Assistant Director, Community Engagement

The Assistant Director of Community Engagement holds a pivotal leadership role within the Membership Office, responsible for program management in the Local Science Engagement Network (LSEN) and driving forward community and civic engagement initiatives to mobilize and empower AAAS Members at the local and regional levels. This includes collaboration with multi-disciplinary leaders within AAAS, such as in our 24 Sections, regional partners, affiliates, and active involvement in supporting community engagement learning content within the Member Learning Hub.

Within LSEN program management and program communications, the assistant director will provide strategic support to LSEN Liaison leaders as they expand local networks and demonstrate measurable community engagement impact, in close coordination with Membership staff and other AAAS programs. The Assistant Director will ensure the LSEN delivers meaningful and sustainable outcomes that align with AAAS’ mission of advancing science, technology, and innovation for the betterment of society. This role also entails collaborating with allies and affiliates to enhance and amplify the impact of these activities. We are seeking a dedicated project manager with a proven track record in community and/or civic engagement and growing local networks.

What You’ll Do 

LSEN

• Develop and sustain LSEN Liaisons in key locations in the United States to establish and grow local networks aimed at mobilizing and empowering scientists in their own communities, enhancing overall mission-based member engagement.
• Lead and facilitate the collaborative development of Liaisons’ deliverables by co-developing action plans and ensuring progressive capacity-building.
• Provide comprehensive training to Liaisons in civic engagement, network building, and capacity development, collaborating closely with the Director of Engagement and Senior Training Manager.
• Establish and manage Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) at the programmatic level, systematically tracking Liaisons’ activities for both internal and external reporting, including measuring impact to local communities. Evaluate insights and lessons learned from each network activity.
• Collaborate with Liaisons and key Membership staff to amplify and grow networks from AAAS Membership, affiliates, donors, supporters, and other channels.
• Develop and coordinate with Member Engagement staff ongoing engagement activities for LSEN Liaisons and their networks by way of webinars, town halls, learning forums, regular standing meetings and other events designed to support the success of LSEN local leaders.

LSEN Communication

• Direct the content calendar for LSEN networks on LSEN Community and other social platforms. Provide continuous content guidance to network volunteers and ensure a timely approval process from AAAS staff.
• Collaborate with the Senior Manager of Engagement Marketing and Communications to draft content supporting LSEN visibility and goals across various mediums, including email, websites, and social media, for all LSEN supporters.

Member Mobilization

• Conduct and facilitate outreach and collaboration between both internal and external science civic engagement allies, partners and other units to grow member mobilization in civic engagement initiatives.
• Serve as a visible representative and strategic planner of civic engagement activities within the AAAS Membership Office to Sections, affiliates, regional partners and Institutional License members.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree, Master’s Degree preferred
• At least five (5) years of experience in community or civic engagement, and in supporting STEMM networks
• Previous experience building strategic relationships and demonstrating concrete success in meeting organizational and programmatic goals
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to inspire trust and respect among colleagues and external partners
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, and tasks in a self-directed manner
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a fast-moving and results-oriented team
• Excellent, clear and concise oral and written communication skills; comfort with presenting material to a wide range of audiences, including internal partners, the public, and variety of volunteers and partners
• Good problem-solving skills, professional initiative, time management, prioritization and networking skills, along with flexibility and creativity
• Ability to travel (approximately 20%)

Application Process

Submit a resume and cover letter outlining qualifications and interest in the position by May 4, 2024. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. A Recruiter will contact you with next steps if you are selected for an interview.

AAAS is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or other protected category. AAAS uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

Search Firm and Employment Agency Disclaimer

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Any unsolicited resumes sent to AAAS from a third party, such as an agency, including unsolicited resumes sent to an AAAS mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to AAAS employees, or to the AAAS resume database will be considered AAAS property. Verbal or written communications from any employee of AAAS shall not be considered binding obligations. AAAS Human Resources is the only AAAS representative authorized by AAAS enter into any employment agreements with any third party. AAAS will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

The anticipated initial rate of compensation for this position is $115,000 – $130,000 per year. AAAS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, each subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply.

Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of AAAS and will be based on a variety of factors, including years of experience, depth of experience, and other relevant factors. AAAS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.