Message from the Executive Director
From: Kirk Hanson
Subject: Position Description for Executive Director of Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
Dear Colleague,
You probably know that I am stepping down as Executive Director of the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University this summer, and plan to retire or go part time sometime in the next year. My seventeen years leading the Center has been an extraordinary privilege.
The University’s Vice Provost, Prof. Elsa Chen, is chairing the search committee for my successor. The committee has just released the position description and what we call the “Leadership Profile,” a document prepared for all dean-level searches. These are attached.
It is critical that we find the right leader to focus the Markkula Center’s efforts to promote ethical thinking in society. We have this week added two additional staff, bringing the staff size to 25. As we are all aware, there are so many critical applied ethics issues to address.
I would greatly appreciate your forwarding this email to academics with a practical bent — or practitioners with an academic and intellectual bent(!) — who might be interested in this position. Consideration of candidates will begin on March 9. Those who wish to be considered can apply and submit a resume and cover letter at: https://jobs.scu.edu/postings/6729
Thank you!
Kirk
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Kirk O. Hanson
Executive Director, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
John Courtney Murray SJ University Professor, Santa Clara U
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Executive Director, Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
I. POSITION PURPOSE Santa Clara University, a Jesuit, Catholic University in Silicon Valley, seeks an innovative, charismatic, and entrepreneurial leader for the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics. Founded in 1986, the Markkula Center is the largest and most active university-based ethics center in the world, with programs in bioethics, business ethics, campus ethics, character education, digital journalism ethics, government ethics, internet ethics, leadership ethics, social sector ethics, and technology ethics. The Center’s mission, which plays a central role at Santa Clara and extends beyond campus to Silicon Valley and the larger world, is to educate and empower individuals and organizations to make good ethical choices and how to create ethical organizations. The Executive Director is the chief executive of the Center with full responsibility for the vision, strategy, fundraising, and leadership of the Center. In addition, the Executive Director, who reports to the Provost, is a senior University leader, and insures that the Center advances the overall mission and reputation of Santa Clara University. While the successful candidate will serve full-time as Executive Director, she or he will also hold a faculty appointment at Santa Clara University.
II. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Advances the mission of the Center and sustains progress in service of that mission; promotes the vision of the Center’s role on campus, in Silicon Valley, and in the world
b. Continually reviews and enhances long- and short-term strategies for the Center to achieve its vision
c. Leads a team of entrepreneurial program directors, supporting innovation in the Center’s focus areas
d. Develops and grows relationships and networks with key intellectual, business, government and philanthropic leaders in Silicon Valley and beyond
e. Engages donors to fund the work of the Center
f. Represents the Center publicly and serves as a significant voice in public discourse on key ethics issues
III. OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Imagines and creates relationships and joint programs with all schools and colleges, and other units throughout the University
b. Engages closely with the Center’s Advisory Board of community leaders and Steering Committee of faculty advisors
c. Acts as a senior leader in the University, taking on tasks and assignments from the Provost and President at their request
d. Hires, directs, inspires, and motivates staff to achieve the Center’s mission and vision
e. Creates an annual budget for the Center and manages to that budget
IV. KEY SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES
a. EXPERTISE IN APPLIED ETHICS. The Executive Director must be a thought leader who demonstrates passion for the field of applied ethics as it pertains to the lives of individuals and institutions, in professions and in society. The ED’s experience may be in an academic or practitioner role, but a deep engagement with the field of ethics is necessary.
b. VISION AND STRATEGY. The Executive Director must appreciate the vital role an ethics center can play in the university and in society, with creativity and an innovative spirit. The ED must be able to express that vision in ways that inspire and motivate others, and articulate long- and short-term strategies for achieving the Center’s vision.
c. LEADERSHIP. The Executive Director must be able to attract and motivate highly talented staff; sustain an organizational culture at the Center that is innovative, professional, compassionate, and committed to diversity; inspire colleagues and the Advisory Board and communicate a compelling vision for the future of the Center that engages a diversity of stakeholders.
d. FUNDRAISING. All candidates should be prepared to engage in development activities to provide short- and long-term resources to advance the operations and goals of the Center.
e. COMMUNICATION SKILLS. The ED engages with the media frequently, and makes audio, video and in-person presentations to a wide range of audiences. With that in mind, the Executive Director should be able to express his or her ideas effectively in written and spoken word.
V. PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY
Nominations and expressions of interest, including a CV and cover letter of interest, can be sent via email to Ms. Chris Changras at cchangras@scu.edu. Questions concerning this search may be directed to the search committee chair: Dr. Elsa Chen, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, at echen@scu.edu. Interested applicants can apply through this link on the Santa Clara University Human Resources web site. The position will remain open until filled, but materials should be sent by March 9, 2018 for fullest consideration. The recruitment will be conducted in confidence until finalists are invited for campus visits, at which time professional references will also be contacted. Santa Clara University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, committed to excellence through diversity and inclusion, and, in this spirit, particularly welcomes applications from women, persons of color, and members of historically underrepresented groups. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected category in accordance with applicable law. The University will provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with a disability.
View the MCAE Leadership Profile here.
Thanks to the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE) for this announcement. – KDP