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About the Role

The Director, Intentional Design for an Equitable Academy (IDEA) will lead the design, development, and implementation of new initiatives, manage a team of seven staff, and cultivate new partnerships in philanthropy and academia. This role is an opportunity to shape ACLS's next phase of work in broadening perspectives in American academia, encouraging forward-looking academic policies, helping scholars navigate current systems, and supporting underinvested scholarly communities.

Responsibilities

Design and lead initiatives with meaningful impact for constituencies that work towards a more inclusive and vibrant ecosystem for the humanities and social sciences.
Manage and mentor direct reports and other unit members, providing guidance and strategic counsel.
Oversee the IDEA budget and operations.
Coordinate activities with other ACLS units, including Communications, Development, and Finance.
Work with the President and Chief Development Officer to secure funding for initiatives and programs.
Maintain effective relations with foundation partners and funders.
Propose and conduct travel for relationship cultivation.
Represent IDEA to the ACLS Board, constituencies, funders, and other groups by authoring or co-authoring reports, speaking in external settings, and presenting at select convenings and conferences.

Requirements

PhD in the humanities or social sciences.
At least 6 years of management/administrative experience (e.g., department or program chair, center director, associate dean or dean, or comparable role in a non-profit organization).
Expertise in academic policy and culture (e.g., hiring and tenure processes, undergraduate and/or graduate education reform, academic leadership cultivation, diversity initiatives).
Experience fundraising from philanthropic foundations or individual donors.
Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, relationship-building, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize long-term projects and short-term assignments in a deadline-driven environment.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Analytical and creative problem-solving capacity.
Understanding of the relationship between strategy and operations and respect for operational expertise.
Willingness to adapt as needed to nonprofit office norms.
Ability to take initiative, respond nimbly, and maintain adaptive leadership in a fast-changing policy and funding landscape.
Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Word and Excel.
Experience with using relational databases, such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM preferred.
Experience with the Mellon Mays programs a plus.
Experience with grants management a plus.
Must live within commuting distance of New York City.
Serving faculty acceptable but must secure at least three years of unpaid leave with possibility of leave renewal.

Skills

Collaboration
Relationship-building
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
MS Office (Word, Excel)
Relational databases (Microsoft Dynamics CRM preferred)
Mellon Mays programs (preferred)
Grants management (preferred)

Location

New York City

Work Type

Hybrid
Some travel required

Experience Level

At least 6 years of management/administrative experience

Education Level

PhD in the humanities or social sciences

Salary/Compensations

$175,000 - $200,000

Benefits

Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Life insurance
Accidental death and disability insurance
Generous time off benefits
Retirement savings plan with employer contributions
Professional development support

About the Company

The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) has advanced humanistic knowledge since 1919 through member societies and institutions via fellowship and grant programs, disbursing $20-25 million annually.
ACLS infrastructural initiatives include the commission that established the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The Intentional Design for an Equitable Academy (IDEA) unit, established in 2023, houses ACLS programs focused on broadening perspectives in American academia, encouraging forward-looking academic policies, assisting scholars, and supporting underinvested scholarly communities.