Director, Community Engagement, American Council on Education

Director, Community Engagement, American Council on Education

Description

Position summary:   

The American Council on Education (ACE) is a membership organization that mobilizes the higher education community to shape effective public policy and foster innovative, high-quality practice. ACE is working toward a vision of a vibrant democratic society that relies on postsecondary education to expand knowledge, equity, and social progress. ACE demonstrates its core values of inclusion, excellence, innovation, collaboration, and impact in the work we do and how we serve our members. Our work is driven by three strategic priorities: (1) Affirm and Strengthen Public Trust in Postsecondary Education, (2) Champion Equity, Access, and Completion, and (3) Enrich the Capacity of Institutions and Leaders to Innovate and Adapt.

ACE manifests its mission and strategic priorities by working with communities of campus leaders to advance equity-minded leadership, institutional transformation and student success in American higher education.  Key catalytic communities include: the 10,000-member ACE Women’s Network and the 2,000+ Alumni of the ACE Fellows program as well as association partners – the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), National Association of Presidential Assistants in Higher Education (NAPAHE) and the Association of Chief Academic Officers (ACAO).  Further, new digital peer communities with common interest continue to emerge – e.g. mental health, civic engagement – as higher education strives to meet the opportunities of a rapidly changing society.

The Director of Community Engagement, reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Community Strategy and Engagement, is responsible for implementing community engagement strategies that mobilize this dynamic group of community leaders to advance women’s leadership in higher education, diversify the talent pipeline into senior higher education leadership, and promote change that closes equity gaps in attainment and promotes institutional resilience.

The Director manages a small team that supports and mobilizes communities.  The Director serves as a member of the leadership team for the Division of Learning and Engagement and, as such, is a key contributor to the design and implementation of the operating model and work plan and OKR’s within the learning and engagement division.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

Work with the AVP of Community Strategy and Engagement to define and design ACE’s approach to engagement across legacy and emergent communities.

Manage the implementation of Memoranda of Understanding with communities to meet shared expectations and responsibilities based on alignment that advance common initiatives and programs.

Work with Content Strategy team to design, develop and curate resources to support ACE communities.

Develop, and work with the Associate Director of Community Engagement to implement a plan to create digital engagement opportunities, on ACE’s ENGAGE platform, for communities and support and maintain them as active users.

Work with marketing, membership, IT, Research and Engage team to ensure individuals in these communities are served with targeted outreach, engagement, and resources that is consistent with their interests and professional learning needs.

Manage execution of support for ACE’s key legacy community - the ACE Women’s Network (WNEC, State Chairs, Presidential Sponsors, Institutional Representatives).

• Provide support for ACE/WN common initiatives and programs.
• Collaborate with the research and professional learning teams as well as members of the ACE Women’s Network execute agreed upon projects.
• Provide leadership for the design and implementation of the annual ACE Women’s Network Leadership Conference, Women’s Network Reception, and the ACE Women’s Leadership Dinner.

• Work with team to prepare reports on the efficacy of community engagement activities to guide improved practice and community member value creation.

Education/Experience/Specialized Knowledge and Competency Requirements

Required

• Master’s degree
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience related to the role.

Preferred

• Doctoral degree
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience implementing community engagement strategies such as alumni or customers.
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s leadership and DEI
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain partnerships in support of organizational goals and an ability to cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with diverse external constituencies.
• Excellent research, writing, and oral communication skills
• A minimum of 2 years of supervisory experience
• Experience designing, implementing, and assessing leadership programs and learning events for higher education professionals
• Demonstrated success in managing volunteer-led organizations and mobilizing volunteer efforts to achieve organizational goals.
• Entrepreneurial, innovative thinker with an ability to work as part of a cross-functional team.

For consideration, please submit a resume plus cover letter via the following link:  https://tinyurl.com/4w8vjm3p

**Please note that this position is located in Washington, DC.  Due to the current pandemic, the American Council on Education is currently in a remote status, and you may experience a slower response time to your inquiry for a job opportunity, and the interview process will be conducted remotely. We appreciate your patience as we adjust to these dynamic circumstances.  Our status is subject to change based on guidance surrounding COVID-19.**

The American Council on Education is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, disability, matriculation, genetic information, credit information or protected veteran status.