Executive Director, Center for Behavioral Science and AI

Note: APA operates on a 37.5-hour work week with one-hour lunch breaks each day. APA sets salaries based on several considerations, including years of relevant experience, level of education, and previous staff and/or governance experience at APA.

The Executive Director (ED) serves as the chief executive and public ambassador of the Center for Behavioral Science and AI (CBSAI), providing visionary leadership across strategy, research, external relations, fundraising, operations and organizational management. The ED champions the application of psychological science to AI platforms and emerging technology policy, and translates the Center's mission into measurable impact.

This is a rare opportunity for a leader with both scientific depth and entrepreneurial drive to build something genuinely new at the intersection of behavioral science and artificial intelligence. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable shaping a long-term research agenda, delivering a keynote address at an international forum, and managing a lean, mission-driven team. In close partnership with APA leadership and the Center's funders and stakeholders, the ED will be accountable for the Center's programmatic impact, commitment to scientific and ethical standards, and fiscal health.

About the Center:

Technology companies have long recognized the importance of understanding how human behavior intersects with AI systems, platforms, and applications. With AI rapidly penetrating all aspects of individuals' lives and society as a whole, the technology presents both extraordinary promise and significant peril.

The CBSAI seeks to fundamentally broaden the role of psychological science in AI's layered ecosystem - spanning software, hardware, language models, data tools, and the interfaces used to build, train, deploy, and manage AI applications. The Center is how APA's institutional capacity becomes operational for the AI industry: a permanent infrastructure for translating the broad body of behavioral science into the products that now mediate how billions of people think, feel, learn, work, and relate to one another.

APA believes AI's scaffolding should enable humans to thrive, adapt, and grow across all dimensions of life. The Center will sit at the nexus of human behavior, technology, and well-being - bridging academic research and real-world impact by bringing sound science to AI and technology companies through research, advocacy, education, and national and international collaboration.

The Center is in its start-up phase and seeks a dynamic founding-generation leader to build its programs, deepen its reach, and establish CBSAI as a premier voice in human-centered AI and behavioral science.

Salary range - $320k - $420k

Education and Experience Required

• Doctoral degree (PhD) in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Behavioral Science, Public Policy, or a closely related interdisciplinary field strongly preferred; advanced study or certification in AI policy, technology law, international studies, or organizational governance is a meaningful asset
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience spanning research, policy, entrepreneurship, and/or executive leadership
• Demonstrated success founding, leading, or significantly scaling a mission-driven organization, research center, or start-up
• Substantial experience conducting and publishing original research in behavioral science, cognitive science, AI, technology policy, or a related field
• Deep expertise in the behavioral and psychological dimensions of AI, including human-AI interaction, the mental health impacts of technology, social media and platform design, and consumer technology
• Experience in business development, strategic partnering, and stakeholder management across public, private, and nonprofit sectors
• Familiarity with AI applications and the business models of technology companies
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including compelling public speaking ability

Computer Skills Required (including level of expertise):

• Advanced proficiency in the Microsoft Office 365 suite, including PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint
• Familiarity with data analysis and visualization tools for research and strategic insights
• Experience with digital communications platforms and content management systems
• Knowledge of AI tools, platforms, and applications relevant to behavioral science research

Responsibilities

Strategic and Organizational Leadership

• Define and execute the Center's long-term strategic vision in partnership with APA leadership and Board of Directors
• Drive the development and continuous innovation of the Center's core programs, ensuring they remain relevant, rigorous, and responsive to the rapidly evolving AI landscape
• Build and manage a multidisciplinary team of researchers, policy experts, educators, and communications professionals
• Lead day-to-day organizational operations including budgeting, financial oversight, human resources, and compliance
• Cultivate a culture of intellectual rigor, ethical practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, and equity
• Identify emerging opportunities to expand the Center's influence, visibility, and impact across sectors including consumer technology, mental health, education, and public policy.

Research and Policy Leadership

• Direct the Center's research agenda on human-centered AI, including the behavioral, cognitive, and psychological dimensions of AI system design, deployment, and societal impact
• Oversee and author policy reports, white papers, RFI responses, and formal comments to U.S. and international regulatory and legislative bodies
• Provide expert recommendations on laws, norms, and standards to advance psychologically informed, human-centered AI to government agencies, legislative bodies, and intergovernmental organizations including the UN, GPAI, and OECD
• Represent the Center on expert working groups, advisory committees, and multi-stakeholder bodies at the national and international levels

Stakeholder Engagement and Coalition Building

• Cultivate and sustain partnerships with AI and technology companies, behavioral health organizations, academic institutions, government agencies, and civil society groups
• Build coalitions that amplify the Center's reach and mobilize collective action around the responsible application of behavioral science to AI development
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Center and its funders, partners, and key stakeholders

Thought Leadership and Public Engagement

• Serve as the Center's primary public voice, delivering keynotes, plenary addresses, and panel presentations at major national and international forums
• Publish op-eds, articles, and commentary in leading outlets - including scientific journals, policy publications, and mainstream media - to advance the Center's agenda
• Develop and facilitate workshops, webinars, and public education programs for diverse audiences including technology executives, policymakers, clinicians, students, and general audiences
• Cultivate an active media presence and serve as an authoritative spokesperson on the intersection of psychology, behavioral science, and AI
• Proactively manage the Center's public positioning in a fast-moving and sometimes contested policy environment

Education and Curriculum Development

• Design and oversee the Center's educational programs and curricula at the intersection of AI, psychology, behavioral science, and ethics for audiences ranging from high school students to senior executives
• Forge and deepen academic partnerships with universities and research institutions to expand the Center's educational footprint and pipeline of emerging talent
• Mentor early- and mid-career professionals in behavioral science, technology policy, and related career pathways

Fundraising and Resource Development

• Lead fundraising efforts including foundation grants, government contracts, corporate partnerships, and individual giving
• Develop and execute short- and long-term sustainable funding strategies aligned with the Center's growth priorities and APA's philanthropic framework
• Cultivate relationships with philanthropic funders, federal agencies, research foundations, and private sector partners in the technology, scientific, and behavioral health industries
• Oversee the execution of funding proposals and reports, partnership agreements, and executive summaries

Board Relations and Governance

• Partner closely with the Board Chair and full Board to govern the organization with transparency and accountability
• Prepare and present regular reports to the Board on strategy, finances, programming, and external relations
• Support board development including recruitment, orientation, committee engagement, and governance best practices

Travel

• ~25-30% domestic and international

Other Duties as Assigned

About APA:

The American Psychological Association (APA) represents 146,000 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 with about 500 employees and is categorized as a 501(c)(3) along with its 501(c)(6) companion organization, APA Services, Inc.

APA offers a generous employee benefits program, including Remote Work/Flexible Scheduling; a 401(k) option with employer match of up to 4%; medical, dental, and vision insurance options and an outpatient mental health benefit; paid personal/vacation time plus 12 paid holidays; Family/Medical Leave; tuition assistance; an Employee Assistance Program (EAP); short- and long-term disability insurance; and more.

Job Location: Remote: APA jobs may be considered for remote work eligibility as defined in APA's Flexible Work Policy and are subject to approval. Remote work employees may not work from the following states or U.S. territories: Alaska, California, Colorado, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, U.S. Virgin Islands, Washington, Wyoming.

Application Instructions:

Qualified candidates must apply online through APA's applicant system and attach a resume and cover letter specifying your 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 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. #LIRemote