Director of Chapters

Job Description

The Scholars Strategy Network (SSN) seeks a Director of Chapters to support SSN’s almost 40 existing and emerging regional chapters to build communities of engaged scholars and inform local policy. In this role, the Director of Chapters works closely with volunteer chapter leaders to help them build momentum, engage and activate members, and focus their time and energy on work that will have the greatest impact in the regions where they operate and in the fields their members represent. This is designed as a senior position for a person who is excited to spearhead SSN’s evolving chapters program and be involved in developing the overall strategy for an organization that creates opportunities for a large and growing network of over 2,000 members who work in more than 330 colleges and universities across the US.

The Director of Chapters is a full-time position with an annual salary between $85,000-$95,000, based on qualifications and experience. SSN’s highly competitive benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance; 403b retirement plan with employer match; generous paid time off; and opportunities for professional development.

The person selected for this position will collaborate closely with other department directors, serving as a key connector between chapter leaders and SSN’s policy, communications, training, and membership teams to ensure chapters receive the right support at the right moments. This position reports directly to SSN’s Managing Director and, at current funding levels and growth rates, may supervise one to two full- or part-time employees.

Responsibilities

As a large organization with a small staff, SSN has a lean, productive team that supports our chapter leaders and members across the country in building communities of publicly engaged scholars. Among other tasks, the Director of Chapters will:

• Manage SSN's overall chapters program: The Director will work collaboratively but authoritatively to set and achieve goals and devise strategy for how best to support chapters to achieve SSN's mission. This management also involves setting and managing annual budgets and the potential for hiring, onboarding, and supervision of full- or part-time staff members.
• Coordinate across SSN: The Director will stay informed of the activities of the other teams across SSN, and provide advice and support to those teams when chapter needs arise. This includes helping chapters and SSN staff identify where collaboration will be most valuable, and avoiding duplicative or low-impact work. The Director will be aware of the priorities set by SSN’s Board of Directors and identify ways for chapters to support, promote, and align with those priorities.
• Collaborate with the Chapter Advisory Council: The Director will work with SSN’s Chapter Advisory Council—a small group of current and former chapter leaders who advise on chapter priorities, guidelines, and leadership support—to provide ongoing feedback and support for chapter leadership teams.
• Offer leadership and organizing skill-building for leaders and fellows: The Director will work with staff from across SSN departments, and outside trainers as needed, to design and facilitate orientation sessions and learning opportunities focused on effective chapter leadership, including chapter communications, leadership development strategies, facilitating meetings, and recruiting and engaging members.
• Create opportunities for peer-to-peer learning: The Director will provide opportunities for chapter leaders and fellows to connect with and learn from one another, including sharing practical strategies, challenges, and lessons learned across chapters. This includes organizing both virtual opportunities—like newsletters, email groups, and webinars—and in-person gatherings, like SSN’s National Convening.
• Participate in the planning of SSN’s National Convening: Along with other staff, the Director will contribute to the programming of SSN’s National Convening, a biennial gathering of SSN leaders and members. It is the responsibility of the Chapter & Membership team to make sure this event is member-driven and offers opportunities to gain new skills, showcase successes, and develop relationships with peers and non-academic stakeholders.
• Provide direct coaching and strategic guidance: The Director will work closely with chapter leaders through one-on-one and small group conversations, offering tailored advice, resources, and tools to have them navigate leadership challenges, engage members, set priorities, and make progress toward their chapter’s goals. . This work will also include advising groups of scholars interested in starting new SSN chapters.
• Support chapter planning, focus, and accountability: In collaboration with the Chapter Advisory Council and others on SSN’s staff, the Director will support chapters as they develop annual plans and budgets at the beginning of the academic year, helping leaders clarify priorities, focus their efforts, and use SSN resources strategically. The Director will maintain up-to-date records of chapter activities and will review progress periodically to ensure progress towards goals.
• Support recruitment and sustainability of chapter leadership: The Director will help chapters identify, recruit, and onboard new leaders and address leadership transitions, ensuring chapters have the support they need to remain active and effective over time.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a self-starter with a deep interest in making research matter and improving public policy. The ideal candidate would be:

• An individual with demonstrated organizing experience, including the ability to build relationships, support volunteers and volunteer leaders, and help groups prioritize and focus their work for impact
• An excellent writer and editor, capable of translating complex concepts into accessible language free of academic jargon.
• An able facilitator who is excited to teach others new skills and information.
• Comfortable with travel.
• Proficient in Google Drive, Dropbox, Salesforce (or other similar contact databases), and virtual meeting channels like Zoom.
• Committed to SSN’s mission and fully understanding of how to make use of SSN’s structure as a voluntary, federated network of member researchers.

Process

Job applications will be collected through Feb. 10th, and a 3-round interview process will commence and move expeditiously thereafter.

SSN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, class, color, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender, national origin, race, sexual orientation, or gender identity. People of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and women are strongly encouraged to apply. Candidates considering a career transition or whose skills and experience fulfill some, but not all of the qualifications above are encouraged to apply.