Project Director

AAAS; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation leave

Paid sick leave

Paid holidays

Health insurance

Flexible spending account

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement benefits

Disability

Job summary

AAAS is seeking an experienced Project Director for the SRJ to lead innovative projects that connect courts with scientific knowledge using technology and multimedia tools. The role reports to the SRJ Program Director and involves managing grant deliverables, strategy, and program development across partnerships with government, academia, nonprofits, and the private sector.

The candidate should have a background as a science communicator and educator in legal settings, plus experience with

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in science, engineering, education, or law (or comparable work experience).
• Demonstrated experience communicating complex scientific concepts in legal contexts.
• Familiarity with legal procedures and ethical standards regarding science in the courts.
• Experience working with technologists to develop new approaches to science communication.
• Experience in program development with budget management and project oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of tools and resources enabling judges to access independent scientific information.
• Coordinate strategic planning and management of complex, multi-year projects with national impact.
• Collaborate with external consultants, contractors, and vendors to support goals and visibility.
• Represent the organization at external forums and assist with proposal development.
• Develop evaluation frameworks to measure project impact and outcomes.
• Cultivate relationships with judges, scholars, and industry partners to support initiatives.
• Assist with communications, dissemination of resources, and content creation.

Skills

Project management

Science communication

Stakeholder engagement

Budget management

Grant reporting

Strategic planning

Leadership

Multiyear project management

Education

Graduate degree in science, engineering, education, or law

Job description

The AAAS Center for Scientific Responsibility and Justice (SRJ) is seeking an experiencedProject Directorto lead innovative projects that leverage technology and multimedia tools to connect courts with relevant, applicable scientific knowledge and expertise. Reporting to the SRJ Program Director, this Project Director will manage and contribute to grant deliverables, strategic planning, and program development at the intersections of science and law. This position involves a very high level of collaboration with partners in government, academia, nonprofits, and the private sector to accomplish project objectives.

This is an exciting opportunity for a professional who has experience as a science communicator and educator in legal settings, commitment to professional responsibility and ethics, and enthusiasm for leveraging technology for innovative solutions.

Help us ignite the next era of science.

What You’ll Do

Supporting the vision, operation, and strategic direction for SRJ, this position will provide leadership through the following functions:

1. Project Strategy & Execution
   • Lead the development and implementation of new tools, references, and resources that enable judges to access independent scientific information when they need it.
   • Support the conceptualization of project strategies that align with SRJ’s mission and goals.
   • Lead the design and management of complex, multi-year projects with national impact.
   • Collaborate with external consultants, contractors, and vendors to support project goals and enhance program reach and visibility.
   • Represent the organization at external forums to promote project goals and outcomes.
   • Draft and oversee proposal development in collaboration with senior leadership.
   • Support the development and implementation of evaluation frameworks to measure project impact.
2. Stakeholder Engagement & Community Building
   • Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including judicial branch leaders, judges, lawyers, academic institutions, and industry partners, to support project goals and initiatives.
   • Organize and facilitate stakeholder events and dialogues to foster stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
3. Communication & Dissemination
   • Support communication strategy working with internal communications staff to disseminate project information, resources, and outcomes.
   • Oversee the creation and distribution of project-related content, including evidence-based resources, event materials, and technical documentation.
   • Respond to inquiries from stakeholders, providing timely and accurate information to enhance community engagement and project visibility.
4. Operational Excellence & Resources Allocation
   • Develop and manage project budgets including expense tracking, budget forecasting, ensuring grant compliance and alignment with project goals.
   • Optimize resource allocation to ensure operational efficiency and effectiveness.
   • Contribute to proposal writing and grant reporting preparation, submission, and management with senior leadership in accordance with AAAS policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduate degree in science, engineering, education, or law and 10+ years of professional work experience OR comparable work experience.
• Demonstrated experience communicating complex scientific concepts in legal contexts. This could include, for example, serving as a science educator for attorneys or judges, collaborating with legal professionals on research, or serving as an expert witness.
• Familiarity with legal procedures and ethical standards regarding science in the courts.
• Experience working alongside technologists to develop new approaches to science communication.
• Experience in program development and implementation with responsibilities including budget management, assessment of program impact, and project management.
• Comfortable in assuming risks, exercising discretion, problem-solving, and recommending courses of action.
• Enthusiasm for stakeholder engagement, virtually and in person.
• High-level strategic thinking with the ability to shape project direction.
• Strong relationship-building skills with external funders and partners.
• Ability to mentor junior staff and develop team capabilities.
• Flexible, resourceful, and able to manage a variety of tasks simultaneously while setting priorities to meet deadlines under pressure.

The anticipated initial rate of compensation for this position is $125,000 to 150,000 per year. AAAS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance, each subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply.

Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of AAAS and will be based on a variety of factors, including years of experience, depth of experience, and other relevant factors. AAAS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.

AAAS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category. AAAS uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.