Medical Director, Emory Autism Center

Job Description

Job Description

Our organization is in search of an innovative physician leader to take on the role of Medical Director, guiding the next stage of development for one of the Southeast's leading autism service and research facilities. This senior leadership position is intended for a physician at the Associate Professor or Professor level, who will be instrumental in shaping clinical strategies, enhancing integrated mental health services for individuals with autism throughout their lives, and establishing a nationally recognized multidisciplinary care model, particularly focusing on the underserved young adult demographic (ages 18-30).

The Medical Director will join our organization at a pivotal moment. With the backing of dedicated philanthropic startup funding, this leader will have the necessary resources and institutional support to recruit and cultivate a high-quality clinical team, create innovative service offerings, and elevate our organization to be among the top programs nationwide for integrated autism care.

About Our Organization

We operate as a standalone outpatient clinic and research center within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at a prominent medical school. Our interdisciplinary team comprises psychiatrists, psychologists, advanced practice nurses, board-certified behavior analysts, social workers, and educational specialists. We provide a range of programs that include diagnostic evaluations, medication management, inclusive early childhood education, adult services, and behavioral skill development, all rooted in a neurodiversity-affirming approach.

Our center acts as a regional hub for autism care, training, and research, maintaining active collaborations with healthcare systems and community organizations throughout the state.

• Offer strategic clinical leadership for psychiatric and medical services across the center's various programs, focusing on increasing access to integrated care for autistic adults and young adults.

• Develop and implement innovative mental health protocols.

• Recruit, mentor, and retain exceptional clinical talent, especially psychiatrists and advanced practice providers, in collaboration with the center's multidisciplinary leadership team.

• Enhance the center's training mission, which includes psychiatry residents, child and adolescent psychiatry fellows, psychology interns, postdoctoral fellows, and behavior analysts, by providing medical education leadership and mentorship within a broader interdisciplinary training framework.

• Contribute to the center's research initiatives through clinical investigations, outcomes measurement, and scholarly activities.

• Represent our organization at local and national levels, enhancing its visibility and reputation among peer institutions, funding bodies, and professional communities.

• Collaborate with center leadership on strategic planning, program development, and sustainability efforts.

Qualifications

Required:

• MD or DO with board certification in psychiatry; additional board certification in child and adolescent psychiatry is highly preferred.

• A minimum of 7 years of post-training clinical experience with proven expertise in autism and co-occurring mental health conditions.

• A demonstrated history of clinical leadership, program development, or administrative responsibilities in an academic or large clinical environment.

• Eligibility for appointment at the Associate Professor or Professor level at the medical school.

• An active Georgia medical license or eligibility for licensure.

Preferred:

• Experience in developing or directing multidisciplinary clinical programs for autistic individuals.

• A well-established research portfolio in autism, neurodevelopmental disorders, or related mental health fields.

• Experience with training program development, graduate medical education, or accreditation processes (e.g., APA, ACGME).

• Familiarity with integrated care models that connect psychiatric, behavioral, and psychosocial services.

We will also consider candidates with primary training in developmental pediatrics or related specialties who possess significant expertise in young adult mental health and clinical leadership.

What We Offer

• A senior leadership position with substantial autonomy and institutional support to create something unique.

• Dedicated philanthropic startup funding to assist with recruitment, program development, and transitioning to a sustainable operating model.

• A competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with rank and experience through the medical school.

• An established, collaborative interdisciplinary team and operational framework.

• Access to a robust research ecosystem, including collaborative opportunities across the medical school, public health school, and affiliated health systems.

• A clinical culture that affirms neurodiversity, centering the experiences and self-determination of autistic individuals.