Position Title: Director of the Psychedelic Therapies and Research Certificate Program - California Institute of Integral Studies

Location: San Francisco, CA Category: Staff Positions Job Type: Exempt Posted On: Wed May 6 2026 Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of the Psychedelic Therapies and Research Certificate Program (CPTR) has a multidimensional role; they are responsible for administration of the communication, educational, and technological needs of the Center and for oversight of the operation of the certificate program. The Director is responsible for overseeing all details of database management of the program, budget reports and meetings, approvals of expenses, maintaining highest academic standards in the training curriculum, supervising admissions, the Trainee Support Committee, and scheduling teachers.

Applications are open immediately for a full-time, dynamic and experienced educational, academic leader. The ideal candidate will possess an earned MD/PhD/PsyD/NP or MBA and have keen understanding of the landscape of psychedelic research in the US and internationally. They will have a demonstrated record as a consensus builder, academic or business entrepreneur, energetic leader, meticulous management skills, and student-centered teacher and administrator. The Center is the first of its kind in offering certificate training for licensed medical and mental health clinicians and adjacent professionals to become therapists, facilitators, and researchers in the field of psychedelic medicines. The vision of the Center is to expand programming in collaboration with research organizations and other universities in order to meet the need of thousands of training therapists ready to provide services after psilocybin and MDMA are rescheduled by the FDA.

Duties include, but are not limited to: managing the full scope of the 12-month long certificate training program of 200+ students: scheduling of teachers, developing curricular initiatives, some teaching in the program, overseeing maintenance of the CPTR website content, creating the certificate program and student evaluations, newsletters, supervising the clinical mentors, certificate staff, and the volunteer programs, acting as a liaison between staff and faculty. The Director will also manage the maintenance of key departmental documents, organizing weekend classes, maintaining contracts with our affiliated Oregon service centers, and performing additional duties as requested. These roles require advanced business experience and knowledge of psychedelic-assisted therapies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Academic and/or business achievement in teaching, program development, and service.
• Directing the assessment and planning of training outcomes with researchers and scholars.
• Assist in implementing a strategic plan for the Center.
• Sensitivity to the needs and goals of diverse members of the Center's community.
• Directing the precise and thorough oversight of all aspects of the Center curriculum, mentoring, training, and student completion.
• Advancing hybrid and on-line education at the post-graduate level.
• Assisting in raising funds for Center programs and building alliances with external organizations.
• Maintenance of the rigorous curriculum and leadership in Center initiatives for quality psychedelic training programming.
• Directing the development and delivery of the three hybrid cohort weekend trainings and 5 online Saturdays for 200+ students.
• Collaborating with teachers and staff to ensure academic excellence, a climate of collegiality, a student-centered learning environment, and advancement of the Center's mission, ideals, and strategic plan.
• Developing connections across the US and international research organizations, scholars, practitioners, and within CIIS.
• Detailed and constant monitoring academic standards, including quality of teaching, class size, student and mentor evaluation and assessment, written projects, independent study, and field placement.
• Supervise the work of the Center Manager and Center's staff members and contractors.
• Oversee the maintenance of the following official documents: CPTR course lists, course descriptions, and continuing education CEs and CMEs.
• Direct professional clinical mentors, teachers, and classroom support personnel.
• Liaison between CPTR and other Departments, e.g., Operations, Dean of Students, Admissions, Communications and Marketing, Finance Office, Financial Aid.

Job Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of eight years of a combination of teaching and administrative experience in a university's academic department or educational or social service setting, preferably at the graduate or post-graduate levels in mental health or the social sciences. A PhD/PsyD/MD (clinical strongly preferred), MBA, or equivalence of experience and education.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Understanding of the clinical graduate and post-graduate academic environment.
• Familiarity with the history and current scope of psychedelic research and therapy.
• Advanced organizational and interpersonal skills to maintain an efficient and effectively high standard program.
• Management skills: excellent oral and written communication, meticulous skill in all aspects of overseeing details of project management, business development leadership, word processing and Google and MS suite expertise, and a kind sense of humor.
• Ability to interact with students, faculty, staff, and the outside community with diplomacy.
• Ability to operate under pressure and assign priority to work needs coming from a number of co-existing business development, clinical, and educational initiatives.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

Occasional work performed alone with ability to work remotely from time-to-time. Collaboration and constant work around and with other people.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

This position requires attention to detail, good memory, ability to work under deadline pressure, sitting and standing for long periods of time, oral and written communication, keyboarding for significant portions of the workday, pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, reaching, patience, and tact to perform the essential functions.

LOCATION

HYBRID

Additional Information:

WAGES AND BENEFITS

$100,000 - $115,000

NOTES TO CANDIDATE

• Working Conditions Duties are primarily performed in an office environment at a desk or computer terminal, typically Monday through Friday with some weekends required for classes.
• Background Check Due to the sensitivity and requirements of this position, you should expect to undergo and be cleared of an employment background/criminal check, if extended an offer for employment. You may also be asked to provide proof of educational degree(s), licenses, or credentials pertinent to the position. If your job requires driving on behalf of CIIS you will be required to provide proof of a valid driver's license.
• Visa Sponsorship Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
• Relocation Assistance This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY

At the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS), we are dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging, guided by our Seven Commitments. We value the diverse experiences, perspectives, and identities within our community and strive to create and maintain environments that are inclusive, equitable, accessible, and welcoming for all.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer we are committed to providing an open, fair, and non-discriminatory environment for all individuals, in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws. This commitment extends to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotion, compensation, benefits, training, and other terms and conditions of employment.

CIIS actively seeks to recruit and retain individuals who bring a broad range of cultural backgrounds, languages, and life experiences that enhance our institutional mission and values.