Executive Director, AI Initiative

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Program Development

• Help establish, guide, and execute the Initiative’s vision, goals, and long-term strategy.
• Oversee development, design, implementation, and evaluation of research initiatives, teaching programs, fellowships, and public engagement activities.
• Devise and implement vision, strategy, goals, and resource development in consultation with the faculty supervisor.
• Identify emerging issues in AI governance and law and help shape and execute the Initiative’s programming accordingly.

Research & Academic Programming

• Support faculty research projects, manage shared resources (including datasets, research staff, and computing infrastructure), and encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Assist with the development and administration of fellowship programs for postdoctoral scholars and research fellows.
• Facilitate curricular innovation by coordinating new course offerings, policy labs, and faculty support in AI-related legal domains.

Partnerships & Outreach

• Represent the Initiative to internal and external stakeholders, including Stanford centers, faculty across the university, and global partners in industry, government, and NGOs.
• Organize conferences, workshops, and public events to convene leaders at the intersection of AI, law, and policy.
• Develop and manage communications, including the Initiative’s website, publications, reports, and policy briefings.

Development & Fundraising

• Work with Stanford Law’s External Relations team to identify and pursue funding opportunities from foundations, government agencies, industry partners, and individual donors.
• Prepare proposals and reports to sustain and grow the Initiative’s impact.

Financial & Staff Management

• Lead the Initiative’s operational and financial planning and oversee budgets to ensure sustainability.
• Develop a staffing strategy for the Initiative. Recruit, mentor, and/or manage Initiative staff, including data scientists, research fellows, program managers, and technical specialists.

Skillset

• Advanced degree or combination of relevant education, training, and/or experience. Typically 5+ years of relevant experience in law, policy, technology, or related fields; JD or equivalent strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise or significant interest in AI, data science, technology policy, or governance.
• Experience managing budgets, financial plans, staff, and complex programs or initiatives, including program partnerships and funding sources.
• Strong record of developing partnerships and securing funding.
• Exceptional oral, written, and analytical skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work collaboratively in an academic setting.