Institute Faculty Chair and the Dean of UCLA School of Law. In addition, the position will work closely with the Institute's Founders Council, which provides strategic leadership and development support for the Williams Institute, and the Institute's other advisory councils. Depending on interest, qualifications, experience, and balanced by other program priorities, the Executive Director may teach a course focused on sexual orientation, gender identity, and the law at UCLA Law to be developed and determined in consultation with the Faculty Director of the Williams Institute and the Vice Dean for Curricular and Academic Affairs. The Executive Director must live and work full-time in Los Angeles. The position travels extensively, including internationally.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must have either a J.D. or a social science Ph.D., or an M.D. The ideal candidate will have at least 7+ years of successful senior management and leadership experience, a track record of innovation and program building, and knowledge of current LGBTQ law and policy issues. We are also looking for candidates with demonstrated administrative and organizational skills, and success in fundraising and managing a budget. Successful candidates will be creative, motivated, committed to diversity, have an entrepreneurial spirit, and be passionate about the Williams Institute's mission. The individual will have an established track record for organizing and leading a strong team; be able to generate investment and enthusiasm; have strong interpersonal skills; and have a demonstrated ability to create and maintain productive relationships with colleagues, constituents, donors, and advisory board members. Extremely strong verbal and written communications skills are essential, and the successful candidate will be able to represent the Williams Institute to the press, policymakers, and the public. Applicants whose work focuses on people of color, transgender people, women, people with disabilities, children and youth, and / or people of low socio-economic status are encouraged to apply. The University of California seeks candidates committed to the highest standards of scholarship and professional activities and to a campus climate that supports equality and diversity.

This is a full-time, year-round, non-tenure track, academic position. This appointment is subject to the rules and regulations of the Regents of the University of California which are mostly embodied in The UCLA CALL and the University of California Academic Personnel Manual. (See https : / / apo.ucla.edu / policies-forms / the-call ; and https : / / www.ucop.edu / academic-personnel-programs / academic-personnel-policy / index.html .) As a normal requirement, the appointee should have the terminal or top degree in the appointee's field, e.g., J.D., Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., or the highest degree that is commonly expected for appointment in the activity.

See UC Salary Table 34 at https : / / www.ucop.edu / academic-personnel-programs / _files / 2025-26 / policy-covered-july-2025-scales / t34.pdf for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $260,000 to $290,000. The salary and level of appointment will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position includes research and travel support.

Position Specification

The Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy at UCLA School of Law is seeking an Executive Director to provide vision and creativity to build its future; to lead a team of talented and experienced researchers and staff; to engage a committed group of volunteers, donors, and advisory councils; to represent the Institute to the public, press, and policymakers; and to oversee its core programs, fundraising, and operations.

The Williams Institute

The Williams Institute is dedicated to conducting rigorous, independent research on sexual orientation and gender identity law and public policy. A think tank at UCLA Law founded in 2001, the Williams Institute produces high-quality research with real-world relevance and disseminates it to judges, legislators, policymakers, media and the public. Experts at the Williams Institute have authored dozens of public policy studies and journal articles, filed amicus briefs in key court cases, provided expert testimony at legislative hearings, been widely cited in the national media, and trained thousands of lawyers, judges and members of the public. Today, the Williams Institute has over 24 staff and scholars, a budget of over $4 million, and an endowment of over $29 million. For more information about the Williams Institute, please visit http : / / williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu / .

UCLA School of Law

The Williams Institute is a department of UCLA School of Law, the youngest top-ranked law school in the United States. UCLA Law has established a number of think tanks, including the Williams Institute, that have consistently promoted the highest standards of intellectual discourse. These centers focus on many areas that intersect with and enhance the work of the Williams Institute, including public interest law, reproductive justice, criminal justice, critical race studies, tribal law, and environmental law. Through research and published articles, UCLA Law's centers offer invaluable information for legislators, the judiciary, and the public while providing critical training for UCLA students and the broader community.

The Williams Institute also benefits from being part of UCLA, which has a vibrant intellectual community focused on LGBTQ-related scholarship. This includes the LGBTQ Studies minor, Gender Studies, the Center for the Study of Women, and the LGBTQ Campus Resource Center. With an undergraduate and graduate population of about 41,000 and a faculty of more than 4,800, UCLA consists of one college and a dozen professional schools that offer 125 undergraduate and 200 graduate programs.

The Williams Institute's Organizational Values :

• Impact - We are committed to research that has real-world law and policy impact and application.
• Innovation - We foster new areas of inquiry and anticipate the future of research and legal reform for the LGBTQ community.
• Rigor -We conduct original, empirical research that meets the highest standards of excellence, and base our findings on expertise and documentable evidence.
• Independence - We are committed to independent inquiry and integrity.
• Engagement - We engage with the LGBTQ, research, and legal communities to address current and relevant issues.

