Program Officer, North America

Scholars at Risk is seeking a highly-organized, proactive and detail-oriented individual skilled in relationship building to join the SAR team as a Research Scientist/Program Officer, North America for the Membership and Network Relations team. The Research Scientist/Program Officer plays a key role within the SAR membership team building and engaging our network of over 200 universities and academic associations in the United States and Canada. The Research Scientist/Program Officer should develop fluency in all of these areas of SAR’s work in order to develop and lead strategies for identifying, recruiting, and engaging universities, faculty, and students. In addition, the Research Scientist/Program Officer will be expected to oversee the management and strategy of both the SAR United States and Canada Section. The Research Scientist/Program Officer will be encouraged to handle increasing responsibility for these and other activities as appropriate. The position reports to SAR’s Director of Membership and Network Relations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

55% Member engagement & relationship management

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with key stakeholders across the United States and Canada, including relationship management of primary representatives at over 200 universities and academic associations throughout North America.
• Research and develop knowledge of higher education in North America to promote engagement of universities, colleges, academic associations and societies, faculty and students, including hosting scholars, seminars, clinics, workshops, research projects, and publications.
• Under the guidance of the supervisor, lead the further development of the SAR United States section in particular, with key support directed at the section Steering Committee, enhancing solidarity, coordination, and resource-sharing among universities.
• Lead in the planning and coordination of regional meetings and events across the United States and Canada and cooperate with the Membership & Network Relations team to enhance sharing of experience across the network globally.
• Develop and manage programs and partnerships aligned with SAR’s strategic plan as necessary, including strengthening campus committees to enhance efficiencies and knowledge-sharing.
• Increase the visibility of the SAR network by contributing to team social media, press outreach, e-blasts, mailings, website updates, and additional communications-related tools.

25% Network expansion & public engagement

• Research, design, and implement regionally targeted outreach efforts to grow the SAR network, including management of SAR sections and partner networks in North America.
• Identify and initiate opportunities for collaboration across and outside the global network, evaluate programs and services to make recommendations to strengthen stakeholder engagement.
• Represent SAR accurately and professionally at conferences, events and meetings, and assist in planning member and prospective member events and meetings as needed.
• Identify new opportunities to enhance university and association participation in SAR’s work.

20% Engagement-related administration and operations

• Contribute to the development and design of appropriate data tracking systems to generate membership-related reports, statistics, and numbers as needed.
• Research organizational growth and data management strategy, apply new data management strategies to the membership team’s record keeping and communications.
• Assist in membership invoicing.
• Lead and/or contribute to administrative tasks, including mailings/digests to members, prospective members, and others as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree in a related field, or extensive comparable experience required.
• 5+ years of related work experience in a non-profit or higher education setting or a combination of related education/experience.
• Exceptional communication skills and proven proficiency in public speaking and delivering impactful presentations.
• Skilled in relationship cultivation and stakeholder management while navigating competing interests and priorities.
• Experienced in project and event management with a demonstrated solution-focused mindset.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize and distill complex information for general audiences; excellent research, writing, and editorial skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international education.
• Previous membership/network building experience is desirable.
• Fluency in an additional language preferred, Spanish and/or French desirable.

Application Instructions

Apply online at https://apply.interfolio.com/172212 by uploading the requested materials in one combined PDF: (1) a letter of interest, (2) resume, (3) list of references or letters of reference, and (4) a brief, unedited writing sample. DEADLINE FOR INITIAL APPLICATION REVIEW IS SEPTEMBER 7, 2025. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until the position is filled. No phone calls or email inquiries, please. Regrettably, SAR is not able to sponsor work-eligible visas for these positions.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: This is a full-time, at-will position on an open-ended term, subject to program priorities, exemplary performance and availability of funds. In compliance with NYC’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $55,000-$75,000. Scholars at Risk in an independent not-for-profit corporation hosted at New York University (NYU). SAR staff are NYU employees seconded to SAR and as such are eligible for NYU employee benefits, including generous vacation leave and holidays; medical, dental, vision and life insurance options; and retirement benefits (all subject to terms established by NYU as described at https://www.nyu.edu/employees/benefit/full-time/professional-research-staff.html). NYU considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.