The School of Engineering and Applied Science at Princeton University seeks an inaugural Executive Director to oversee the Princeton Center for the Decentralization of Power Through Blockchain Technology (DeCenter). DeCenter seeks to be a thought and impact leader at the intersection of blockchain technology, society, policy, and benefits to humanity at a very critical point in time. The center will accelerate three areas of work at Princeton: the underlying engineering behind blockchain and related technologies; innovative uses of the technologies not only in finance and economics, but also in areas such as voting and news; and the implications that such technologies could have for society.

Reporting to the faculty co-Directors, the Executive Director spearheads the development of DeCenterâ™s vision and strategic direction during an era of technological disruptions and development. Through strategic leadership and by initiating and leading special projects, the Executive Director leverages faculty and industry expertise to build community and cultivate new blockchain research efforts. The Executive Director works alongside the faculty co-Directors as a thought partner, creative problem solver, and trusted adviser to achieve the centerâ™s goals.

Strategic Leadership: The Executive Director supports the faculty co-Directors to advance the centerâ™s mission by planning, developing, implementing, and leading strategic efforts. Central to these efforts is the fostering of interactions and cultivation of relationships among stakeholders in academia, industry, government agencies and others to bring about high impact blockchain research and innovation. Identifying and pursuing strategic partnership to explore opportunities for joint collaborative research projects and knowledge sharing. The Executive Director will take a leadership role in planning conferences, seminars, and other convening events bringing together a wide range of experts â“ computer scientists, engineers, economists, political scientists, ethicists, human rights advocates, regulators, politicians, and industry, ecosystem, and startup leaders.

Research Engagement: The Executive Director develops avenues and opportunities to engage faculty, and their students, with the purpose of cultivating a strong sense of community and fostering research synergies. The Executive Director helps coordinate recruitment and appointment of researchers and visiting collaborators, and assists with the coordination of proposal teams for joint research efforts and white paper collaborations. This individual helps develop and coordinate faculty-led research collaborations with industry and government ensuring the experience is seamless for all involved.

Academic Programming: The Executive Director works collaboratively with the faculty co-Directors to design, create, and administer academic programming, facilitating undergraduate and graduate research opportunities, ensuring compliance with Princeton Universityâ™s standards, and continuously working with various groups across campus to improve outcomes based on metrics, reporting and feedback.

Management and Administration: The Executive Director oversees the center's administration of activities and operating budget and compliance and oversight of research and financial issues. This individual supervises the hiring, performance reviews, and merit increase process for administrative staff. The Executive Director is responsible for process improvements and coordinates organizational procedures for increased efficiency and productivity.

Communications: The Executive Director will help define the DeCenter identity and narrative and develop a communications plan to increase the visibility of DeCenter on Princetonâ™s campus, and beyond. The Executive Director will oversee communications, including website, social media, print, and internal and external newsletters. The Executive Director will represent the center at various meetings on and off campus.

Financial Management and Reporting: In addition to developing and overseeing the administrative budget for DeCenter, the Executive Director develops financial and non-financial metrics to help the faculty co-Directors identify challenges and strengths. Utilizing metrics tracking and reporting, the Executive Director oversees financial operations, supervises the administration of research and academic program activities, steers thecenterâ™s narrative, and owns processes to drive greater coordination, interactions, and communication.

Required:

- Bachelorâ™s degree and 7+ years of experience, including 5+ years of management/supervisory experience.
- Adept at understanding the blockchain ecosystem and stakeholders in the industry, as well as communicating understanding of blockchain technology to a general audience.
- Demonstrated ability to provide vision, strategic leadership and implementation for organization building.
- Ability to initiate and cultivate relationships with all levels of administrators, researchers, alumni donors, government officials, and industry experts.
- Excellent organizational, oral, and writing skills.
- Ability to anticipate and initiate appropriate action in support of the faculty co-Directors.
- Discretion and good judgment; must handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.
- Strong analytical abilities and experience in budget management.

Preferred:

- Advanced degree (i.e. Masters or PhD) in Business Management, Engineering, Computer Science or related field.
- Industry experience welcome.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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About Princeton University

Princeton University is a vibrant community of scholarship and learning that stands in the nation's service and in the service of all nations. Chartered in 1746, Princeton is the fourth-oldest college in the United States. Princeton is an independent, coeducational, nondenominational institution that provides undergraduate and graduate instruction in the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and engineering.As a world-renowned research university, Princeton seeks to achieve the highest levels of distinction in the discovery and transmission of knowledge and understanding. At the same time, Princeton is distinctive among research universities in its commitment to undergraduate teaching.Today, more than 1,100 faculty members instruct approximately 5,200 undergraduate students and 2,600 graduate students. The University's generous financial aid program ensures that talented students from all economic backgrounds can afford a Princeton education.

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