The SMU Dedman School of Law is seeking a full-time Director to establish and operate its new Deason Family Criminal Justice Reform Center. This is a full-time position. The initial contract term is one year, renewable for additional one to three year terms. We are open to considering a tenure-track, tenured or lecturer position as part of this appointment.

QUALIFICATIONS:  JD or PhD in a related field is required. Candidates must have an excellent academic and administrative record and at least ten years of experience working on issues related to criminal justice reform. Such experience may be in academia, government, public policy, or other roles. Prior teaching experience and prior experience in running a legal or policy center are also preferred.  We are seeking a visionary leader with the desire to have a national impact on the critical and urgent conversations surrounding criminal justice reform. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:  The Center’s mission is to promote criminal justice reform and the fair, compassionate and ethical treatment of individuals at all stages of the criminal justice process.  It will accomplish this by facilitating expanded interdisciplinary collaboration, teaching and research among scholars, students, the judiciary, law enforcement, policy makers, prosecutors, and defense counsel. Involvement in the community and with relevant local, state, and national Bar groups will be beneficial in advancing the mission of the Center and will be encouraged. Candidates must possess excellent oral and written communication skills and should be willing to engage in external outreach and fundraising. 

The Center’s programs may include original research, conferences, symposia, and reasonable travel associated with Center research and programs. The Center expects to host or sponsor annual events with the goal of bringing together leading academics and policymakers from across the country to discuss critical problems and challenges that exist within the criminal justice system. This will expose Center-affiliated students to diverse viewpoints, providing an opportunity to strengthen and increase experiential learning through the Center.

Among other things, the Center Director will 1) engage in strategic planning and establish policies, protocols, and procedures to govern the operation of the Center, including the establishment of an Advisory Board, 2) direct the day to day operations of the Center, including its research and programming; 3) produce original research reports and papers for external and internal audiences; 4) administer the Center’s budget, 5) hire and supervise the Center’s staff and oversee Center-affiliated students as Center operations are established and grow, 6) create opportunities for students to benefit from the work of the Center, including developing new courses and research opportunities, as appropriate, 7) work closely with faculty, both at the SMU Dedman School of Law and across campus, to support and promote their research, and 8) ensure compliance with the requirements of any applicable endowment or grant agreements.

SALARY:  Paid monthly on a 12-month contract.  Full benefits; salary commensurate with experience.

APPLICATIONS:       Please send a cover letter and resume to:

Applications should be directed to the Faculty Appointments Committee, SMU Dedman School of Law, P.O. Box 750116, Dallas, TX 75275-0116, or emailed to bettya@smu.edu.   Reference Position No. 00053776.

To ensure full consideration for the position, the application must be postmarked by July 1, 2016, but the committee will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. 

SMU will not discriminate in any employment practice, education program, or educational activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. SMU's commitment to equal opportunity includes nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The Associate Vice President, Office of Institutional Access and Equity, has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies. Hiring is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.