The American Psychological Association (APA) is seeking a strategic thinker and collaborative leader for the new position of Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest. This position is responsible for leading a transformational agenda to increase the impact of APA’s efforts by applying the science and practice of psychology to benefit society and improve lives. The Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest will oversee the diverse portfolio of the Public Interest (PI) Directorate, which includes programs and initiatives related to critical societal issues, with a special emphasis on underserved populations. This person will also work with the CEO, Deputy CEO, Chief Diversity Officer, and other members of the Executive Management Group to foster collaboration and to ensure alignment between APA’s activities and strategic priorities.
Job Summary:
Guided by APA’s strategic priorities, the Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest supports program staff in taking a leadership role in advancing priority areas across the association to coordinate and thereby maximize the societal benefits of APA’s work and to develop metrics to assess that impact. This person supervises the approximately 30-person staff of the PI Directorate, with programs and federally-funded projects focused on societal issues (e.g., violence prevention, health disparities, poverty, and immigration) and specific populations (i.e., ethnic minorities; LGBT persons; people with disabilities; children, youth, and families; women; and older adults). The Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest also works closely with the Education, Science, and Practice Directorates to ensure that the expertise of PI staff, along with related governance groups, APA divisions, and members, is integrated into their work, and in turn, that the content expertise of these directorates helps to inform the work of the PI Directorate. In addition to working with relevant APA entities, the Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest is responsible for collaborating with external partners to implement innovative ways for psychology to monitor and address societal challenges and opportunities.
Job Qualifications:
Requirements include: a doctoral degree in psychology and at least 10 years of post-degree experience in the field. Significant leadership and management experience are also required, preferably in a large organization;
Experience and commitment related to the application of psychological science and practice to societal issues to respond in a strategic, informed manner;
Strategic planning, analytical, and decision-making skills;
Familiarity and successful experience with managing organizational change;
Proven ability to supervise others, develop and work successfully with a large team of professionals, and collaborate effectively in the interest of a common goal or mission;
Superior interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills, with the ability to utilize data to shape messages for diverse audiences;
Sound professional judgment and demonstrated ability to work effectively under pressure, attend to details, meet deadlines, and be held accountable for results.
Expectations:
A dynamic and visionary leader is sought for the Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest position who will represent the association in efforts to address critical societal issues. As such, strong leadership skills and experience, together with a collaborative spirit and work style, are critically important to engage teams with diverse expertise across multiple topic areas. This position involves significant strategic planning, budgetary, and organizational responsibility, along with the ability to oversee multiple initiatives simultaneously. The Chief of Psychology in the Public Interest will serve on the CEO’s Executive Management Group, report directly to the Deputy CEO, and work with APA’s Board of Directors and other governance groups that serve as advisory bodies to the PI Directorate.
About APA:
The American Psychological Association (APA) represents 118,400 psychologists, students, and affiliates, primarily in the U.S. and Canada but also in other countries around the world. APA is a scientific and professional organization categorized as a 501(c)(3) and has an annual operating budget of about $110 million. Along with its 501(c)(6) companion organization, APA Services, Inc., APA has about 600 employees. The American Psychological Association is located at 750 First Street, NE, Washington D.C., near Union Station. It is Metro accessible from the Red Line, VRE (Virginia), and MARC (Maryland/ West Virginia) commuter trains. For more information, please visit www.apa.org/.
Application Instructions:
Qualified candidates must apply online through APA’s applicant system and attach a cover letter and CV/resume specifying salary expectations. Applications that are submitted without both documents are considered incomplete and will not be reviewed for consideration. Once your application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation email. Please make sure to check your spam folder if you do not receive an email from us.
The American Psychological Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected categories covered under local law.