Lab Director

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The School of Government ( SOG) works to improve the lives of North Carolinians by engaging in practical scholarship that helps public officials and citizens understand and improve state and local government. In 2024, the School offered 285 courses, webinars, and conferences for more than 16,000 public officials. Faculty members annually publish approximately 50 books, reports, articles, bulletins, and other print and online content related to state and local government. The School is also home to a nationally ranked graduate program in public administration and specialized centers focused on environmental finance, public service workforce, and criminal justice policy.

The SOG's Criminal Justice Innovation Lab ('the Lab') seeks to promote a fair and effective criminal justice system, public safety, and economic prosperity through an evidence-based approach to criminal justice policy. The Lab does three types of work:
* Producing legal and empirical research to help unpack the criminal justice system's complexities, organize data, pinpoint opportunities, and summarize end results.
* Convening a broad range of stakeholders to learn about criminal justice problems, supporting their efforts to develop and pilot innovative consensus solutions, and conducting empirical evaluations to help stakeholders measure the impact of their efforts.
* Developing legal and evidence-based tools that stakeholders can use 'as is' or tailor to local needs and resources.
By supporting stakeholders' efforts to improve the state's criminal justice system, the Lab's work tightly aligns with the SOG's mission to enhance the quality of life for all North Carolinians. The Lab firmly adheres to core SOG values that for more than 90 years have built a legacy of trust with public officials: nonpartisan; policy-neutral; and responsive. Additionally, the Lab has six organizational values that guide our work: collaboration, fairness, openness, transparency, integrity, and proficiency. To learn more about the Lab, visit our website at https://cjil.sog.unc.edu.

This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement that may include a partially remote work location, consistent with System Office policy. UNC Chapel Hill employees are generally required to reside within a reasonable commuting distance of their assigned duty station. Lab team members currently have a hybrid work schedule

The Lab Director will lead a small, multi-disciplinary team of full- and part-time staff, students, and affiliated researchers focused on producing high-quality research to inform policy, practice, and public understanding. The Director will work closely with staff, the Lab Advisory Board, the SOG Dean, and key faculty members to set the strategic direction of the Lab. The Director will be responsible for managing operations and supporting the successful execution of projects. The Director will also contribute to the substantive work of the Lab through research, writing, and other project-based work. The Director will foster a collaborative environment, encouraging contributions from all team members.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership
- In collaboration with Lab staff, SOG leadership and key faculty, and other stakeholders, oversee the development of the Lab's strategic plan and set clear organizational goals to achieve that plan.
- Build and foster relationships with stakeholders, identifying stakeholder priorities and opportunities for new projects and collaborations.
- Build and maintain relationships with experts at academic and nonprofit institutions and promote and facilitate opportunities for collaborations.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with the Lab's Advisory Board members, lead board meetings, and identify and recruit new board members, as needed.
- Support the Lab's Assistant Director in the creation and distribution of communication materials for external audiences.

Fundraising & Financial Management
- With support from the SOG's faculty and the Associate Dean for Advancement, lead efforts to secure Lab funding through grants, contracts, gifts, and other financial support mechanisms.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with existing and new funders, identifying new opportunities and overseeing and supporting grant application processes.
- Oversee the Lab's Assistant Director in budgeting, accounting, and financial management procedures, ensuring adherence to UNC financial policies and requirements.

Project Oversight
- Provide executive-level leadership for the development and execution of projects, ensuring they align with SOG and Lab values, Institutional Review Board requirements, and quality standards.
- Provide guidance and support to project teams to ensure successful execution and delivery.

Supervision
- Hire and supervise essential Lab staff and contract employees, in consultation with key faculty and the Senior Associate Dean for Administration.
- Foster a positive Lab culture and work environment, ensure adequate team capacity, and promote professional development opportunities for all team members.

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent); for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity or comparable background in independent academic or instructional activities, will accept a relevant Bachelor's degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution. This experience may be related to the direction/oversight of programs that focus the academic and research resources of a higher education institution towards community or regional issues.

- Significant experience in criminal justice or closely related field.
- Experience in fundraising and financial management.
- Experience managing and mentoring teams, with a commitment to promoting collaboration and inclusive decision-making.
- Experience in building partnerships, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement.:
- Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
- Proven ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
- Capacity to understand and interpret empirical research.
- Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
- Experience working in higher education.
- Commitment to the values of nonpartisanship, nonadvocacy, and responsiveness.
- Ability to navigate complex political and policy environments with diplomacy and tact.
- Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

J.D. or Master's degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Public Policy, Public Administration, or a related field. Experience in a research environments is preferred.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran.