VP of Leadership Programs

The Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) is a non-partisan, non-profit dedicated to equipping the next generation of Americans with the skills to communicate and collaborate across lines of difference. We work with U.S. colleges and universities by providing co-curricular programming for students, professional development for faculty and staff, and strategic guidance to leadership. Our goal is to foster constructive dialogue at every level of the institution and to create the conditions for lasting organizational change. CDI was co-founded by psychologist Jonathan Haidt, the bestselling author of The Righteous Mind and The Anxious Generation.

The VP of Leadership Programs will define the strategy, design, and long-term direction of CDI's leadership programs — a portfolio of executive initiatives that equip presidents and senior university leaders to drive culture change on their campuses — building environments that support constructive dialogue, open inquiry, and free expression

The current centerpiece of this portfolio is the Leadership Institute, a year-long cohort program for senior leadership teams that combines an in-person summit with ongoing coaching and collaborative learning. In 2026, CDI will run two cohorts; the expectation is continued growth in cohort volume and program scope over time.

The VP will own the full lifecycle of CDI's executive programs, from recruitment and design through delivery and impact, and will play a central role in expanding CDI's reach with senior institutional leaders.

Executive Programs Leadership

• Lead CDI’s portfolio of executive programs, including the Leadership Institute, professional learning communities, and leadership coaching engagements.

• Oversee program planning, design, and continuous improvement across the executive programs portfolio.

• Facilitate and deliver CDI's two-day Leadership Institute, creating an immersive and engaging learning experience that equips college executive leaders with practical strategies, peer connections, and actionable frameworks for leading institutional change.

• Define the strategic direction of CDI's executive programming, driving continuous evolution based on partner outcomes and field needs.

• In collaboration with other CDI teams, develop curricula, frameworks, and tools that translate CDI’s research and institutional experience into practical strategies for campus leaders.

• Ensure consistent program quality and participant experience across CDI’s executive programs.

• As the Leadership Programs portfolio grows, lead and develop a team to support program design, delivery, and partner engagement.

Program Growth & Business Development

• Own recruitment strategy for CDI's leadership programs, including collaborating with the Partnerships team to identify prospective campuses, leading recruitment meetings, and closing partnerships.

• In collaboration with the Growth team, develop and maintain recruitment materials, including pitch decks and one-pagers.

External Presence & Field Leadership

• Represent CDI at the highest levels — including conferences, leadership forums, media engagements, and high-stakes institutional partnerships.

• Serve as a thought leader on leadership development and culture change in higher education, contributing to CDI's public profile and credibility in the field.

• Identify and cultivate strategic external partnerships that expand CDI's reach and institutional influence.

• Experience: 

  • 12-15 years of relevant experience in organizational change, higher education strategy, or a related field

  • Experience working with senior leadership teams in higher education

  • Advanced degree required (PhD, EdD, MBA, MPP, or related)

• Stakeholder Management: Experience leading complex programs that engage senior leaders to drive organizational change.

• Executive Presence: Extensive experience working directly with presidents, provosts, and other senior institutional leaders and facilitating high-level discussions.

• Institutional Strategy: Ability to navigate complex organizations and help leaders translate ideas into implementation.

• Team Leadership: Experience building and leading teams; ability to operate effectively as a senior individual contributor while the function scales.

• Higher Ed Experience: Familiarity with the political and institutional challenges facing higher education.

• Program Design and Facilitation: Experience designing leadership development, executive programs, or organizational change initiatives.

• Compensation — $180,000 - $200,000 

• A Mission-Driven Culture — we practice what we preach, so our work culture is characterized by intellectual humility, continuous improvement, and open-mindedness.

• Remote-First — CDI was founded as a remote-first organization, and we work hard to maintain a strong team culture across vast distances.

• Unlimited PTO — as well as 13 company holidays.

• Remote Work Support — up to $500 reimbursed for home office equipment (like desks, chairs, or webcams) and up to $50/month reimbursed for home internet or cell phone expenses.

• Other Benefits — employer-supported health, vision and dental plans, subsidized parental leave, 3% 401k match, short- and long-term disability insurance, life and AD&D insurance, $1,000 annual professional development budget.

• Reports to: Chief Culture Change Officer

• Schedule: Full-time, flexible within U.S. time zones

• Target start date: ASAP

• Anticipated Travel: Approximately 6 times per year

• Location: Remote, must be based in the U.S.