"PERIL Chief Strategy Officer"

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Department:

School of Public Affairs

Time Type:

Full time

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Job Description:

The Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL) and the School of Public Affairs at American University are seeking applications for a Chief Strategy Officer (who would be appointed at the rank of Research Assistant Professor).

About the Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL)

PERIL (hereafter, Lab) is an applied research lab preventing radicalization to violent extremism by strengthening community resilience. We use a public health approach to design, test, and scale-up evidence-based tools and strategies that effectively reduce the threat of radicalization to harmful online and offline content including conspiracy theories, mis/disinformation, propaganda, and supremacist ideologies. As an alternative to security-based approaches that rely on surveillance, censorship, and incarceration, our work takes a multidisciplinary and preventative approach to support individuals and communities to reject propaganda and extremist content, as well as empower them to intervene and interrupt pathways to hate and political violence.

Position Summary

The Lab seeks a dynamic, experienced, and mission-driven Chief Strategy Officer (CSO) to serve as the deputy to the Executive Director, including leading executive strategy and implementation; leading dynamic partnerships, policy, and communications efforts; ensure efficient implementation of innovative operations; lead organizational growth and positive corporate culture development. This individual will have significant policy, communications, partnerships, fundraising, and executive management experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Executive Leadership: In support of the Executive Director and in the interests of the entire Lab team, the CSO will oversee the Directors – e.g. Directors of Public Affairs, Partnerships, Research, and Interventions – day-to-day and ensure an efficient team process that implements the vision of the organization with ambition and quality; ensure integration across lines of effort and among teams; work closely with the Chief Vision Officer to ensure an innovative and forward-leaning organizational posture; liaise with Members of the Board and other external executive stakeholders; and assess and mitigate organizational risks, including but not limited to legal, cybersecurity, and brand risks. The CSO will also support the Executive Director in creating annual budgets and resource allocations, create and oversee a discretionary fund process and provide active support in building and allocating the budget.
• Strategy Leadership: The CSO will lead efforts to improve upon and execute an ambitious organizational strategy and sub-strategies, as needed; develop an impact dashboard; and, in addition to broader executive management duties, will have a particular focus on implementing strategic initiatives and growth; serve as a spokesperson to key audiences, including but not limited to key constituencies in Democracy, civil rights, and tech policy; propel the organization into an efficient expansion into state, local, federal, and international policy, as well as state and online programming ensure the organization is seen as a field leader, particularly but not limited to strategic communications, and that awareness and support for the brand is expanded; lead novel approaches to ensure synergy across these efforts and integration with the organization's complementary activities.
• Spearhead Implementation of Innovations: The CSO – working closely with the Chief Vision Officer – will spearhead corporate partnerships to advance innovation and technological capabilities; design and implement an organization-wide approach to AI-driven efficiency; lead the process for considering operationalizing new tech/AI products; and ensure a culture of innovation in the implementation of all the team’s activities.
• Lead Growth and Culture: The CSO will engage with funders and review development needs against the organizational strategy to ensure that strategy and operations align with fundraising goals and are updated when needed; streamline efficiency for a fast-growing organization that must multiply output several times while increasing staff levels marginally; assess sector and organizational risk and translate operations into resilience; and ensure that – despite rapid growth – the organizational culture is collegial, inspirational, ethical, diverse, supportive, and ambitious.

Required Qualifications

• A graduate degree in a related field (e.g. MPP, JD)
• At least 10 years of experience in public policy focused on hate-fueled and political violence, online harms, or a related field spanning government, civil society, and academia.
• At least 10 years of management experience, including at least 2 years of executive management experience.
• At least 4 years managing strategic communications related to hate-fueled and political violence, online harms, or a related field.
• At least 4 years engaging press and creating communications strategies related to public affairs.
• At least 2 years of experience directly pitching philanthropic institutions for organizational funding.
• A demonstrated track record of success in securing organizational partnerships.
• Strong work ethic and proven track record of entrepreneurship.
• Commitment to community-based, civil rights and liberties–protecting approaches to preventing violence and enhancing safety and belonging for all.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership under politically sensitive, high-pressure conditions; ability to maintain credibility across ideological lines while defending civil rights and civil liberties.
• Experience leading multi-sector projects related to hate-fueled and political violence.
• Experience working across both U.S. and international policymakers.
• Experience negotiating across key stakeholders and collaborating across differences, with demonstrated success at keeping unique partners in a coalition.
• Organizational strategy design and implementation experience in either the government or nonprofit sectors.
• Entrepreneurial leadership experience, including founding and/or growing an organization.
• Strong team leadership and management skills, including demonstrated success at recruiting and retaining talent.

There is no teaching associated with this position. The initial appointment is for 12 months starting January 5, 2026, or sooner depending on the candidate's qualifications.

The salary for this position will be wholly generated through externally funded research activities. The expected salary range is $200,000-$225,000 per year, commensurate with qualifications and work experience. American University offers a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance; paid sick days; paid vacation days; and 401(k).

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled, subject to ongoing budgetary approval. Please submit applications via Workday, to include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the name and contact information of three professional references. Please email Katie Spann at kspann@american.edu if you have any questions.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.