Assistant Director/Policy Fellow

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Hoover Institution at Stanford University is seeking a highly motivated Assistant Director/Policy Fellow to join our team as the head program director of the Technology Policy Accelerator. The Accelerator is a new initiative focused on the front lines of discovery in science and technology and implications for domestic and international policy.

To ensure your application information is captured in our official files for immediate access to your resume, you must apply to http://stanfordcareers.stanford.edu.

A cover letter and resume are required for full consideration. 

• WORKING TITLE:     Assistant Director/Policy Fellow
• JOB TITLE:               Academic Operations Manager 3
• JOB CODE:              4133
• GRADE:                    M
• EXEMPTION:            Exempt
• SALARY RANGE:     $189,000-$241,000
• TERM:                       Continuing term
• END OF POSTING:   Until Filled

About Stanford University’s Hoover Institution:  The Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace is a non-partisan public policy research center devoted to the advanced study of economics, politics, history, and political economy—both domestic and foreign—as well as international affairs. 

Founded in 1919 by Herbert Hoover before he became the thirty-first president of the United States, the Institution began as a repository of historical material gathered at the end of World War I.  The library and archives have grown to be among the largest private repositories of documents on twentieth-century political and economic history.  Over time the Institution expanded its mission from collecting archival material to conducting advanced research on contemporary history and economics and applying this scholarship to current public policy challenges. 

With its eminent scholars and world-renowned library and archives, the Hoover Institution seeks to improve the human condition by advancing ideas that promote economic opportunity and prosperity while securing and safeguarding peace for America and all humanity.

JOB PURPOSE: 

The Hoover Institution’s Technology Policy Accelerator brings together Stanford scientists and engineers on the front lines of discovery with Hoover social scientists and policy experts at the forefront of domestic policy and international relations. The Accelerator will scale the work of the Stanford Emerging Technology Review (SETR), a collaboration between Stanford’s School of Engineering and Hoover that launched in 2023. SETR now involves 100 Stanford faculty and postdoctoral scholars across 30 departments and nearly a dozen independent research institutes on campus. SETR’s flagship report provided the first-of-its-kind primer about the basics, key recent developments, and over-the-horizon issues in ten critical emerging technologies, from AI to space. Findings were briefed to senior leaders across the U.S. government and industry. In its first year, SETR also catalyzed new research collaborations between technological fields at Stanford. Looking ahead, the Accelerator is envisioned to:

• Foster new frontier research within and across fields
• Develop educational resources for policymakers (e.g., policy reports, podcasts, briefings) that translate technological discoveries and their implications faster, more continuously and more easily
• Convene leaders in the private, public, and academic sectors to drive change
• Invent novel ways to use new technologies to address national and international security challenges
• Inspire and train the next generation of science and engineering leaders to work at the intersection of technology and policy 

A skilled Assistant Director has the opportunity to advance collaboration between Stanford University and Hoover Institution scholars and to build out a program with singular impact in this field. The Assistant Director will work with senior fellows at Hoover to lead program-related projects and staff, while also managing all aspects of long-range planning, program development, implementation, policy communications and cross-University and external partnership development. The role will also involve building and managing a team to execute a fast-growing program at a high level.

CORE DUTIES: 

• Direct staff and provide leadership to achieve goals and vision for SETR. Responsible for hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, personal development for direct reports and accountable for the performance of employees.
• May independently or in collaboration with human resources managers, direct managers in the interpretation and implementation of human resources policies, procedures and programs.
• Work closely with the Hoover Senior Fellow directing the Accelerator, the Editor-in-Chief of the Stanford Emerging Technology Review, and Hoover leadership to develop a long-range vision for the Accelerator and a strategic plan for impact.
• Make recommendations that may impact the unit's academic and research capabilities. Identify and resolve strategic issues of substantial significance that affect the overall functioning beyond the immediate initiative, consult and advise senior leadership.
• Oversee allocation of all resources.
• Manage the direction of internal academic and administrative policy development for programs and administrative operations.
• Oversee and/or manage the finances across all sources for the annual budget cycle, including developing, monitoring, analyzing forecasting and reporting to ensure the financial success of the organization.
• Manage and coordinate grants and contracts for the department. Ensure compliance with institutional and external requirements.
• Advise senior management on programmatic and policy development. May provide input to university leadership on institutional academic and administrative policies and guidelines.
• Lead day-to-day implementation of the strategic plan, including financial planning and allocating resources; producing workplans, objectives, and deliverables; garnering buy-in from a wide range of stakeholders.

ADDITIONAL CORE DUTIES:

• Execute and manage all aspects of meetings, workshops, and conferences for the Accelerator, including pre-existing research groups and projects. This will involve working closely with the Senior Fellow directing the Accelerator, the Editor-in-Chief of the Stanford Emerging Technology Review, Hoover’s special events team, and participating scholars and guest speakers, both in the U.S. and internationally.
• Assist with the coordination of marketing and communications efforts in relation to the output and productivity of the Accelerator. Will include working closely with members of the Hoover Press and the Communications and Marketing teams.
• May provide input to Hoover and Stanford University leadership on institutional administrative priorities, policies, and guidelines. 

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:
Bachelor’s degree and seven years of relevant experience in administrative and financial management, or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory, planning and change management skills.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills.
• Excellent communication skills. Able to influence people, solve problems, troubleshoot, think creatively and resolve conflicts.
• Advanced financial expertise in accounting budget planning, and financial forecasting.
• Advanced expertise in grants and contract administration.
• Advanced analytical and problem solving skills Strong knowledge of industry standards and/or regulatory requirements.
• Strong negotiation and effective interpersonal skills.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• Advanced expertise in business and management computer applications and databases.
• Subject matter expertise for area(s) of responsibility.
• Ability to multi-task and manage deadlines.

Certifications and Licenses:

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently sitting.
• Occasionally stand/walk, writing by hand, use a telephone, lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork or parts, rarely twist/bend/stoop/squat.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Occasional evening and weekend hours.

WORK STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu .

The expected pay range for this position is $189,000 to $241,000 per annum.
Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards ) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for You
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or course auditing. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at [email protected] . For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form .

The Hoover Institution at Stanford University is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.