Program Director
at Social Science Research Council
https://www.ssrc.org/about/employment/?gh_jid=5203922002
The Social Science Research Council (SSRC) is an independent, international, nonprofit organization devoted to the advancement of interdisciplinary research in the social sciences and related disciplines through a wide variety of workshops and conferences, fellowships and grants, summer training institutes, scholarly exchanges, research, and publications. Working with partners around the world to link research to practice and policy, our work strengthens individual and institutional capacities for learning and enhances public access to information. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.ssrc.org.
The SSRC seeks to hire a Program Director to play a leadership role as part of an SSRC team developing and implementing the new Just Tech Fellowship program. In particular, the Program Director will be responsible for the program’s engagement with and outreach to arts communities and nonprofit organizations, building bridges between the fellows, who will be drawn from a range of communities including the arts and design, advocacy, journalism, the humanities, the social sciences, and computer and data sciences. More broadly, this Program Director will support community building among Just Tech fellows and other key stakeholders.
The Just Tech program responds to a critical need in the technology ecosystem, empowering an intersectional network of scholars and practitioners to imagine and create more equitable and representative technological futures. Through fellowships, grants, trainings, networking events, and a digital platform that curates knowledge and insights on tech, inequity, and social justice, and highlights fellows, their work, and their networks, the program supports people of outstanding talent to pursue their creative, intellectual, and professional goals as researchers, artists, and practitioners. The program thus seeks to elevate and amplify communities of practice that address the multiple ways that technologies shape inequality and consider how technological developments may be oriented to center people and redress inequality. Funding for the program is provided by the MacArthur Foundation and the Ford Foundation.
This position reports to the SSRC President and will work in collaboration with the Just Tech team, especially a current SSRC Program Director, contributing to the program’s launch and success with particular focus on outreach, communication, and laying the foundation for an integrated, networked community of fellows. The Program Director will be responsible for engaging potential fellows and organizations in the arts and nonprofit communities, promoting opportunities for cross-learning with fellows from higher education and research and advocacy organizations, and developing and coordinating meaningful experiences for program fellows and participants. As part of this process, the Program Director will work closely with the Just Tech steering committee and review committees, contribute to the design and content of the Just Tech digital platform, and represent the program to a range of constituencies.
The Program Director will also work in collaboration with colleagues in other SSRC fellowship programs for institutional learning and the sharing of best practices.
RESPONSIBILITIES
In partnership with supervisors and Just Tech program colleagues, the Program Director will:
- Lead program-wide efforts to create community and a strong sense of belonging among fellows, fostering a collective sense of involvement in a transformational project.
- Connect fellows and participants with diverse interests and from diverse institutional locations to promote collaboration and cross-learning as well as fellows’ success and impact.
- Coordinate the communication and amplification of the Just Tech program and its affiliates nationally. In particular, conduct outreach to arts organizations, nonprofits, and advocacy groups to attract a diverse set of applicants to the program and establish strong commitment to the goals of the program in these institutional spaces.
- Plan, organize, and facilitate fellow workshops, cohort-building convenings, and other capacity-building opportunities. This includes preparing meeting agendas, drafting and editing concept notes and event summary notes, and coordinating and facilitating correspondence with participants and all relevant stakeholders during workshops and meetings.
- In collaboration with other members of the Just Tech team, develop and manage project and program proposals and budgets, and write grant reports for donors.
- Support new program development and funding proposals to support the goals of the fellowship.
- Participate in Media, Technology, and Politics cross-program staff teams.
QUALIFICATIONS
- A terminal degree (including JD, MFA, or MPA) or a PhD in the arts, humanities, or social sciences (or equivalent experience) is preferred.
- Experience organizing and moderating workshops, meetings, and conference panels.
- Experience building teams and communities of practice, including project or organizational leadership, advocacy, or organizing.
- Exceptional writing and editing skills and demonstrated ability to write on deadline and for multiple audiences.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Team player with demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond flexibly to changing demands in a fast-paced policy research environment.
- Program management and grant writing and budgeting experience highly desirable.
- Interest in working in a professional role at the interface between the academic, technology, cultural institutions, and nonprofit spheres.
TERMS, SALARY AND BENEFITS
Annual salary will be commensurate with experience. This is a grant-funded position, and renewal is based on successful performance and availability of funding. Comprehensive benefits include health, dental, vision, disability, life, and gym reimbursement; outstanding pension plan and tax savings programs; generous vacation and sick leave; and more. Provisions are made for professional staff to continue their development as a scholar while at the Council.
This position is based out of the Brooklyn, NY, office and as such conforms to the general operating hours of the SSRC standard workweek.
The Social Science Research Council is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are dedicated to equal employment opportunity and to cultivating and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. SSRC maintains a policy of non-discrimination with all employees and applicants for employment. All aspects of employment with the Council are made on the basis of competence, skill and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, creed, color, religion, sex/gender, national origin/ancestry, ethnicity, age, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital or domestic partner status, medical conditions (including pregnancy and/or genetic information) or physical or mental disability, citizenship status or any other categories prohibited by law.
