Associate Director - Strategic Initiatives

Associate Director - Strategic Initiatives

About the Opportunity

JOB SUMMARY

The Institute for Information, the Internet, and Democracy seeks to support rigorous research on the problems of the contemporary information ecosystem, and to evaluate the potential of interventions into and uses of the affordances of the internet to support connection and to empower democracy. The Institute supports highly interdisciplinary research across political science, computer science, journalism, media, law, and public health, among other fields.

The Associate Director will provide long-term and day-to-day direction to the Institute, in coordination with the Institute's founding faculty. The Associate Director will advocate for the Institute's mission by managing the Institute's programming, coordinating with faculty and staff members on strategic initiatives, writing grant proposals and seeking funding opportunities, representing the Institute to the larger university, as well as other related tasks. The Associate Director will also help to develop the organizational structure, internal policies, and collaborative relationship with the Institute's Dublin and Arlington teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Day to day coordination of the Institute's network. This involves managing and engaging with the Institute's network of internal and external stakeholders, overseeing communications, and engaging with other departments across the university and the university administration. Strategic planning for developing the organizational structure, internal policies, and collaborative relationships with the Institute's Dublin and Arlington teams.

Grant-writing and fundraising. Identify and pursue federal and state grants to support the Institute's research on internet governance, platform accountability and transparency, and digital democracy. Working in close coordination and collaboration with the Office of Advancement, pursue funding from private organizations and individuals for the activities stated above. Working with Advancement, build and manage partnerships with funding organizations, including reporting on existing awards.

Create and strengthen partnerships. Work with civil society organizations, election officials, international democracy organizations, and policy makers, for the purposes of expanding the Institute's research and impact portfolio, as well as to enhance student access to practitioners and experts in the fields of internet governance, digital policy, and democratic innovation.

Manage public communications. Organize and run online and offline public engagement with the Institute's research and policy work. This includes organizing the Institute's public lectures and colloquia, newsletter and social media engagement.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in a social sciences or humanities field with a broad knowledge of public policy and information networks
• Minimum 3-5 years administrative and leadership experience
• Proven experience with grant writing and grant management, as well as managing organizational budgets, finances, event planning, communications, and hiring
• Ability to effectively communicate complex facts and ideas both in writing and in face-to-face presentations
• High level of skill in working collaboratively with individuals and groups