Job description
Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences
THE OPPORTUNITY
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education (Begun Center). Reporting directly to the Dean of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences (Mandel School), the Director will provide strategic, scientific, and administrative leadership for one of the nation’s most respected university-based centers dedicated to applied research, program evaluation, implementation science, and technical assistance addressing violence prevention, behavioral health, substance use, criminal and juvenile justice, and community well-being.
The Begun Center occupies a distinctive role within both the Mandel School and Case Western Reserve University. Through interdisciplinary scholarship, meaningful community partnerships, and a commitment to translating research into practice, the Center has developed an international reputation for producing research that informs public policy and strengthens human service systems. Its work reflects the Mandel School’s longstanding commitment to advancing social justice through research, education, and engagement.
The next Director will join the Begun Center during a period of exceptional strength and opportunity. The Center has experienced sustained growth in sponsored research, expanded its partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies, and broadened its impact through research, evaluation, technical assistance, workforce development, and implementation support. Today, the Center includes a diverse community of faculty, research scientists, project directors, postdoctoral scholars, students, and professional staff working collaboratively across numerous externally funded initiatives.
The Director will be responsible for advancing the Center’s mission while sustaining the collaborative culture that has contributed to its success. Working closely with the Dean, Mandel School faculty, university leadership, and external partners, the Director will identify emerging opportunities for research, cultivate interdisciplinary collaborations, support faculty and staff development, and strengthen the Center’s national visibility and impact.
The successful candidate will be an accomplished scholar and experienced research leader with a demonstrated record of securing external funding, leading complex research initiatives, and building productive partnerships across academic, governmental, philanthropic, and community organizations. The successful candidate will meet the criteria for a tenured appointment as an Associate Professor or Professor in the Mandel School, commensurate with qualifications and experience.
THE BEGUN CENTER FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
Established in 1994 through the generosity of the Begun family, the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education has grown into one of the largest and most comprehensive university-based applied research centers focused on violence prevention, behavioral health, substance use, criminal justice, implementation science, and community-based research. As an integral part of the Mandel School since 2000, the Center advances the School’s mission by conducting rigorous research, evaluating innovative programs, supporting evidence-informed practice, and partnering with organizations and agencies to improve outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.
The Center’s work is distinguished by its commitment to bridging research and practice. Faculty and research staff collaborate with federal agencies, state and local governments, healthcare systems, school districts, courts, law enforcement agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to address complex social challenges through interdisciplinary research and evaluation. This approach enables the Center not only to generate new knowledge but also to translate research findings into practical strategies that strengthen systems of care, improve public policy, and inform decision-making.
Today, the Center manages a robust annual portfolio (up to $13M) of externally sponsored research and service activities supported by federal agencies, the State of Ohio, local governments, foundations, and nonprofit organizations. More than seventy faculty, research scientists, postdoctoral scholars, professional staff, and students contribute to projects that collectively represent one of the largest sponsored research enterprises within the Mandel School.
Beyond its research portfolio, the Begun Center serves as an important intellectual resource for the University and the broader community. Faculty and staff publish extensively in leading scholarly journals, present their work nationally and internationally, contribute to public policy discussions, and provide technical assistance to organizations throughout Ohio and across the United States. Graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are actively engaged in research projects that prepare the next generation of scholars and practitioners while advancing the Center’s mission of improving lives through research and innovation.
The Begun Center’s continued success is rooted in a culture of collaboration, intellectual curiosity, methodological rigor, and public engagement. The next Director will build upon this strong foundation while identifying new opportunities to expand the Center’s research enterprise, strengthen interdisciplinary partnerships, and enhance its impact locally, nationally, and internationally.
THE JACK, JOSEPH AND MORTON MANDEL SCHOOL OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences has been recognized for more than a century as one of the nation’s leading schools of social work and social welfare. Founded in 1915 as the Cleveland School of Applied Social Sciences, the School became part of Case Western Reserve University in 1967 and has established an enduring reputation for excellence in research, graduate education, and community engagement.
The Mandel School prepares leaders committed to advancing social justice and improving the well-being of individuals, families, organizations, and communities. Through innovative teaching, interdisciplinary collaboration, and impactful scholarship, the School equips graduates to address some of society’s most pressing challenges while advancing knowledge that informs policy and practice.
The School offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Social Work, the Master of Nonprofit Organizations, the Doctor of Philosophy in Social Welfare, and dual-degree and certificate opportunities in collaboration with other schools across the University. Consistently ranked among the nation’s leading schools of social work, the Mandel School is distinguished by its emphasis on research excellence, evidence-informed practice, and close partnerships with community organizations throughout Cleveland and beyond.
Research is central to the School’s mission. Faculty members conduct nationally recognized scholarship across a broad spectrum of disciplines, while research centers—including the Begun Center—extend the School’s impact through externally funded research, program evaluation, implementation science, and community-engaged scholarship.
CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1826, Case Western Reserve University is among the nation’s leading private research universities. Located in Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood, one of the country’s most concentrated centers of education, healthcare, arts, and culture, the University is recognized for the strength of its interdisciplinary scholarship, commitment to innovation, and longstanding partnerships with the surrounding community.
Case Western Reserve enrolls approximately 12,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The University comprises the College of Arts and Sciences, the Case School of Engineering, the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, the School of Dental Medicine, the School of Graduate Studies, the School of Law, the Weatherhead School of Management, the School of Medicine, and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences.
Research is central to the University’s mission. As a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), Case Western Reserve consistently ranks among the nation’s leading research institutions and is recognized for its collaborative approach to addressing complex societal challenges. Faculty and students engage in interdisciplinary research spanning engineering, medicine, nursing, management, law, social sciences, and the humanities, creating an environment that encourages innovation and discovery across traditional academic boundaries.
The University’s location within University Circle provides exceptional opportunities for collaboration with nationally recognized healthcare systems, cultural institutions, research organizations, and community partners. Longstanding relationships with organizations such as University Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth, the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, and numerous nonprofit and governmental agencies create a rich ecosystem for research, education, and community engagement.
Case Western Reserve is committed to preparing leaders who improve the human condition through education, research, and service. The University’s strategic priorities emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, research excellence, inclusive excellence, and meaningful partnerships that generate lasting impact within Cleveland and throughout the world.
THE POSITION
Reporting to the Dean of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, the Director serves as the chief executive and academic leader of the Begun Center for Violence Prevention Research and Education. The Director is responsible for providing strategic vision and administrative leadership for the Center’s research, evaluation, implementation science, technical assistance, and workforce development activities while advancing its mission of improving policy, practice, and community outcomes through rigorous, applied research.
The Director will work collaboratively with the Dean, Mandel School faculty and staff, University leadership, and external partners to sustain and enhance the Center’s position as a leading interdisciplinary research enterprise. The Director will foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, scholarly excellence, and public engagement while ensuring that the Center continues to respond effectively to emerging societal challenges and evolving funding opportunities.
As the Center’s principal academic and administrative leader, the Director will oversee a complex portfolio of externally sponsored research and service activities. Responsibilities include establishing strategic priorities; supporting the development of competitive grant proposals; providing oversight of financial, operational, and personnel resources; ensuring compliance with University and sponsor requirements; and promoting effective stewardship of the Center’s resources.
The Director will recruit, mentor, support, and retain an outstanding community of faculty, research scientists, project directors, professional staff, postdoctoral scholars, and students. The successful candidate will cultivate an environment that values collaboration across disciplines, encourages innovation, and supports professional development at every career stage.
An accomplished scholar, the Director will maintain an active program of externally funded research while creating opportunities for faculty and research staff to expand their own scholarly and professional contributions. The Director will encourage interdisciplinary collaboration within the Mandel School and across Case Western Reserve University, recognizing that many of today’s most significant societal challenges require expertise from multiple disciplines and sectors.
The Director will serve as the Center’s primary representative to governmental agencies, foundations, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, and other external partners. Building upon the Center’s longstanding reputation for research excellence and community engagement, the Director will strengthen existing relationships while cultivating new partnerships that advance the Center’s mission and expand opportunities for collaboration.
In partnership with the Dean and Mandel School leadership, the Director will contribute to the School’s broader strategic priorities while ensuring that the Begun Center remains an integral component of the School’s research enterprise. The Director will work collaboratively with faculty and administrators across the University to identify new opportunities for interdisciplinary research, student engagement, and community impact.
The successful candidate will meet the criteria for a tenured appointment as an Associate Professor or Professor in the Mandel School, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Consistent with the expectations of a leading research university, the Director will maintain an active program of scholarship and contribute to the intellectual life of the School through research, mentoring, teaching, and service as appropriate.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE NEXT DIRECTOR
The next Director will assume leadership of the Begun Center at an exciting time in its history. Building upon a strong foundation of research excellence, sustained external funding, and longstanding community partnerships, the Director will have the opportunity to shape the Center’s future while advancing the Mandel School’s mission of creating positive social change through research, education, and engagement.
Advance the Center’s Strategic Vision
Working closely with the Dean, faculty, staff, and external partners, the Director will articulate and implement a strategic vision that builds upon the Center’s considerable strengths while positioning it to address emerging opportunities in research, training, evaluation, implementation science, and technical assistance. The Director will ensure that the Center remains responsive to evolving societal needs while maintaining its commitment to rigorous, community-engaged scholarship.
Sustain and Expand the Research Enterprise
The Begun Center has established a substantial portfolio of externally sponsored research and service activities. The next Director will build upon this momentum by identifying new funding opportunities, supporting interdisciplinary proposal development, strengthening existing sponsor relationships, and expanding collaborations across the University and with external partners. Particular attention will be given to maintaining a diverse portfolio of federal, state, foundation, and community-supported initiatives.
Strengthen Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The Director will foster collaboration across the Mandel School and throughout Case Western Reserve University. By building relationships with faculty in medicine, nursing, engineering, law, management, arts and sciences, and other disciplines, the Director will create new opportunities for interdisciplinary scholarship that addresses complex social and public health challenges while enhancing the University’s overall research enterprise.
Foster Excellence in Research and Scholarship
The Begun Center has earned a national reputation for producing rigorous, policy-relevant research that informs practice across behavioral health, violence prevention, criminal and juvenile justice, implementation science, and related fields. The next Director will build upon this tradition by supporting an environment in which faculty, research scientists, postdoctoral scholars, and students are able to pursue innovative, interdisciplinary scholarship that advances knowledge while addressing pressing societal challenges.
The Director will encourage methodological rigor, scientific integrity, and innovation across the Center’s research portfolio while supporting the dissemination of research through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, technical reports, and community partnerships. Equally important, the Director will continue the Center’s longstanding commitment to translating research into practical applications that improve programs, policies, and systems serving children, families, and communities.
Support Faculty, Staff, and Student Success
The Begun Center’s success has been built upon the expertise, creativity, and dedication of its faculty and professional staff. The Director will cultivate a collaborative and inclusive organizational culture that supports recruitment, professional development, mentoring, and retention across all levels of the Center.
Working in partnership with Mandel School leadership, the Director will create opportunities for faculty and research staff to pursue new research initiatives, develop leadership capacity, and engage in interdisciplinary collaborations. The Director will also support postdoctoral scholars, research associates, graduate assistants, and students through meaningful research experiences that contribute to their professional development and prepare the next generation of scholars and practitioners.
Deepen Community and Government Partnerships
A defining characteristic of the Begun Center is its longstanding partnership with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, educational institutions, and community organizations. These relationships have enabled the Center to conduct research that is responsive to community needs while informing public policy and improving practice.
The Director will strengthen these partnerships while identifying new opportunities to collaborate with federal, state, and local agencies, philanthropic organizations, and community stakeholders. Through thoughtful engagement and responsive leadership, the Director will ensure that the Center remains a trusted partner capable of addressing emerging challenges through research, training, evaluation, technical assistance, and implementation support.
Enhance National Visibility and Impact
The Begun Center is well positioned to further expand its national visibility and influence. The Director will represent the Center within the University, throughout the profession, and among governmental, philanthropic, and community partners while promoting the accomplishments of its faculty, staff, and students.
The successful candidate will encourage broad dissemination of the Center’s work through scholarly publications, national conferences, policy initiatives, technical assistance, and public engagement. By strengthening the Center’s visibility and reputation, the Director will help position the Begun Center to attract outstanding faculty, research staff, students, and external funding opportunities in the years ahead.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
Case Western Reserve University seeks a collaborative and accomplished leader who possesses the intellectual vision, administrative experience, strong leadership, and interpersonal skills necessary to lead a complex and growing interdisciplinary research enterprise.
The successful candidate will possess an earned doctorate in a related field, along with a record of scholarly accomplishment that meets the criteria for a tenured appointment as an Associate Professor or Professor at Case Western Reserve University.
The Director will demonstrate a distinguished record of externally funded research and experience leading large, complex research initiatives involving multiple investigators, sponsors, and community partners. Experience managing substantial sponsored research portfolios, supervising interdisciplinary research teams, and developing successful collaborations with governmental agencies, foundations, healthcare organizations, and nonprofit partners will be essential.
The successful candidate will possess demonstrated administrative and organizational leadership experience, including strategic planning, financial stewardship, personnel management, and organizational development. The ability to balance long-term strategic priorities with the day-to-day management of a dynamic research enterprise will be critical.
The next Director will be an accomplished leader and relationship builder who values collaboration and shared governance. The successful candidate will communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, University leaders, funding agencies, policymakers, and community partners while fostering an environment characterized by mutual respect, transparency, and collegiality.
The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and recognize the importance of integrating research, education, and community engagement to address complex social challenges. An appreciation for the Mandel School’s mission and values—including social justice, community partnership, and evidence-informed practice—will be fundamental to the Director’s success.
Personal characteristics and leadership attributes sought in the next Director include:
- A clear commitment to academic excellence and research integrity.
- Strategic vision coupled with sound administrative judgment.
- Collaborative and inclusive leadership.
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
- A demonstrated ability to mentor and develop faculty, research staff, and emerging scholars.
- Entrepreneurial thinking in identifying new research and funding opportunities.
- The highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and ethical leadership.
How to apply
Case Western Reserve University invites letters of nomination and applications (letter of interest, full resume/CV, and contact information of at least five references) to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications are submitted before August 25, 2026. Please submit electronic applications directly to Parker Executive Search. For additional information, please contact:
Porsha Williams, Vice President and Managing Director, Higher Education
Julia Butler-Mayes, Ph.D., Associate
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 | Atlanta, GA 30328
(678) 775-4564
[email protected] || [email protected]
Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.
Case Western Reserve University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities Applications requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the CWRU Office of Equity at 216.368.3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.
