Director of Programs, IRiSS

The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 24 departments and 25 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university's largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.

Stanford Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS)

Expanding access to novel data sources, the development of powerful computing tools, and innovation in quantitative and qualitative research methods are opening a new frontier for social scientists to explore bold, inventive research questions. In this era of burgeoning social-science research, the Stanford Institute for Research in the Social Sciences (IRiSS) facilitates first-rate interdisciplinary collaborations, trains the next generation of scholars, and incubates medium- to long-term research projects to address critical social challenges. IRiSS ensures that world-class, evidence-based research is produced to meet evolving problems in areas of governance and democracy, economic inequality, immigration policy, and other social issues that affect communities across the globe.

POSITION SUMMARY

IRiSS is seeking a Director of Programs to oversee the planning, implementation, management, and evaluation of our existing portfolio of programs, as well as to develop new programs. Current programs include:

• IRiSS Predoctoral Researchers Program
• IRiSS Research Experience Programs: Community College Research Experience Programs (Foothill College, Mission College; online and in-person) and Community College Research Assistant Internship Program (Foothill College, Mission College)
• IRiSS Research Centers and Initiatives: the Center for Affective Science, the Center for American Democracy, and the Center for Global Ethnography, the Stanford Institute for Excellence in Survey Research

The position reports to the IRiSS executive director. A strong on-campus presence is essential to foster community, visibility, and direct engagement with faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, post baccalaureate researchers, and community college students who have been selected as research assistant interns in social science research labs.

This is a 100% FTE, two-year fixed-term, exempt position, based on Stanford's main campus. It will be considered for an option of telecommuting (hybrid of working on-site and off-site), subject to operational need.

If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply. For full consideration, please include a resume and cover letter. Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the School of Humanities and Sciences.

CORE DUTIES

• Develop and manage research programs by conducting research activities, including outreach to varied stakeholders within the program, assigning resources and making program improvement recommendations that impact policies and programs.
• Identify, recommend, and implement opportunities for new research.
• Source, collect and analyze data, create reports, review and explain trends; formulate and evaluate alternative solutions and/or recommendations to achieve the goals of the program or function.
• Write and/or edit complex content for proposals, research grants, peer-reviewed publications, and other program activities.
• Contribute to and inform on strategic program/entity planning and related funding and financial sustainability.
• May advise students and/or coach/mentor clients.
• Develop or contribute to outreach strategy related to program communications, development, partnerships, and fundraising/funding.
• Coach and mentor program staff.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience or combination of education, training, and relevant experience. An advanced degree in the social sciences or a related field is highly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to develop program partnerships and funding sources
• Excellent oral, written, and analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in area of specialization
• Ability to oversee and direct staff and student workers
• Basic knowledge of managing budgets and financial plans

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Experience working with university faculty as well as students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Broad understanding of the social science disciplines represented in the School of Humanities & Sciences, including familiarity with both quantitative and qualitative methods, data security protocols, IRBs, and research administration offices
• Experience managing academic programs or research support services, including evidence-based program evaluation
• Experience organizing and hosting typical academic events like conferences, workshops, panel discussions, etc.
• Proficiency in cloud-based collaboration, especially using Google Workspace products, running hybrid meetings via Zoom, using project management platforms, etc.
• Familiarity with basic communications tools like Drupal or Wordpress-based websites, MailChimp and other kinds of mailing lists, Qualtrics, PowerPoint or Google Slides, Canva or InDesign, major social media platforms, basic audio/video editing
• Readiness to integrate agentic AI (Claude Cowork, Codex, etc.) into existing systems and workflows

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• May work extended hours, evenings or weekends.
• May travel locally.
• Occasional overnight travel.

The expected pay range for this position is $116,966 to $150,114 per annum.