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

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... 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... 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.

This is a full-time, year-round, non-tenure track, academic position... 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... (detailed organizational values, core strategies, priorities, focus populations, geographic focus)

Duties & Responsibilities

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... (detailed qualities)

Title

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

Location

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

To apply

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