Program Associate, US Programs

Overview of ACLS

Formed a century ago, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is a nonprofit federation of 81 scholarly organizations. As the leading representative of American scholarship in the humanities and social sciences, ACLS’s core principle is that knowledge is a public good. As such, ACLS strives to promote the circulation of humanistic knowledge throughout society. In addition to stewarding and representing its member organizations, ACLS employs its endowment and $34 million annual operating budget to support scholarship in the humanities and social sciences and to advocate for its central role in the twenty-first century.

Overview of Department

The US Programs team runs an evolving set of programs and initiatives that respond to issues in scholarship and higher education by supporting humanities scholars at different career stages and at a variety of institutions across higher education and beyond. In the most recent competition year, ACLS drew on the expertise of nearly 700 peer reviewers to make awards totaling $25 million to nearly 400 scholars. The team prizes collaboration, flexibility, creativity, and problem-solving, and we seek colleagues who will join us in our efforts to improve our programs and processes so that they are more accessible, equitable, responsive, and effective.

Job Summary

The program associate assists with all aspects of program administration. This role supports the team in the day-to-day operations of fellowship and grant competitions, the maintenance and analysis of information and data on current and past programs, the organization of events and outreach connected with these programs, and the research and development of new programming. The program associate is often the first point of contact with program partners and the general public, and communicates with current and past fellows, applicants, and reviewers on a range of subjects.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Engage with and support fellows, grantees, peer reviewers, and reference letters writers as they participate in ACLS initiatives
• Assist with maintaining the accuracy, functionality, and integrity of program-related database records and ACLS web-based portals, including those associated with applications, fellows, reviewers, and colleges and universities
• Communicate with applicants, fellows, and reviewers, e.g., to coordinate the provision of feedback on proposals, track reviewer invitations, gather fellows’ reports, and troubleshoot basic technical difficulties with web portals
• Research and analyze trends, impacts, various statistical data, and other information related to applications, fellowships, and reviewers, from internal records and external sources
• Draw on internal data and external media sources to inform outreach efforts to ACLS constituencies
• Produce materials for use during selection panels and workshops, proofread and contribute to the drafting of website materials, and compile information to be included in reports to funders and grant applications
• Organize logistics for workshops and meetings on- and off-site, and help manage the events
• Coordinate activities with other ACLS departments as necessary, including collaborating with web and information systems on technical projects and with communications on outreach
• Carry out administrative duties, including answering general inquiries, monitoring and organizing shared email inboxes, and greeting and directing program-related visitors at meetings and events

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a field of the humanities or related social sciences
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Keen organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments in a deadline-driven environment
• Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Willingness to try new tasks and learn skills on the job
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Word and Excel
• Reliability, humility, and a willingness to pitch in when necessary
• Discretion, maturity, and judgment
• Experience with databases and event planning or staffing preferred
• An interest in the humanities, philanthropy, and higher education
• Must be willing and able to travel to multi-day events within the US 1-2 times a year, and to staff infrequent after-hour and weekend events
• Some experience in an administrative capacity or office environment preferred

Salary and Benefits:

Base salary range: $50,000 - $55,000, commensurate with experience

ACLS offers a comprehensive benefits package; including medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and disability insurance; generous time off benefits; a retirement savings plan, including employer contributions; and professional development support.