Executive Director, Report Review Committee

Job Description Summary:

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is seeking an Executive Director for the Report Review Committee (RRC). This is an excellent opportunity to work at one of the Nation's premier science institutions, known for its independence, integrity, and objectivity. The Report Review Committee (RRC), composed of NAS, NAE, and NAM members, oversees the institutional report review process. Every report prepared by a National Research Council committee is reviewed by a group other than its authors. This independent review distinguishes the National Research Council (NRC) from many other organizations offering scientific and technical advice on important national issues. The purpose of review is to assist the authoring committee in making its report as accurate and effective as possible and to ensure that the committee and the National Academies are creditably represented by the report published in their names.

The Executive Director oversees the review of all NRC project reports and reports to the Chief Program Officer (CP0). The selected candidate determines the type of review required and informs the RRC co-chairs of any major developments in the review of reports. The Executive Director successfully executes review projects, policies, and procedures. The incumbent supports the National Academies' Executive Office in institutional management and policymaking and establishes long-term strategic direction and policies regarding the report review function for the organization, and department.

Job Description:

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Responsible for leading and directing the organization's report review function. Oversees the review of selected reports and supervises RRC staff engaged in overseeing other reports with monitored reviews. Alerts CPO of serious problems arising in the review of reports. 

• Guides and manages the institutional review process for NRC reports. Decides type of review, who to involve, etc. Examines reports rapidly and critically in a broad spectrum of scientific and technical disciplines, with sensitivity to public policy issues. Provides expert assistance to RRC members and other review monitors who are appointed to oversee the process and judges the adequacy of the authors' responses to reviewers' reports. 

• Consults with RRC co-chairs and CPO regarding review policies and procedures. Informs them of all developments in the review of important reports. Drafts annual reports, papers, and other documents pertaining to institutional review policies and procedures for the RRC co-chairs. 

• Develops and implements strategies for engaging members of the three Academies as report reviewers, and for increasing the diversity of reviewer slates. 

• Supports the National Academies’ Executive Office in institutional management and policy-making, as directed by the Chief Program Officer. Applies insights from report review to inform policies for other aspects of the NRC study process, such as prospectus development and approval, committee appointment, and project management. Oversees the analysis of data regarding the volume and composition of the NRC report portfolio to inform institutional decision-making. 

• Supports the National Academies’ mission and strategic goals by serving as an active member of the program leadership and senior management teams. Develops priorities and objectives for unit activities, establishes and implements short- and long-range departmental goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures, and monitors and evaluates effectiveness. 

• Collaborates with division report review managers/directors and executive directors. Conducts staff training sessions and answers questions about review policies and practices. 

• Consults section liaisons regarding suggestions for report reviewers and provides feedback on the outcome of their suggestions. 

• May oversee Institutional Review Board. 

• May represent the organization in outside discussions and technical forums. 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS  

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Excellent communication, coaching and conflict resolution skills. Understanding of the National Academies' mission, strategic plan, and culture. Excellent communication and conflict resolution skills. Ability to solve problems of substantial complexity and variety using ingenuity and originality. Ability to serve as a resource to others in the resolution of complex problems. Ability to operate using substantial latitude for independent judgment and action. Ability to work successfully in a team environment and to form and maintain effective teams. Experience working in complex environments with a high degree of organizational effectiveness. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skil