Program Director Jobs at Yale University with Visa Sponsorship
Program Director roles at Yale University sit at the intersection of academic administration and mission-driven leadership, covering everything from research initiatives to public health programs. Yale has a strong track record of sponsoring international talent in administrative and program leadership functions across its schools and departments.
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Salary Range
$105,000.00 - $174,000.00
Overview
The Democratic Innovations Program at Yale’s Institution for Social and Policy Studies (ISPS) seeks an Executive Director (ED) to lead Democratic Innovations’ operational management and to partner with the faculty Director, Professor Alan Gerber, in developing and implementing strategic initiatives.
Democratic Innovations was established in 2021 to identify and test innovative ideas for improving representation and government effectiveness. The Program advances this mission through sponsorship of faculty research, conferences, events, visitors, post-doctoral fellows in residence, teaching, and student projects and working groups. Democratic Innovations is launching a major new project, Political Design for Effective Government. This new project aims to understand, empirically and theoretically, the institutions, rules, and norms that promote honest, competent, and effective government. The project’s mission is to advance knowledge about political design and government problem-solving by sponsoring and conducting research, sharing key findings, supporting teaching and student engagement, and building datasets and research networks. The Political Design project aims to foster the development of a community of researchers and promote political design as a significant field of study. To further the mission of Democratic Innovations during this expansion, the Democratic Innovations Program seeks an Executive Director with a track-record of exceptional initiative and a strong desire to build an outstanding Program.
In addition to working with the Faculty Director on the Program’s strategic direction, the Executive Director would play a key role in setting and refining procedures and guidelines for Democratic Innovation’s operations and governance.
Under the direction of the Faculty Director, the ED would oversee the Program’s finances and budgets. The individual would play a central role in strategic financial planning, including long-term financial planning and resource allocation, for the program as a whole and specific initiatives.
The ED would, under the direction of the Faculty Director, lead efforts to develop the Program’s public profile, including developing the focus and funding of new initiatives, and including through the program’s communications strategy, faculty engagement, partnership development, grant proposal leadership, alumni engagement, and strategic outreach.
As the day-to-day supervisor of Democratic Innovations initiatives and activities, the Executive Director’s responsibilities will also include, but not be limited to:
- Administer Democratic Innovations’ initiatives and research programs
- Build and maintain the Program’s community of resident fellows, visitors, affiliated external fellows, and student fellows, including recruitment of new post-docs and other fellows.
- Oversee the Program’s scholarly publication strategy.
- Organize and supervise events, including developing and managing academic events, including speaker series, workshops, and conferences.
- Build relations with program alumni and work with ISPS staff on publishing a newsletter and managing the Program’s website content.
- Oversee institutional growth and finances, including developing budgets, preparing review monthly financials for the Director.
- Fundraise for the Program, including identifying grant opportunities.
This is a three-year fixed-term position with renewal contingent on performance and funding.
The Executive Director must begin the appointment in the summer of 2026 or earlier and will receive a competitive salary plus Yale University benefits.
Required Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated understanding of the subject matter, needs and constraints of social science research or university-based research, including data-intensive research and data management. This should include relevant knowledge of political science, economics, or other areas related to government, politics, and organizational design.
- Demonstrated operational management skills, including organizing complicated events, oversight and management of projects and programs, budget management, allocation of resources, supervision of organizational operations and development. Demonstrated ability to manage financial resources and balance budgets for projects, programs and larger entities, including budget planning experience and expertise.
- Demonstrated ability and understanding of social science research and its implications; ability to translate research findings for a general audience and into the policy sphere. Demonstrated written and oral communication skills; proven ability to articulate ideas in verbal and written communications.
- Demonstrated ability to engage constituents comfortably at all levels, such as students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, government and business leaders, advisory boards, and non-profit institutions. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to represent the Democratic Innovations Program in interactions with internal and external constituents.
- Demonstrated proficiency in working through organizational channels to manage fundraising efforts including but not limited to grant writing, donor relations, stewardship, partnering with development function, and external communications.
Preferred Skills and Abilities
Advanced degree, such as a Ph.D. in political science or economics, or another discipline related to the Program’s mission, is preferred but not required.
Principal Responsibilities
- Directs one or more functional areas within an administrative department of the University and ensure compliance with University policies and procedures.
- Directs analytic and research support for educational policies and planning and develops and approves administrative policies affecting assigned functional areas of the University.
- Directs and establishes parameters for major projects for the department and University.
- Interprets federal policies and regulations and educates staff and administration about regulations, restrictions, and the legal responsibilities of the University.
- Directs and implements policy and program modifications and develops standards to ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
- Develops and administers an operating budget for the assigned department consistent with University policies and procedures.
- Develops cost savings objectives and goals; authorizes major purchases and negotiates contracts that range from routine to complex in nature.
- Establishes and implements long- and short-range goals for the functional area consistent with University goals and objectives.
- Directs the development of related automated systems to support the function; determines office policies and procedures for use of automated systems.
