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:
* Conducting and fostering research and analysis;
* Providing strategic education for key audiences;
* Developing and supporting new experts and scholars;
* Disseminating research to policymakers, press, and the public; and
* Engaging with communities, stakeholders, and the public.
Our Current Priorities:
Priority Issues
* Data Collection & Demography: improving data collection on sexual and gender minorities and understanding the demographics of LGBTQ people
* Non-Discrimination Protections: informing efforts to expand protections at the local, state, and federal level, with a particular focus on states that do not have non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity
* Religious Exemptions: evaluating the impact of religions exemptions to non-discrimination and other laws
* Poverty in the LGBTQ community: understanding and addressing poverty in the LGBTQ community
* Criminal Justice Reform: including interactions of LGBTQ people and law enforcement, criminalization of sexuality and people living with HIV, and incarceration and detention
* LGBTQ Health Disparities: including mental and physical health disparities, HIV/AIDS, etc.
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:
* People of Color: addressing disparities facing LGBTQ People of Color
* Transgender People: increasing data about transgender people and analyzing laws, policies and programs that impact them
* Youth: laws, policies, and programs impacting LGBTQ youth, including the institutions they most frequently interact with such as schools, foster care, homeless service providers, and prisons and jails
* Older People: understanding the needs of older LGBTQ people, informed by a better understanding of the entire life course of LGBTQ people
* Families: understanding LGBTQ families and analyzing laws and policies to support a variety of LGBTQ family formations, including foster care, adoption, family planning, and assisted reproductive technologies
* Immigrants: addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ people who are undocumented or recent immigrants to the United States
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:
* South & Midwest: areas of the U.S. that have lagged behind in terms of law, policy, and social acceptance for LGBTQ people
* International: we will continue to expand our international work, taking what we do best domestically, and working with partners to do similar research, education, and training programs around the globe.
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
* Through a collaborative process, articulate a compelling vision for the future growth and development of the Institute
* Help develop and lead the execution of world-class and innovative public policy research, programs, and initiatives that advance the mission of the Williams Institute.
* Stay informed of, and engaged with, LGBTQ law and policy to ensure Williams Institute research remains relevant and timely
* Help balance the Institute's overall research and programs in terms of topical areas and relevance to sub-populations within the LGBTQ community
Leadership & Management
* Lead, coach, and develop the Institute's excellent senior management team
* Create an organizational culture of cooperation, creativity, mutual respect, and professional development
* Actively engage and energize Williams Institute staff, volunteers, and funders
* Working with the Institute's Faculty Chair, develop, maintain, and support strong advisory boards, including the Institute's Founders Council, Faculty Advisory Council, and Legal Council
Programs & Operations
* Ensure ongoing research and programmatic excellence, including overseeing effective systems to track progress
* Ensure consistent quality of finance and administration, fundraising, communications, and systems
* Help create and monitor the Institute's annual operating budget
Fundraising
* Develop and lead fundraising activities to support the Institute's mission, including public and private grants, major donors, events, annual giving, planned giving, endowment campaign, and in-kind support
* Nurture effective relations with existing donors and reach out to potential donors
Communications
* Provide strategic leadership and direction for the dissemination of our work and promotion of the Institute
* Serve as the principal spokesperson for the Williams Institute before a variety of audiences including policymakers, the media, and the public
* Maintain and strengthen the Williams Institute's brand
Collaboration & Engagement
* Lead the Institute in maintaining and building effective partnerships and collaborations
* Engage with stakeholders in government, the private sector, the nonprofit sector, academia, and the media to support and inform the William Institute's research and programs
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
* Experience in navigating organizations through strategic discussions and priority setting
* Specific examples of having developed and operationalized programs and strategies
* Successful experience with budgeting and financial stewardship
* Commitment to quality programs and program evaluation
An orientation towards collaboration and teams
* Ability to build teams in a culture that values independence and initiative
* Proven leadership, coaching, and management experience
* Experience with mentoring and training junior scholars and administrative personnel
* A proven track record of developing successful partnerships among diverse groups
* Past success working with a Board of Directors or similar groups or committees
An expert who is passionate about our mission and work
* A deep knowledge about LGBT law and policy
* Experience informing public policy with research and/or expertise
An accomplished fundraiser
* Experience creating, implementing and leading a range of fundraising strategies, including major donors, grants, events, planned giving and building an endowment
* Have existing relationships with foundations and donors nationally and locally
An impressive spokesperson who has established networks
* A compelling communicator to articulate the Institute's mission to diverse audiences
* Strong marketing and public relations experience
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills
* An excellent reputation with extensive networks among relevant stakeholders
A creative and hard-working entrepreneur with outstanding character
* Entrepreneurial, innovative, and creative
* Adapts easily to changing situations and priorities
* Positive attitude and a sense of humor
* Good judgment and a track record of high integrity
A commitment to diversity
* A commitment to diversity throughout the Williams Institute
* Dedication to work addressing the most vulnerable parts of LGBTQ communities
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.
University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)
Nov 05, 2025