Associate Director of the Wason Center

Chief Objective of Position: 

The Wason Center’s new mission is to inspire, inform and ignite the next generation of civic leaders to make the world a better place. The Associate Director will partner with the Executive Director to lead the continued transformation of the Wason Center as it expands its civic leadership programs on campus, in the community, and around the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Work Tasks:

Serve as the Wason Center’s Communications Director:

• Develop and execute an annual communications plan that will drive awareness and support for the Wason Center’s mission among our key external constituent groups (journalists, funders and the broader public.
• The plan will consider internal and external stakeholders and how we engage with traditional media and social media to release our surveys, participate in policy discussions across the Commonwealth and be an advocate for effective civic leadership.
• Work with our Wason Center Civic Leadership Scholars to plan and execute internal Christopher Newport focused messaging campaigns that celebrate civic leadership to raise the profile of the Wason Center on campus.
• In the absence of the Executive Director, represent the Wason Center at appropriate events locally and around the Commonwealth.

Serve as the Wason Center’s Programs Director:

• Develop, launch and evaluate new Civic Leadership programs consistent with the Wason Center’s transformation plan.
• Direct the activities of the Wason Center Distinguished Virginians (DVs) program. The Assistant Director will be responsible for the planning and execution of all DV visits to campus including marketing their visits to the campus community, preparing students for discussion groups and facilitating their 1-on-1 meetings between DVs and students.
• Direct the activities of the Wason Center Mentorship Matching program including assisting with coordination and scheduling of our monthly mentor and scholar meetings.
• Manage communications with the network of Distinguished Virginians and Mentors to facilitate future DV and mentor recruitment and to identify opportunities to have our DVs and Mentors engage with our students during and after their official terms as Distinguished Virginians.
• Coordinate the activities of the Wason Center Civic Leadership Scholars including the scholars’ weekly meetings, survey projects, and event attendance to ensure the scholars satisfy the programs’ requirements.
• Support the work of the Executive Director to recruit high-ability students to join the Wason Center Civic Leadership Scholarship Program.

Support the Wason Center’s Advancement Efforts:

• Launch, grow and maintain a new Wason Center Membership Program to develop a new revenue stream for the Center. The membership program should cultivate new engagement between Wason Center supporters and the Center’s work.
• Work with the Executive Director and Advisory Board to recruit corporate and individual sponsors for our programs on and off campus.
• Support the Wason Center’s Survey Research Program.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and Research Director to plan our survey research schedule and help establish new strategic partnerships to drive new client research and revenue.
• Recruit the Wason Center’s primary workforce – the student pollsters in our lab.
• Support the Wason Center’s Administrative & Event Planning needs.
• Work with the Wason Center lab manager to ensure all hiring paperwork is filled out and submitted correctly.
• Work with the Christopher Newport events team to plan and execute our public events including fundraising events, campus policy/politics forums, etc. This will include designing and distributing invitations, nametags, attending and working all Wason Center public functions during and after hours.
• Administrative duties as assigned by the Executive Director and Research Director.

Additional Duties:

• This position is designated as a “responsible employee” who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.
• Develops and maintains very positive and professional customer service and/or relations within the office/department and with all constituencies to include students, faculty, staff, guests, and employees. Demonstrates a positive and professional attitude and treats everyone with dignity and respect. Fully supports the “Student’s First” value at CNU and routinely goes the extra mile in providing service.
• Reviews and communicates safety issues to assure a safe and healthy workplace and a reduction in work related absence.
• Follow workplace safety regulations and adhere to applicable standards, processes, and programs established for your position.
• Report unsafe work conditions to your supervisor.
• Immediately report work-related incidents to your supervisor and participate in accident investigation requests.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) required:

Demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in writing. Effective public speaker. Experience using various traditional and digital communications tools. Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and work independently and collaboratively. Ability to accommodate evening and weekend work. Proactive, independent, and driven to succeed. Computer literacy and experience with basic word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) preferred:

Considerable knowledge of the local and surrounding communities within the Newport News and Hampton Roads region.

Required Education:

Master’s degree, or a Bachelor’s degree and work experience that equates to an advanced degree, at time of start date.

Experience Required:

An ideal candidate will have a high level of experience in nonprofit management, public policy, public administration or a related discipline. The candidate should have evidence of work experience showcasing a commitment to civic leadership and be passionate about the news, public policy, and inspiring leadership.

Experience Preferred:

Experience in not-for-profit program development, management and evaluation including communications, fundraising and event planning. Experience working with undergraduate college students.

CNU Information:

S​elected by The Princeton Review to be included in The 3878 Best Colleges: 2023 Edition, Christopher Newport University is a public school offering a private school experience – great teaching, small classes, and a safe, vibrant campus. The University is located in Newport News, Virginia, enrolls approximately 5,000 students, and is dedicated to the ideals of scholarship, leadership, and service. Academic programs at Christopher Newport University encompass more than 90 areas of study, from biology to business administration and political science to the performing arts. The University is ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges guide​ as 2nd among public regional universities in the South and 5th overall, and has recently completed more than $1 billion in capital construction on its 260-acre campus. Christopher Newport University is committed to ensuring that all people are welcomed, honored, and fully engaged in the life of our academic community. We recruit exceptional and diverse faculty and encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in their profession. For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit www.cnu.edu.

Position Detail Information

Working Title:  Associate Director of the Wason Center

Position Number:  GA360

FLSA: Exempt

Appointment Type: Full Time

Sensitive Position: No. A sensitive position requires a fingerprint-based criminal history check. This is NOT a sensitive position.

Campus Security Authority: No. This position is NOT designated as a Campus Security Authority. A Campus Security Authority (or CSA) is defined as an “official of the institution with significant responsibility for student and campus activities.” A CSA is required to immediately report any crime that is reported to them to the University Police who will then review, evaluate, and investigate the reported crime. Annual training is required by the Department of Education for all personnel who have been designated as a Campus Security Authority.

Designated Personnel: No. This position is a “designated position” meaning this position could potentially be required to work (depending on the event) during an emergency closing.

Statement of Economic Interest: No. This position does NOT require a Statement of Personal Economic Interest.

Restricted Position: Yes.  A restricted position would be subject to availability of funding. This IS a restricted position.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number: AP256P

Number of Vacancies: 1

Posting Date: 09/15/2022

Application Deadline: 10/02/2022

Application Instructions:

Interested parties are requested to submit a cover letter; current resume; and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references at the time of application.
Review of applications will begin October 2, 2022.

Applications received after October 2, 2022, will be accepted but considered only if needed.
Search finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check.
 

Christopher Newport University (CNU) will make a reasonable effort to accommodate persons with disabilities in the application and/or interview process. Persons with disabilities who require accommodation should contact the CNU Human Resources Office by calling (757) 594-7145.

Quick Link to Posting: https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/14333

EEO Statement:

Christopher Newport University, an EO Employer, is fully Committed to Access and Opportunity.
Notice of Non-Discrimination & Title IX Policy Statement: