Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement

Position Overview

The Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for a broad portfolio of scholarly, research, and educational initiatives. This individual also supervises one staff member, sets annual and long-term goals, and collaborates closely with the Executive Director and senior leadership to ensure the success of NCA’s Strategic Plan and IDEA Strategic Plan.

The Director manages NCA’s research-related publications and data reports—including the Jobs in Communication report, Profile of the Doctorate, and Communication Currents—and serves as the primary staff liaison to NCA’s publisher, Taylor & Francis. The role oversees member and program surveys, supports NCA’s 12 journal editors, administers NCA’s grant programs, and guides major programmatic initiatives, including the Doctoral Honors Seminar, Midcareer Scholars Writing Retreat, Institute for Faculty Development, Department Chairs’ Institute, and the Communication PhD Pipeline Program.

As liaison to the Research, Teaching & Learning, and Publications Councils, the Director provides support on projects, convention programming, and strategic conversations on research, teaching, and publishing. The position also represents NCA to external organizations (e.g., ACLS, COSSA, NHA), monitors trends in higher education, and makes significant contributions to NCA’s Annual Convention and online resource libraries.

This is a highly collaborative, intellectually engaging leadership role that requires strong research fluency in the field of Communication, publishing in academic journals, program oversight skills, and the ability to support scholars and educators across all areas of the discipline.

Key Responsibilities

Staff Supervision & Department Leadership

• Demonstrated ability to foster effective collaboration, maintain productive stakeholder relationships, and represent the Association with professionalism.
• Supervise and collaborate with a departmental staff member, including setting annual and long-term goals, managing time effectively, and planning professional development.
• Participate in senior staff meetings; offer guidance on staffing questions and organizational initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and senior staff to develop a vision for each department that aligns with NCA’s Strategic Plan and IDEA Strategic Plan.
• Collaborate with the Executive Director and senior staff to interview candidates for NCA positions.

Convention Planning & Support

• Submit programming abstracts for Research, Teaching & Learning, and Publications Councils and oversee programs
• Collaborate with the Convention and Meetings team to coordinate food & beverage, audiovisual, and other logistical needs for council and program sessions
• Copy-edit the annual convention program
• Lead development of the annual convention survey in collaboration with the Convention and Meetings team and Convention Committee

Public & Member Programs

• Oversee production of Public Programs.
• Lead major programmatic initiatives, including:
• Department Chairs’ Institute
• Institute for Faculty Development
• Doctoral Honors Seminar
• Midcareer Scholars Writing Retreat
• Communication PhD. Pipeline Program

Grant Administration

Manage the full portfolio of NCA research and pedagogy grants, including:

• Communication Pedagogy Grant
• Research Cultivation Grants
• Advancing the Discipline Grants
• Dale Leathers Fund Grants
• Student Caucus Travel Grants

Research & Publications

• Lead development of major annual reports such as the Jobs in Communication report and Profile of the Doctorate.
• Produce and oversee monthly Communication Currents essays.
• Collaborate on membership, convention, and program surveys.
• Support journal editors and oversee publication processes and policy guidance.

Taylor & Francis Publishing Liaison

• Work with the Publications Council Chair to facilitate communication between editors and the T&F staff representative.
• Monitor journal performance, diversity metrics, editorial processes, and publication timelines.
• Support NCA’s book publishing program and develop new publication ideas.

Council Liaison Responsibilities

Serve as primary staff liaison to NCA Standing Committees:

• Research Council
• Teaching & Learning Council
• Publications Council
• Committee on International Discussion and Debate
• Doctoral Education Committee

Responsibilities include supporting council initiatives, convention programming, coordinating online databases and advocacy materials, advising on trends, and connecting councils with NCA staff and external partners.

Advocacy & Outreach

• Represent NCA with national organizations supporting the humanities and social sciences (e.g., COSSA, NHA, ACLS).
• Monitor trends in higher education; advise elected leaders, councils, and staff.
• Maintain relationships with partner organizations.

Website Oversight

• Review, maintain, and update NCA website pages related to journals, books, research, teaching, and learning, in collaboration with the Communications team.

Qualifications

Required:

• Ph.D. in Communication or a closely related field.
• Minimum eight years of experience in research development, scholarly publishing, and academic program management.
• Demonstrated success in project management, supervision, and program development.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and analytical skills.
• Experience working with higher education, nonprofit, and/or scholarly organizations.

Preferred:

• Experience with grant oversight and administration.
• Familiarity with academic associations, scholarly publishing workflows, and survey design.

Reporting Structure

• The Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement reports to the Executive Director.
• The Research Associate reports to the Director of Research, Publications, and Professional Advancement.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.

Work Mode:

The National Communication Association operates in a hybrid work model, with two days spent in the office and three days working from home. Staff are expected to be in the office on Tuesdays for strategic planning and other ongoing discussions with the Executive Director. The position requires travel to the NCA Annual Convention in November and approximately 2-3 additional trips per year to represent NCA at partner organization meetings and conferences. The work model is regularly reviewedto meet the evolving needs of the association. Such a review may necessitate changing the position’s mode of work designation.