Executive Director, Center for Behavioral Science and AI

APA•Washington, DC

7d•Remote

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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
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

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.
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
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
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
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
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
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

Benefits

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

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