The American Association of University Professors (AAUP), a fast-growing union of higher education workers, is pleased to announce a professional position for a Campaign Director, to be filled as soon as possible. Our goal is to unite and mobilize the higher ed sector against increasing partisan attacks. We aim to protect college and university teaching and research by protecting the jobs of instructors and researchers, strengthen the labor movement by forging cross-sector solidarity, and defend democracy itself against authoritarian encroachment. The Campaign Director will play a critical role in mounting our defense.
The Campaign Director will work with AAUP elected leaders, staff, and coalition partners to design and implement AAUP’s national coalitional strategy for fighting back against funding cuts, political threats and intimidation, interference with academic freedom, and job losses. The Campaign Director will plan and execute a strategic campaign that elevates and activates AAUP members, higher education workers more broadly, and the stakes of the ongoing attacks on colleges and universities. A successful candidate will be an effective strategist, a skilled organizer, an excellent communicator, a collaborative leader, and someone capable of operating independently and using good judgment. This is an opportunity to shape the future of our democracy at a crucially important time for the AAUP, higher education, and the labor movement. The Campaign Director will travel widely to meet with and work on-site with AAUP members and other stakeholders. The Campaign Director will work under the direction of AAUP’s Executive Director.
This is a one-year Special Appointment position covered by the AAUP-United Staff of AAUP collective bargaining agreement. Renewal of the position for a second year is possible dependent on funding. Special Appointment positions are short-term appointments (not to exceed two years) for the purpose of fulfilling clearly defined, temporary projects, including but not limited to organizing assignments, pilot programs, and grant-funded projects.
The AAUP is committed to a diverse workforce and strives to achieve a workplace environment respectful of the many cultures of our own employees and the higher education workers we represent, including a significant number of African-American, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, and Latinx employees, as well as LGBTQl-identified employees, and those who have immigrated from various countries. The AAUP values the benefits that diversity brings to the faculty profession and the labor movement. We seek applicants whose experience and perspective will contribute to strong representation of our diverse members.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Campaign Director will be expected to:
Develop and implement a campaign to escalate the fight back against attacks on higher education.
Integrate AAUP organizing, political, litigation, and communication strategies into the campaign.
Coordinate AAUP member, staff, and coalition partner activity on key issues.
Help unify higher education workers across states, institutions, and job classifications.
Track progress toward campaign goals and reorient the campaign when necessary.
Attend coalition meetings and liaise with AAUP coalition partners.
Work cooperatively with AAUP members and staff to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the United States, to work long, irregular hours and weekends as needed, and to accept lengthy field assignments in different locations. This is a national position and requires an ability to travel and work throughout the country.
Understanding of the urgent issues, pressures, and problems currently facing higher education workers nationwide.
Understanding of the political context in which higher education workers are organizing.
Ability to identify strategic opportunities for change.
Experience developing and implementing strategic campaigns.
Experience coordinating meetings, workshops, and other convenings.
Experience with organizing in a team-based environment.
Experience working with coalitions of education, union, public sector, and/or public interest workers .
Strong written, communication, research, and analytical skills.
Associate degree required; BA or advanced degree preferred.
Commitment to racial equity required; demonstrated experience with racial equity or DEI initiatives preferred.
Valid Driver’s License.
Compensation
Salary range: $99,761 to 119,224. Generous benefits package, including health insurance and 401(K).
Position Classification
This position is categorized as a one-year Special Appointment Senior Program Officer in the Department of Organizing and is part of the staff union bargaining unit. This is an exempt position and not eligible for overtime pay.
Work Location
This position is remote with multiple in-person work sites nationwide.
To Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and the names and contact information for three references. The cover letter, resume, and references are all required. No phone calls or recruiters please. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
The AAUP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, homelessness, or other characteristics unrelated to professional performance. (EEO Know Your Rights | Family Medical Leave Act | Employee Polygraph Protection Act).
About American Association of University Professors
The mission of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is to advance academic freedom and shared governance; to define fundamental professional values and standards for higher education; to promote the economic security of faculty, academic professionals, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and all those engaged in teaching and research in higher education; to help the higher education community organize to make our goals a reality; and to ensure higher education's contribution to the common good. Founded in 1915, the AAUP has helped to shape American higher education by developing the standards and procedures that maintain quality in education and academic freedom in this country's colleges and universities.
