Position: Director of Administrator Engagement
The Academic Engagement Network (AEN) is seeking a Director of Administrator Engagement. This is a full-time position reporting to AEN’s Executive Director.
About AEN
The Academic Engagement Network (AEN) builds and mobilizes networks of university faculty and administrators to counter antisemitism, oppose the denigration of Jewish and Zionist identity, promote academic freedom, and advance education about Israel. Founded in 2015, AEN works on over 325 university and college campuses across the United States. More information about the organization can be found here: https://academicengagement.org/.
About AEN’s Work with University Administrators and Staff
Since 2020, AEN has been educating and preparing campus administrators and staff to take action in support of the Jewish and Zionist community and facilitating collaborative relationships between faculty and university officials to address immediate crises as well as long-term and systemic challenges that negatively impact Jewish inclusion.
AEN leverages its extensive network of faculty experts to provide a wide range of professional development opportunities for university and college administrators and staff. To date, its programs have engaged more than 4,000 administrators and staff from over 200 campuses nationwide.
AEN’s administrator-focused programs are well-established and highly respected and have gained national recognition and credibility among university and college administrators. AEN’s offerings include a suite of trainings and workshops, a yearlong professional development series, one-on-one consultations, a national webinar series, and a multi-year capacity-building grant program.
Position Overview and Responsibilities
The Director of Administrator Engagement is a full-time position. AEN operates as a remote-work leadership team and welcomes applicants from across the U.S. There is an expectation of supported travel to U.S. campuses, professional associations, AEN-sponsored events and meetings around the country, and an annual trip to Israel.
The Director is responsible for developing and implementing programs for campus administrators and staff that raise levels of awareness, education, and competencies about contemporary antisemitism and provide knowledge, skills, and tools to improve the campus climate for Jewish and Zionist students, faculty, and staff.
Drawing on the experiences and perspectives of AEN faculty members, the Director will identify and connect with university administrators and senior staff members in Student Affairs, Student Life, Multicultural Affairs, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, and other related offices in order to advance antisemitism awareness education and professional development and training programs on campuses nationwide as well as in relevant professional associations. In so doing, the Director will cultivate, expand, and steward a national network of administrators who participate in AEN programming in order to ensure that their offices meet their stated policies and commitments to guaranteeing a welcoming and inclusive campus environment which upholds the rights of all students, including Jewish and Zionist students, to participate fully in campus life.
As an active member of AEN’s collaborative leadership team, the Director will:
- Identify, develop, and successfully execute AEN’s programs, activities, and events for administrators, as outlined in AEN’s Strategic Plan.
- Interact and communicate frequently with AEN’s diverse and growing alumni network of administrators and develop and implement effective strategies and procedures for connecting administrators to one another and to AEN faculty members on their campuses.
- Assess and effectively evaluate goals and activities related to administrator engagement.
- Work with partner organizations to identify, develop, and successfully execute activities, events, programs, and projects that engage campus administrators and staff.
- Track the work and activities of administrators and staff who participate in AEN programming, and manage, evaluate, and assess a variety of quantitative and qualitative data related to administrator engagement on campus.
- Contribute to the development and use of efficient processes, effective management practices, and clear communications across the organization to ensure that day-to-day operations are performed with the highest levels of accountability, productivity, consistency, and integrity.
In addition to the above, the Director will supervise the work of a full-time Assistant Director as well as several part-time consultants.
Experience
The ideal candidate for AEN’s Director of Member Engagement will have extensive familiarity with American higher education; a strong understanding of university culture, administration, and operations; a demonstrated savviness about contemporary campus politics; and a firm commitment to confronting antisemitism and anti-Israel bias and to ensuring that campuses are welcoming learning environments for Jewish, Zionist, and all students.
Candidates who have work experience engaging with senior to mid-level university officials in student affairs and the diversity/inclusion space, as well as broad contacts with fellow professionals working in this space, are preferred.
Graduate degree required. Faculty who are able to take a sabbatical or administrative leave in order to pursue this opportunity are also welcome to apply.
Qualifications
Recognizing the breadth of activities involved, the ideal candidate will bring to the position the following professional experiences and skill sets:
- Constituent-relations
- Workshop/seminar facilitation
- Event management
- Data management
Qualified candidates must be able to direct and mentor junior-level employees, work well in a small team, and contribute to the organization's overall success. They will be driven by AEN’s mission, team culture, and strategic direction. Candidates must provide proof of identity and legal right to work in the United States as specified in the Immigration Reform and Contract Act of 1986.
Desired Qualities
Additional desired qualities and attributes for this position include:
- Strong written and oral communication skills that are effective with a range of audiences and stakeholders.
- Excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work independently as well as in collaboration with colleagues, members, partners, and stakeholders.
- Robust work ethic and effective time management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects. An ability to ideate and execute quickly is essential.
- Self-motivation and an ability to think creatively.
- A commitment to diversity and inclusion, demonstrated by valuing, and supporting a diversity of perspectives, viewpoints, and ideas.
- Commitment to continual learning and professional development.
- Sound judgment and problem-solving skills.
There is a general expectation that the Director of Administrator Engagement will be well-versed in various computer systems and software.
Compensation
The target salary range for this position is $120,000-135,000, commensurate with experience. A generous and comprehensive benefits package is offered to all full-time employees. AEN is independently-branded and operates in partnership with and under the fiscal sponsorship of Israel on Campus Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and an equal opportunity employer.
AEN’s Work Culture
We expect new members of the AEN leadership team will join us in valuing the following:
- Making a positive impact in service of our members and the academic community.
- Approaching people and situations with an open mind and a desire to learn.
- Fostering healthy and productive relationships.
- Practicing empathy and gratitude.
AEN’s Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, age, disability status, marital status, parental status, military service, veteran status, or any applicable legally protected characteristics.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit a resume and brief cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position to Joshua Suchoff, AEN’s Managing Director, at [email protected]. Please use the subject line "Job Application: LAST NAME FIRST NAME."
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. If you are determined to be a good fit for the role, AEN will contact you with next steps.
If you need assistance or accommodation in the application process due to a disability, you may email us or call (202) 930-1910.