Director, Weinberg Center

Apply now Job no:500900
College / VP Area: Lerner College Business & Econ
Work type:Staff
Location:Newark/Hybrid
Categories:Full Time, Program/Project Management

Over more than two decades, the University of Delaware’s John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance has built a reputation for excellence in the corporate governance field, offering independent and balanced insight and fostering interactions that have helped shape and influence corporate governance debates and developments, while becoming a nationally and internationally recognized thought leader.

The Center, housed in the Lerner College of Business and Economics, provides a forum for its varied constituencies, including business leaders, members of corporate boards, stockholders, the judiciary, academics, students, and governance and legal professionals. The Center brings them together for informed dialogue, teaching and learning about corporate governance. The Center’s distinguished Advisory Board represents many of these varied constituencies.

The Center is among the most well-respected corporate governance centers in academia and the only one in the State of Delaware, the legal home of many U.S. corporations and home to the renowned Delaware courts. Members of the Delaware judiciary are actively involved in Center activities.

The Center’s activities include:

• Organizing neutral thought-provoking conferences, presentations, panel discussions, webinars, and workshops. Topics evolve with current developments but in the past have included Delaware court decisions or legislation and their implications, ESG, cybersecurity, board oversight, board composition, board diversity, disclosures, and accounting/auditing issues.
• Engaging with Lerner academic units to develop and promote scholarly initiatives in support of the Center’s mission and Lerner College. These include planning for and offering undergraduate courses as well as graduate and certificate courses and for credit programs.
• Supporting, funding, and disseminating independent research on corporate governance and social responsibility issues including through a grant received from the Investor Responsibility Research Center Institute (IRRCi) and the Myron Steele Fellowship. Organizing academic conferences for presentation and discussion of research papers.
• Other outreach and collaborative activities, including partnering with the Investor Stewardship Group (ISG) which has set forth a set of stewardship principles for institutional investors and corporate governance principles for U.S. listed companies.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership, strategic direction, and management for the Center.
• Serve as an active member of the Lerner College of Business and Economics.
• Academics
  • Provide leadership with respect to and cooperate with Lerner faculty who teach Corporate Governance elements in Lerner curricula and courses.
  • Explore the feasibility of establishing a certificate program in Corporate Governance for graduates and professionals, together with required and elective courses. If feasible, implement.
  • Explore the feasibility of establishing a Corporate Governance undergraduate major, including required and elective courses. If feasible, implement.
  • Develop curricula for and teach undergraduate and/or graduate courses in Corporate Governance or Business Law.
  • Engage with other University of Delaware and Lerner Centers, academic departments, and faculty to develop and promote engaging academic initiatives and conferences to promote innovative research.
  • Actively promote faculty and student interest and involvement in the Center and its scholarly initiatives.
  • Serve as the advisor for the Lerner Student Leadership Board
• Research
  • Select and collaborate with the Myron Steele Fellow to identify topics for and pursue corporate governance research.
  • Manage and oversee fulfilment of obligations associated with the 2018 Investor Responsibility Research Institute (IRRCi) grant.
  • Work through the center to develop and promote academic and translational research related to Corporate Governance
• Programming and Content Production
  • Develop and promote compelling, diverse programming, seminars and conferences for both academics and practitioners.
  • Author articles or postings regarding emerging topics for publication in academic and non-academic periodicals, blogs, social media, media or other channels.
  • Manage and oversee the Center’s work and relationship with the Investor Stewardship Group (ISG).
  • As time permits, participate in conferences within and beyond UD, programs, and projects as a speaker, commentator, moderator, panelist, or lecturer.
  • When relevant to Center activities, seek roles on high-profile governance and ESG task forces.

• Fundraising/Development
  • In partnership with UD and Lerner College Corporate Relations and Development Officers, establish fundraising goals for the Center, develop and execute fundraising programs.
  • Seek and secure sponsorships and co-sponsorships for Center initiatives and programs.
• External Affairs
  • Raise Weinberg Center’s profile within and beyond UD by providing key information to UD leaders, Advisory Board members, Center constituencies, and outside audiences.
  • Utilize both traditional and social media channels to communicate regarding Center activities within the UD guidelines.
  • With support from Lerner’s Public Affairs staff, manage the Center’s public/government relations.
• Center Leadership and Administration
  • Implement the Center’s Strategic Plan – adopted 2023. Modify as events warrant.
  • Maintain open channels of communication and planning processes with the Advisory Board’s Chair, Vice-Chair, and committee chairs. Foster regular, open communications with other Advisory Board members – to advise them regarding progress against goals, to solicit input for programming and board recruitment, and to assist with development efforts.
  • Work with the Center’s Advisory Board to periodically reassess and, where necessary, revise the Center’s Strategic Plan and other Center initiatives.
  • Develop organizational strategies in consultation with key external and UD stakeholders including other UD centers, institutes, and initiatives.
  • Manage, develop, and mentor the Center’s staff, including professional, administrative, and student personnel.
  • In consultation with the Lerner Dean’s Office, develop and/or implement effective strategic risk management processes.
  • Develop and manage the Center’s budget and all fiscal matters consistent with university policies and the Center’s endowment and gift requirements.
  • Ensure effective records management.

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• J.D. degree from an accredited law school or comparable advanced degree in Business related fields, Finance, Law, or Economics.
• 15 years of related experience.
• Demonstrated high level of accomplishment in the corporate governance arena.
• Exemplary, and unquestionable integrity.
• Evidence of thought leadership through transformational organizational leadership, high-quality publications, and notable speaking engagements. Dynamic thinker and leader excited to foster and participate in scholarship and research activities to further the Center’s mission.
• Experience successfully managing and developing staff and leading an organization in successful execution of organization’s strategy and tactics to meet or exceed its goals.
• Experience building relationships and collaborating with senior executives and practitioners and/or building a mission-driven center, program or institute within a university or other non-profit setting.
• Ability to build consensus, collaborate, and lead in an inclusive and people-focused manner.
• Strong interpersonal skills with an enthusiastic and optimistic style of expression.

Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

Applications close:Open until filled

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