Co-Director for Center Human Development

The University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) Center for Human Development (CHD) is seeking an experienced and collaborative leader to serve as Co-Director. This position provides senior-level leadership for CHD operations, programs, staff, budgets, grants, contracts, and community partnerships while advancing the Center’s mission to improve the lives of Alaskans with disabilities. The Co-Director will work closely with the CHD Co-Director and leadership team to guide strategic planning, ensure compliance, develop funding opportunities, and represent CHD with university, government, community, and professional partners.

The Center for Human Development (CHD) at the University of Alaska Anchorage is Alaska’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities in Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD). As Alaska’s only UCEDD, CHD serves communities throughout the state through interdisciplinary education, community training and technical assistance, research, and information dissemination. CHD’s work supports greater independence, productivity, community integration, and inclusion for individuals with disabilities across the lifespan and addresses a broad range of disability-related issues.

As Co-Director, you will provide senior leadership for CHD in partnership with the other Co-Director, with primary oversight of Community Services, ECHO, LEND, and Training. You will help establish policies and procedures, develop and support strategic and annual work plans, and ensure the Center’s programs and operations align with its mission and university priorities.

This position also provides broad administrative and fiscal leadership, including managing a multi-million-dollar departmental budget, overseeing contracts and state reimbursable service agreements, identifying funding opportunities, supporting grant development and reporting, and ensuring compliance with applicable university, state, and federal requirements. The Co-Director supervises managers and assigned support staff, supports the development and performance of CHD employees, and works collaboratively with internal and external partners to advance the Center’s work.

The successful candidate will also represent CHD with external agencies, professional organizations, advisory committees, policymakers, and community partners and may serve as Principal Investigator on selected projects.

To thrive in this position, you will bring substantial professional experience in the field of disabilities along with experience managing research projects and leading people and programs. You will be an effective strategic thinker who can balance competing priorities, navigate complex organizational environments, and build productive relationships across university, government, community, and professional settings.

You will be comfortable managing budgets and funding, developing partnerships, interpreting program data, and identifying opportunities to strengthen and expand programs through grants and other funding sources. Strong communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills will be essential, as will the ability to make thoughtful decisions, motivate employees, and maintain a positive environment built on collaboration, transparency, and open communication.

The ideal candidate will also bring experience with budgeting, planning and forecasting; grant writing and contract administration; and developing and maintaining community partnerships. Adaptability, systems thinking, and a commitment to advancing effective disability services will help you succeed in this role.

Master’s degree in psychology, public health, social work, health administration, vocational rehabilitation administration, or relevant field and five years progressively responsible experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

This position is located on the University of Alaska campus in Anchorage, and flexible on-site/hybrid work arrangements may be considered in accordance with UA regulations. There is an expectation that this position works in the office a minimum of three days per week. This is a…