Associate Director

The American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) is a global membership organization dedicated to advancing the vitality and democratic purposes of undergraduate liberal education. Through our programs and events, publications and research, public advocacy and campus-based projects, AAC&U serves as a catalyst and facilitator for innovations that improve educational quality and equity and that support the success of all students. In addition to accredited public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities and state higher education systems and agencies throughout the United States, our membership includes degree-granting higher education institutions in more than twenty-five countries as well as other organizations and individuals. To learn more, visit www.aacu.org.

AAC&U seeks a dynamic, energetic, and intellectually curious Associate Director to oversee the day-to-day work of Advancing Public Trust in Higher Education (APT), a new initiative that promotes the democratic purposes of colleges and universities by furthering public trust in and appreciation for higher education. In collaboration with colleagues in the Office of Leadership, Strategy and Advancement, the Associate Director leads efforts to grow and nourish expanding coalitions of college and university presidents, senior administrators, business and civil society leaders, and other individual and organizational partners. The Associate Director also helps to develop the programmatic agenda for the initiative, which will culminate in the development and implementation of a concrete, workable plan to rebuild the social contract between universities and the public. This position reports to the Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives and works in close collaboration with the Vice President for Leadership, Strategy, and Advancement. This is a grant funded position through October 2026, with possible renewal contingent on funding.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Manage and cultivate relationships with an expanding network of leaders, stakeholders, and partners in the higher education, business, civil society, and nonprofit sectors.
• Organize and oversee virtual and in-person events bringing together college and university leaders, other stakeholders, coalition partners, funders, and more.
• Provide thought partnership and writing support for reports and published commentary in service of advancing public trust in higher education.
• Provide project management, including developing an overarching strategy for the work of APT, creating timelines and strategies to meet the goals of the projects, brainstorming partners and appropriate outreach, and executing those plans in collaboration with colleagues.
• Communicate effectively with a variety of audiences about the mission and democratic purposes of higher education.
• Support and contribute to efforts to fundraise for APT and OLSA.
• Assist with tracking budgetary expenditures and deliverables for APT and OLSA grants.
• Other related duties as assigned.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree required; relevant advanced degree preferred.
• Five to seven years of experience working in higher education.
• Broad understanding of higher education in the United States and/or globally, including the current landscape for liberal education.
• Demonstrated experience working with one or more of the target populations: higher education presidents or senior leaders, business leaders, civil society leaders, nonprofit leaders, or funders.
• Demonstrated experience in managing projects, building coalitions, and managing networks.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills and time management skills.
• An invitational and entrepreneurial approach to coalition-building.
• Openness to engaging with a variety of approaches to advancing public trust in higher education, including those that may be uncomfortable or unpopular.
• Energetic, prompt, and skilled at multitasking in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability and willingness to travel to conferences and events.

Please submit a resume, cover letter describing relevant work and educational experience, a list of three references, and salary requirements to AAC&U, Box HR/OLSA, 1818 R Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, or to openings@aacu.org. Review of applications will begin on October 13, 2025.

This is a remote/hybrid position. A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between $90,000-$100,000.

AAC&U believes that a broadly diverse staff is critical to achieving excellence as a national higher education association. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. We are fully committed to equal employment opportunity and compliance with the full range of fair employment practices and nondiscrimination laws.

Exceptional Benefits