- Directs the evaluation and selection of vendors and negotiates contract details including work steps and pricing with the vendors on behalf of the assigned functional area.
- Works with internal and external contacts to solve problems that range from routine to complex in nature.
- Represents the University in discussions and negotiations with various governmental agencies.
- Directs a staff of exempt and nonexempt employees.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in related field. Six years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Job Posting Date
01/13/2026
Job Category
Manager
Bargaining Unit
NON
Compensation Grade
Administration & Operations
Compensation Grade Profile
Leader (27)
Time Type
Full time
Duration Type
Staff Fixed Duration (Fixed Term)
Work Model
Hybrid
Location
77 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut
Background Check Requirements
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
Health Requirements
Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.
Posting Disclaimer
Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).
Note
Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.
Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community-eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!
Salary Range
$105,000.00 - $174,000.00
Overview
The Democratic Innovations Program at Yale’s Institution for Social and Policy Studies (ISPS) seeks an Executive Director (ED) to lead Democratic Innovations’ operational management and to partner with the faculty Director, Professor Alan Gerber, in developing and implementing strategic initiatives.
Democratic Innovations was established in 2021 to identify and test innovative ideas for improving representation and government effectiveness. The Program advances this mission through sponsorship of faculty research, conferences, events, visitors, post-doctoral fellows in residence, teaching, and student projects and working groups. Democratic Innovations is launching a major new project, Political Design for Effective Government. This new project aims to understand, empirically and theoretically, the institutions, rules, and norms that promote honest, competent, and effective government. The project’s mission is to advance knowledge about political design and government problem-solving by sponsoring and conducting research, sharing key findings, supporting teaching and student engagement, and building datasets and research networks. The Political Design project aims to foster the development of a community of researchers and promote political design as a significant field of study. To further the mission of Democratic Innovations during this expansion, the Democratic Innovations Program seeks an Executive Director with a track-record of exceptional initiative and a strong desire to build an outstanding Program.
In addition to working with the Faculty Director on the Program’s strategic direction, the Executive Director would play a key role in setting and refining procedures and guidelines for Democratic Innovation’s operations and governance.
Under the direction of the Faculty Director, the ED would oversee the Program’s finances and budgets. The individual would play a central role in strategic financial planning, including long-term financial planning and resource allocation, for the program as a whole and specific initiatives.
The ED would, under the direction of the Faculty Director, lead efforts to develop the Program’s public profile, including developing the focus and funding of new initiatives, and including through the program’s communications strategy, faculty engagement, partnership development, grant proposal leadership, alumni engagement, and strategic outreach.
As the day-to-day supervisor of Democratic Innovations initiatives and activities, the Executive Director’s responsibilities will also include, but not be limited to:
- Administer Democratic Innovations’ initiatives and research programs
- Build and maintain the Program’s community of resident fellows, visitors, affiliated external fellows, and student fellows, including recruitment of new post-docs and other fellows.
- Oversee the Program’s scholarly publication strategy.
- Organize and supervise events, including developing and managing academic events, including speaker series, workshops, and conferences.
- Build relations with program alumni and work with ISPS staff on publishing a newsletter and managing the Program’s website content.
- Oversee institutional growth and finances, including developing budgets, preparing review monthly financials for the Director.
- Fundraise for the Program, including identifying grant opportunities.
This is a three-year fixed-term position with renewal contingent on performance and funding.
The Executive Director must begin the appointment in the summer of 2026 or earlier and will receive a competitive salary plus Yale University benefits.
Required Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated understanding of the subject matter, needs and constraints of social science research or university-based research, including data-intensive research and data management. This should include relevant knowledge of political science, economics, or other areas related to government, politics, and organizational design.
- Demonstrated operational management skills, including organizing complicated events, oversight and management of projects and programs, budget management, allocation of resources, supervision of organizational operations and development. Demonstrated ability to manage financial resources and balance budgets for projects, programs and larger entities, including budget planning experience and expertise.
- Demonstrated ability and understanding of social science research and its implications; ability to translate research findings for a general audience and into the policy sphere. Demonstrated written and oral communication skills; proven ability to articulate ideas in verbal and written communications.
- Demonstrated ability to engage constituents comfortably at all levels, such as students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, government and business leaders, advisory boards, and non-profit institutions. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to represent the Democratic Innovations Program in interactions with internal and external constituents.
- Demonstrated proficiency in working through organizational channels to manage fundraising efforts including but not limited to grant writing, donor relations, stewardship, partnering with development function, and external communications.
Preferred Skills and Abilities
Advanced degree, such as a Ph.D. in political science or economics, or another discipline related to the Program’s mission, is preferred but not required.
Principal Responsibilities
- Directs one or more functional areas within an administrative department of the University and ensure compliance with University policies and procedures.
- Directs analytic and research support for educational policies and planning and develops and approves administrative policies affecting assigned functional areas of the University.
- Directs and establishes parameters for major projects for the department and University.
- Interprets federal policies and regulations and educates staff and administration about regulations, restrictions, and the legal responsibilities of the University.
