Senior Vice Chancellor and Executive Director

LSU seeks a scientist of international prominence to serve as its next Senior Vice Chancellor and Executive Director (SVCED) of Pennington Biomedical Research Center. The SVCED of Pennington Biomedical Research Center serves as the campus' chief executive, administrative, and strategic leader for one of the nation’s premier institutions in nutrition, obesity, and metabolic health research. Reporting to LSU Chancellor Jim Dalton and collaborating closely with the Senior Vice Chancellors in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Shreveport, the successful candidate will provide overall executive leadership to advance the Center’s scientific mission, strengthen its national and global impact, and support discoveries that improve health across the lifespan.

The SVCED oversees strategic planning, research operations, fiscal stewardship, philanthropy, and external partnerships, while fostering an environment that supports scientific excellence across basic, clinical, and population research programs. The role also champions initiatives that improve the health and well-being of Louisiana’s residents. This position requires a visionary leader with strong administrative experience, a commitment to innovative biomedical research, and the ability to represent LSU and the Center at the state, national, and international levels. This position requires a leader capable of managing a complex portfolio of federal, state, philanthropic, and commercial funding streams while maintaining personal scientific eminence.

The SVCED is the Center's chief administrative and scientific officer. They are responsible for the institution's strategic, financial, and operational functions.

The successful candidate will:

  • Provide strategic leadership to advance the Center’s mission in nutrition, obesity, and metabolic health research.
  • Lead organizational planning, goal setting, and long-term strategic initiatives.
  • Oversee all research operations across basic, clinical, and population science programs.
  • Recruit, mentor, and develop scientific and administrative leaders.
  • Foster new and enhanced graduate education and postdoctoral fellowship opportunities.
  • Build and expand programs supporting clinical trials and high-quality patient care.
  • Ensure strong fiscal management, including budget oversight and resource allocation.
  • Strengthen internal administrative systems to support scientific excellence and operational efficiency.
  • Oversee compliance with regulatory, ethical, and accreditation standards.
  • Promote a culture of innovation, collaboration, and diversity across the Center’s workforce.
  • Represent the Center within the LSU System and collaborate closely with university leadership.
  • Cultivate external partnerships with federal agencies, industry, foundations, and community stakeholders.
  • Drive philanthropic strategy and support fundraising efforts to expand research capacity.
  • Advocate for the Center at the state, national, and international levels to enhance visibility and impact.
  • Communicate research achievements to policymakers, donors, media, and the public.
  • Support programs that improve health outcomes for Louisiana residents and advance public health priorities.

POSITION PROFILE

 

Search Committee

  • Eric Ravussin, Douglas L. Gordon Chair in Diabetes and Metabolism and Boyd Professor, Pennington Biomedical Research Center — Committee Chair
  • Stefan Pasiakos, Professor and Director, Center for Human Performance Optimization, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
  • Ursula White, Associate Professor and Director, Adiposity, Lifestyle, and Metabolic Health Laboratory, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
  • Gus Kousoulas, Hannelore and Johannes Storz Professor in Pathobiological Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine
  • Cody Van Meter, Director, Clinical Trials Unit, Pennington Biomedical Research Center
  • Lucio Miele, Cancer Crusaders Professor of Genetics and Director, LSU–LCMC Health Cancer Center, LSU Health New Orleans
  • Oren Rom, Senior Associate Dean for Basic and Translational Research, LSU Health Shreveport
  • Paula de la Bretonne, President, Pennington Family Foundation
  • Charlie Lamar, Chair, Woodlawn Investments, Inc.; Chair, Pennington Biomedical Research Foundation
  • Katie O’Neal, Chief Academic Officer, Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System