Executive Director for Election Law Center (12 Month Salaried)
Department
College of Law
Responsibilities
The Executive Director of the College of Law Election Law Center provides overall strategic, operational, and institutional leadership for the Center. The Executive Director is responsible for directing the Center's administrative operations, expanding public programming, leading legislative and state agency engagement, managing budget resources, supporting scholarly and policy research, and driving comprehensive student advising, mentorship, and career placement initiatives.
Institutional Leadership & Operational Management
Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Required Skills
Contact Info
Donna Chandler
FSU College of Law HR Representative
dchandler@law.fsu.edu
850-644-1063
University Information
One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there's the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow's news!
Learn more about Florida State University and our campuses .
Anticipated Salary Range
Anticipated salary range: $140,000-$165,000, negotiable depending on experience. This is a soft-money funded position, with renewal based on available funds and the needs of the College of Law and the University.
FSU Total Rewards
FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package. Visit our FSU Total Rewards website to learn more about our Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Recognition, and Employee Development programs.
Use our FSU Total Compensation Calculato r to calculate Total Compensation options based on potential salary, benefits and retirement contributions, earned leave, and other employment-related perks.
How To Apply
If qualified and interested in a specific Faculty job opening as advertised, apply through the FSU Faculty Careers site (jobs.fsu.edu). If you are a current FSU employee, apply through myFSU Self Service.
Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include education details even if attaching a Vita.
Considerations
This is a Faculty position.
This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check .
Equal Employment Opportunity
FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
College of Law
Responsibilities
The Executive Director of the College of Law Election Law Center provides overall strategic, operational, and institutional leadership for the Center. The Executive Director is responsible for directing the Center's administrative operations, expanding public programming, leading legislative and state agency engagement, managing budget resources, supporting scholarly and policy research, and driving comprehensive student advising, mentorship, and career placement initiatives.
Institutional Leadership & Operational Management
- Oversee day-to-day operations, strategic planning, budgeting, and personnel management for the Center, including recruitment and supervision of staff attorneys, research fellows, and student workers.
- Lead strategic outreach to local, state, and national stakeholders to establish the Center as a premier, non-partisan institutional authority on election administration and constitutional law.
- Maintain active collaborations with key policy entities, academic networks, and professional associations across the country.
- Drive legislative and governmental affairs efforts to secure recurring public funding and fulfill legislative mandates in election administration.
- Work closely with university administration, legislative leaders, committee staff, and state agency officials to position the Center as a credible resource for lawmakers and policymakers.
- Direct specialized policy research initiatives, including the development of model statutes, statutory analysis, and legislative background reviews.
- Concept, fundraise for, and execute high-profile national conferences, symposia, and academic panels convening prominent judges, senior litigators, public officials, legal scholars, and journalists.
- Organize timely virtual programming, teleforums, and post-oral argument briefings covering major U.S. Supreme Court and state court election law cases.
- Serve as an institutional liaison to media outlets and legal reporters, facilitating commentary and expert references on election law and governance topics.
- Provide individualized career counseling and mentorship to law students pursuing careers in election law, state government, litigation, and public policy.
- Serve as faculty advisor to legal student organizations, providing guidance on speaker recruitment, event execution, and leadership development.
- Cultivate and expand competitive internship, fellowship, and externship placements with key executive branch agencies, state election commissions, and private practice firms.
- Facilitate experiential learning opportunities by coordinating student involvement in high-level appellate research, amicus brief preparation, and major academic events.
- Engage with prospective, accepted, and alumni communities through specialized events, receptions, and targeted outreach.
Qualifications
- A J.D. from an accredited law school is required.
- Minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in election law, public policy, state government affairs, higher education administration, or appellate legal practice.
- Demonstrated track record of successful strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, legislative advocacy, and event management.
Preferred Qualifications
Required Skills
- Strong leadership, managerial, and organizational abilities to direct complex projects under firm deadlines.
- Proven capacity to cultivate strategic relationships with government officials, university leadership, legal scholars, and donors.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills for diverse audiences (academic, legal, media, and public).
- Demonstrated commitment to non-partisan, objective, and rigorous academic research and public service.
- Experience in student mentorship, career counseling, or law school student organization advising
Contact Info
Donna Chandler
FSU College of Law HR Representative
dchandler@law.fsu.edu
850-644-1063
University Information
One of the nation's elite research universities, Florida State University preserves, expands, and disseminates knowledge in the sciences, technology, arts, humanities, and professions, while embracing a philosophy of learning strongly rooted in the traditions of the liberal arts and critical thinking. Founded in 1851, Florida State University is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. FSU is a community steeped in tradition that fosters research and encourages creativity. At FSU, there's the excitement of being part of a vibrant academic and professional community, surrounded by people whose ideas are shaping tomorrow's news!
Learn more about Florida State University and our campuses .
Anticipated Salary Range
Anticipated salary range: $140,000-$165,000, negotiable depending on experience. This is a soft-money funded position, with renewal based on available funds and the needs of the College of Law and the University.
FSU Total Rewards
FSU offers a robust Total Rewards package. Visit our FSU Total Rewards website to learn more about our Compensation, Benefits, Wellness, Recognition, and Employee Development programs.
Use our FSU Total Compensation Calculato r to calculate Total Compensation options based on potential salary, benefits and retirement contributions, earned leave, and other employment-related perks.
How To Apply
If qualified and interested in a specific Faculty job opening as advertised, apply through the FSU Faculty Careers site (jobs.fsu.edu). If you are a current FSU employee, apply through myFSU Self Service.
Applicants are required to complete the online application with all applicable information. Applications must include education details even if attaching a Vita.
Considerations
This is a Faculty position.
This position requires successful completion of a criminal history background check .
Equal Employment Opportunity
FSU is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.