Executive Director Center for Constitutional Democracy

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Center for Constitutional Democracy

Classification: Level 6 / Class 6310 / Full Time (on-site) / Exempt / Non-Represented

Hiring Salary: $140,000-$165,000, Commensurate with experience

Term: One-year term with annual renewal contingent on funding

Location: San Francisco, California

THE CENTER

The Center for Constitutional Democracy is the newest research center at UC Law SF and was publicly launched in September 2025. It is an intellectual hub and action center focused on supporting innovative work across strategy to defend and advance rights, justice, and American constitutional democracy.

Initial Year 1 focus areas of the Center for Constitutional Democracy included: (1) working across legal strategy in the courts, legislatures, and in communities to defend and advance U.S. constitutional rights and California law; (2) anticipating and proactively addressing threats to constitutional rights and democratic institutions in an era of rapid AI and other technological change; (3) building a network of subject matter experts at universities across the country to collaborate to defend and advance constitutional rights; and (4) educating students and the broader community about constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

Activities include scholarship, public education, and supporting work in the courts, legislatures, and communities that is focused on defending basic norms and processes of constitutional democracy and advancing rights, justice, and the rule of law more generally. Work of the Center includes research, memoranda, legal briefs, white papers, op-eds and other public materials, sponsorship of workshops and symposia, educational outreach to K-12, undergraduate and graduate and professional students, and other public facing endeavors.

With strategic focus and unparalleled legal expertise, the Center for Constitutional Democracy champions the most challenging cases, fights for due process, privacy, speech, and other constitutional principles, and promotes policies that advance American constitutional democracy. It is a trusted partner for legal teams and brings invaluable expertise and compelling personal stories to shape the public narrative. Through policy advocacy and education, the Center provides critical expertise to policymakers at all levels of government, leading the movement to honor the guarantees of the Constitution. More information about the Center for Constitutional Democracy is at www.uclawsf.edu/we-the-people.

THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Center seeks an Executive Director to develop and lead initiatives designed to advance the Center's mission and support constitutional democracy in the United States. The Executive Director will report to the Chancellor & Dean through June 2027 and to the Provost & Academic Dean thereafter. The position involves evaluating, developing, implementing, and administering initiatives targeting threats to basic freedoms and constitutional structures and crafting strategies to continue to advance rights, justice, and constitutional democracy. These responsibilities extend to identifying and organizing subject matter experts at UC Law SF, at other University of California campuses, and at institutions of higher education nationally and internationally, for the purpose of supporting efforts to combat attempts to undermine the systems and guarantees of

constitutional democracy and the rule of law generally. The successful candidate will be a leader who can work with institutions in the legal and broader community, including law firms, nonprofit organizations, State agencies, and university partners, to engage effectively around the subject of constitutional democracy.

Typical duties and responsibilities consist of, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the Center and advance and further develop its mission as circumstances warrant;
• Raise funds for the continued operation of the Center, with guidance from the law school's Office of Sponsored Projects and the Advancement Office;
• Plan, organize, and host workshops, symposia, and other professional meetings that advance the mission and goals of the Center;
• Organize affiliated faculty and other scholars, inside and outside UC Law SF, to participate in activities of the Center, which might include consulting on litigation, contributing to amicus briefs, writing op-eds, participating in workshops and symposia, and publishing on subjects related to ongoing threats to the constitutional order;
• Promote and publicize the work of the Center, with support from the Office of Communications;
• Strategically heighten the visibility of the Center's work including by coordinating with outside communications consultants to develop publicity campaigns and disseminate materials;
• Draft reports, letters and memoranda related to program activities;
• Supervise Center staff and pro bono volunteers;
• Manage the Center's budget; 
• Performs related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• J.D. degree
• Professional experience relevant to the position, ideally including public litigation or policy experience and/or significant work in a nonprofit organization or State or Federal Agency.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Strong leadership skills;
• Excellent oral and written skills;
• Firm knowledge of constitutional law;
• The ability to work with professionals in academia, nonprofit organizations, law firms, and State and Federal agencies;
• Demonstrated ability to inspire teams around common goals and interests;
• Tact, diplomacy and a willingness to assist students, faculty, administrative staff, and members of the legal community;
• Strong interpersonal communication skills;
• Ability to take initiative, prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently, as well as being able to contribute as a member of a team;
• Creative and entrepreneurial approach, with high motivation to generate ideas that are engaging and valuable to the Center, law school, and broader community;
• Strong work ethic and attention to detail;
• Trustworthiness with sensitive and confidential personnel, financial, and case information;
• Ability to fundraise and manage budgets;
• Commitment to protecting and promoting constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

BENEFITS

Health and Welfare Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental and vision insurance coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts for transportation-related, healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Life Insurance, Disability Insurance, and Legal Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Plans/Pre-tax Retirement Savings Programs

For your Work/Life Balance

• Fifteen paid holidays per year
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• Commuter Benefits Program

THE HIRING PROCESS

Appointment contracts are on the academic calendar. Annual renewal is subject to funding and performance.

This position has been designated as “sensitive” and requires a pre-employment background check.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please contact Human Resources if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Applicants who meet the position requirements will be competitively evaluated to identify the individuals whose breadth and depth of experience and education most closely relate to the stated requirements and the needs of the College. Depending on the quality and number of the applications received, only the better qualified applicants may be contacted for an interview. The position is open until filled.

UC Law SF is an equal opportunity employer. UC Law SF strives to provide a diverse and inclusive educational environment that fosters cultural awareness, mutual understanding and respect. UC Law SF is interested in candidates who will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity in higher education through their teaching. Qualified women and members of underrepresented minority groups are strongly encouraged to apply.