Interim Associate Director, Madison Center for Civic Engagement

The Madison Center for Civic Engagement at James Madison University, housed in the College of Arts and Letters, invites applications for an interim associate director to begin in August 2022 for a two-year term. The Madison Center, a non-partisan, high-profile administrative entity, is hiring this position to support and reinvigorate its mission of strengthening democracy for the common good. We are looking for collegial candidates who can situate their work within wider conversations in the humanities and social sciences, create engaging civic initiatives on campus and in our community, and support the JMU and Academic Affairs strategic plans. We also seek a motivated colleague who will build and maintain productive relationships with relevant stakeholders across the university, as well as with strategic partners in our community, commonwealth, and nation—including grant writing opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The interim associate director reports to the executive director and will contribute to the direction and branding of the center. This is a 12-month, PhD level, administrative and professional faculty position. Specific duties include the following:

• Collaborate with academic units and Student Affairs to integrate civic learning into major requirements, and co-curricular programs and activities.
• Provide administrative support and guidance for student-led voter registration and education initiatives.
• Help support and expand the center’s ongoing efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Help develop the curriculum and capstone project plan for the Certificate Program in Civic Engagement with the executive director and relevant partners.
• Identify and execute grant writing opportunities in partnership with the Executive Director (note: funding for the position is not dependent on securing grant funding).
• Supervise relevant capstone projects and delegate capstone projects to faculty for the certificate program (2023 at the earliest).
• Supervise Democracy Fellows, which includes identifying and delegating projects, evaluating performance, hiring new fellows in the fall when necessary.
• Expand voter education and engagement together with Democracy Fellows and the executive director.
• Collaborate with SCHEV, Virginia Campus Compact, and other university-based public service organizations on initiatives (together with executive director).
• Conduct research, publish, and present findings at relevant national conferences, helping build a national profile of the center.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• PhD
• Ongoing research agenda in relevant field
• Curriculum development experience
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, written and oral communication, and management skills
• Demonstrated appreciation of diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Commitment to non-partisanship when representing JMU and the James Madison Center for Civic Engagement

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervision experience
• Grant writing experience
• Student event planning experience
• Experience developing and implementing effective voter registration and education
• initiatives
• Working knowledge of national organizations supporting civic engagement in higher
• education
• Experience creating and implementing programs for college students

To learn more and to apply, visit joblink.jmu.edu and reference posting F1911 or go directly to https://joblink.jmu.edu/postings/12258. Review of completed applications will begin 8/01/2022 and continue until the position is filled. Pay range: $68,000-$75,000. Inquiries about the position may be directed to Dr. David Kirkpatrick, kirkpadx@jmu.edu. 

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.