- Directs and implements policy and program modifications and develops standards to ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations.
- Develops and administers an operating budget for the assigned department consistent with University policies and procedures.
- Develops cost savings objectives and goals; authorizes major purchases and negotiates contracts that range from routine to complex in nature.
- Establishes and implements long- and short-range goals for the functional area consistent with University goals and objectives.
- Directs the development of related automated systems to support the function; determines office policies and procedures for use of automated systems.
- Directs the evaluation and selection of vendors and negotiates contract details including work steps and pricing with the vendors on behalf of the assigned functional area.
- Works with internal and external contacts to solve problems that range from routine to complex in nature.
- Represents the University in discussions and negotiations with various governmental agencies.
- Directs a staff of exempt and nonexempt employees.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
Required Education and Experience
Bachelor’s Degree in related field. Six years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Job Posting Date
01/13/2026
Job Category
Manager
Bargaining Unit
NON
Compensation Grade
Administration & Operations
Compensation Grade Profile
Leader (27)
Time Type
Full time
Duration Type
Staff Fixed Duration (Fixed Term)
Work Model
Hybrid
Location
77 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut
Background Check Requirements
All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.
Health Requirements
Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.
Posting Disclaimer
Salary offers are determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role’s grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.
The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.
Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).
Note
Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.
See all 31+ Program Director at Yale University jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Program Director Jobs at Yale University Jobs
Frame your credentials around U.S. equivalency early
Yale's HR team evaluates non-U.S. degrees against domestic standards before initiating sponsorship. Get a credential evaluation from a NACES-approved agency before applying, so your qualifications are already translated when hiring managers review your file.
Target Yale's schools with active federal funding
Program Director roles tied to federally funded grants at Yale School of Public Health or Yale School of Medicine move faster through sponsorship approval. Roles connected to active NIH or CDC funding often have more flexibility on visa support than unfunded administrative positions.
Clarify sponsorship scope before the offer stage
Yale sponsors both H-1B and PERM-based Green Card pathways, but not every hiring department commits to both upfront. Ask during final-round interviews whether the role supports long-term permanent residency sponsorship, not just initial H-1B status, so there are no surprises post-offer.
Understand Yale's H-1B filing calendar
USCIS's H-1B cap lottery opens each April for October 1 start dates. If your offer comes after the lottery window closes, Yale may file a cap-exempt petition if the role is based at a qualifying educational institution, which most Yale positions are.
Align your application to Yale's functional program areas
Browse open Program Director postings on Migrate Mate to identify which Yale schools and initiatives are actively hiring internationally. Concentrating your outreach on departments with recent international hires signals where sponsorship infrastructure is already in place.
Prepare your I-94 and current status documentation before negotiating
Yale's international office needs to verify your current lawful status before drafting a sponsorship letter. Have your I-94 admission record, current visa stamp, and any prior EAD or OPT documentation organized so the process doesn't stall after you accept an offer.
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Find Program Director at Yale University JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Does Yale University sponsor H-1B visas for Program Directors?
Yes, Yale University sponsors H-1B visas for Program Director roles. Because Yale is an institution of higher education, it qualifies as a cap-exempt H-1B employer, meaning it can file petitions year-round without being subject to the annual USCIS lottery. This makes the timeline more predictable than at private-sector employers and allows hiring to happen outside the standard April registration window.
How do I apply for Program Director jobs at Yale University?
Applications go through Yale's official careers portal at yale.edu/jobs. Program Director postings typically require a cover letter, resume, and sometimes a diversity statement depending on the department. If you need visa sponsorship, indicate that clearly during the application process. You can also use Migrate Mate to filter and find Yale Program Director roles that are open to international candidates and visa sponsorship.
Which visa types does Yale University commonly use for Program Director roles?
H-1B is the most common pathway for Program Directors at Yale, supported by Yale's cap-exempt status as a university. TN visas are an option for Canadian and Mexican nationals in qualifying specialty occupations. For candidates already in the U.S. on F-1 OPT or CPT, Yale can support the transition to H-1B status. Longer-term, Yale also pursues PERM labor certification and EB-2 or EB-3 immigrant visa sponsorship for ongoing staff in program leadership roles.
What qualifications does Yale typically expect for Program Director positions?
Most Program Director roles at Yale require a master's degree or higher in a field directly related to the program area, such as public health, education policy, social work, or a relevant research discipline. Significant project or program management experience is expected, often five or more years. For sponsored roles, USCIS requires the position to qualify as a specialty occupation, meaning the degree requirement must be specific to the role, not a general preference.
How long does the H-1B sponsorship process take at Yale University?
Because Yale is cap-exempt, it can file H-1B petitions at any point in the year rather than waiting for the April lottery. Standard USCIS processing typically takes three to six months, but Yale's international office can request premium processing through USCIS for a faster decision, usually within 15 business days. Factor in time for Yale's internal approval process and the DOL Labor Condition Application, which adds two to four weeks before the petition is filed.
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