ND-IBM Tech Ethics Lab Director

Job Description

Are you interested in joining a highly collaborative, talented team at an exciting time in the history of Notre Dame? Do you want to help advance a major strategic priority for the University focused on ethics and the common good? And do you have experience in and a passion for influencing the development and use of technology? If so, please consider applying to be the ND-IBM Tech Ethics Lab Director at the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good (ECG), the administrative home of the Ethics Initiative (EI). 

Emerging from the University’s recent Strategic Framework, the Ethics Initiative is a collaborative cross-campus initiative to establish Notre Dame as a premier university for research in ethics, offering superb training for future generations of ethicists and ethical leaders and directing our efforts toward guiding and strengthening public understanding of the most significant ethical issues of our time.

Housed within the ECG and funded by an agreement with IBM, the Notre Dame-IBM Technology Ethics Lab promotes broad-based, interdisciplinary research and thought leadership on ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence and other technology by engaging with relevant stakeholders to examine real-world challenges. Its mission is to integrate human values in technology with the aim of positively influencing technological design, development, deployment, and use. The Lab accomplishes this by producing and supporting applied, interdisciplinary research projects and by facilitating dialogue, helping develop standards related to the moral and ethical use of technology, and informing technology-related laws, policies, and governance.

The Lab Director is responsible for setting and executing the strategy and operations of the ND-IBM Lab, including research support and grant management, from inception to execution. They will serve as the primary liaison between ND and IBM, and will prepare and present all updates, agendas, and reports to the Steering Committee.

Reporting to the ECG’s Director for Research and External Engagement, the Lab Director will lead all activities of the Lab, ensuring that its initiatives are aligned with both academic and corporate objectives. This role focuses primarily on strategic growth, partnership management, and program development, with the ultimate goal of establishing Notre Dame (and the Lab) as a preeminent source for practical thought leadership in technology ethics.

Position Duties:

Strategic Leadership and Direction (30%)

• Define and execute the Lab’s strategic vision, working with the Steering Committee (composed of leaders from ND and IBM) to establish priorities and guide the Lab’s direction.
• Act as the primary liaison between ECG and IBM, ensuring effective communication and alignment of interests.
• Foster an environment of innovation and thought leadership in tech ethics, promoting the Lab as a national and global leader in the field.

Program and Project Oversight and Management (20%)

• Drive the design, implementation, and execution of Lab projects, ensuring timely delivery of results and adherence to budget and resources; aligning each with the Lab’s mission and goals. Lead the design of an annual recruitment process for the PhD Fellow program.
• Develop criteria for, promote, and lead the selection process for all calls for proposals funded by the Lab.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, ensuring effective collaboration between researchers, industry professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership Management (20%)

• Conceptualize, create, and lead an annual signature event bringing together leaders in various disciplines—including C-suite executives—to showcase the work of the Lab and further position it as a convener of thought leaders with an orientation toward practical applications of cutting-edge research.
• Convene and facilitate high-level meetings, events, and forums to promote the Lab’s work and foster collaboration among key stakeholders.
• Direct the work of the Lab in a manner that responds to the needs and priorities of both academic and corporate partners, while also serving the public good.

Operational Management (20%)

• Oversee the financial and administrative aspects of the Lab, including budget development, financial oversight, and resource allocation, coordinating these processes with the ECG’s Assistant Director of Finance and Administration.
• Manage contracts, agreements, and partnerships relevant to the operation of the Lab, ensuring compliance with institutional and corporate policies; collaborate accordingly with the ECG’s Associate Director of Faculty Fellowships, Appointments, and Outreach.
• Develop and implement systems for tracking progress on initiatives, reporting on outcomes, and measuring the Lab’s impact.

Public Engagement Strategy and Outreach (10%)

• Lead the development of strategies to raise awareness of the Lab’s work and achievements, working in conjunction with ECG’s Assistant Director of Communications.
• Oversee the creation and dissemination of relevant collateral including reports, newsletters, website content, social media, and other public- facing materials to amplify the lab’s impact and research findings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree (5 years) or advanced certification beyond Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Computer Science, Policy, or a related field (required)
• At least five years of experience in corporate administrative or leadership roles, with a focus on operations, project management, or strategic planning.
• Proven experience managing large-scale, cross- functional teams and overseeing complex programs or initiatives.
• Experience working in a research or academic environment, ideally with exposure to technology or ethics-related fields, is a plus.
• Track record of event management and planning for corporate and/or academic participants.
• Strong background in managing partnerships between academic institutions, corporations, or government entities is highly desirable.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative, high-performing environment.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Strong financial and budget management skills, with experience overseeing budgets.
• Superior communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, from faculty to executives.
• Proficiency in project management tools, Microsoft Office Suite, and other relevant software.

Preferred Qualifications

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