Our Core Strategies :

Our Current Priorities :

Priority Issues

Focus Populations

In all of its work, the Williams Institute distinctly considers lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and other sexual and gender minorities. In addition, we consider LGBTQ people's intersectional identities - including race, ethnicity, immigration status, gender, class, religion, age and disability. We are currently prioritizing research on the following populations :

Geographic Focus

While our work will continue to be predominately focused on local, state and federal policy in the U.S., we're building our research portfolio in the following areas :

POSITION

Working with the Institute's Faculty Chair, Founders Council, and other Advisory Committees, the Executive Director will have overall strategic and operational responsibilities for the Institute's staff, research, programs, fundraising, budget, and mission. The Executive Director will help to map out the overall goals of the Institute and be responsible for their day-to-day implementation. The Executive Director will also help expand a sustainable fundraising framework for the Institute. In addition to successful experience as a manager and innovative leader, the Executive Director must have the capacity to collaborate and engage with the broad spectrum of the Institute's partners and audiences, and the substantive expertise and communication skills to serve as an effective representative of the organization. A passion for the mission of the Williams Institute, appreciation for its institutional voice and values, and a commitment to a programmatic portfolio that embraces the full diversity of LGBTQ communities are essential.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

This position carries the following duties and responsibilities. However, other duties and responsibilities may be assigned or duties may be removed to respond to Institute and Law School needs.

Key responsibilities will include :

Vision & Strategy

Leadership & Management

Programs & Operations

Fundraising

Communications

Collaboration & Engagement

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The ideal candidate will have at least 7+ years of successful senior management and leadership experience, a track record of innovation and program building, and deep knowledge of LGBTQ law and policy issues. We are also looking for candidates with demonstrated administrative and organizational skills, and success in fundraising and managing a budget.

A J.D., Ph.D., or M.D. is required; significant law and policy related experience is required. Successful candidates will be creative, motivated, committed to diversity, have an entrepreneurial spirit, and be passionate about the Williams Institute's mission. The individual will have an established track record for organizing and leading a strong team; be able to generate investment and enthusiasm; have strong interpersonal skills; and have a demonstrated ability to create and maintain productive relationships with colleagues, constituents, donors, and advisory board members. The ideal candidate has strong verbal and written communications skills and will be able to represent the Williams Institute to the press, policymakers, and the public. Applicants whose work focuses on people of color, transgender people, women, people with disabilities, children and youth, and / or people of low socio-economic status are encouraged to apply.

More specifically we are looking for :

An experienced and motivated organizational leader

An orientation towards collaboration and teams

An expert who is passionate about our mission and work

An accomplished fundraiser

An impressive spokesperson who has established networks

A creative and hard-working entrepreneur with outstanding character

A commitment to diversity

TITLE

Executive Director and Roberta A. Conroy Scholar of Law and Policy

ROLE

The Executive Director will report to the Williams Institute Faculty Chair and the Dean of UCLA School of Law. In addition, the position will work closely with the Institute's Founders Council, which provides strategic leadership and development support for the Williams Institute, and the Institute's other advisory councils.

LOCATION

The Executive Director must live and work full-time in Los Angeles. The position travels extensively, including internationally.

Program : https : / / williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu /

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

A J.D., or a social science Ph.D., or an M.D.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

Cover Letter - A cover letter discussing your interest, qualifications and / or experience

Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated resume or C.V.

List of References - The names and addresses for at least five professional references

UCLA Mission Statement - As the nation's premier public research university, UC's mission is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. We have a particular responsibility to the people of California which we express in the excellence of the education we provide, the impact of the research we do, the comprehensive, life-saving medical services we provide, and the public service mission we are devoted to. The University of California promotes the social mobility of its students, equips them with the tools and experience that furthers their ambitions, and regards their accomplishments across the life span as evidence of the profoundly positive impact of higher education.

The UCLA campus has expressed these goals in its strategic plan as follows :

Deepen our engagement with Los Angeles

Expand our reach as a global university

Enhance our research and creative activities

Elevate how we teach

Become a more effective institution

Prompt for candidates for recruitment :

Reflecting on your personal and professional experiences, highlight your past contributions and future commitments to advancing UCLA's mission as embodied in the 2023-28 strategic plan. These accomplishments and ambitions may be discussed in the context of describing your teaching, scholarship, and service

Reference requirements

The names and addresses for at least five professional references

Apply link :

https : / / recruit.apo.ucla.edu / JPF10692

Help contact : douvan@law.ucla.edu

About UCLA

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and / or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties

Job location

Los Angeles, CA