Director of Educational Programs – Institute for Humane Studies – Arlington, VA

The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) at George Mason University seeks a highly entrepreneurial, visionary Director of Educational Programs to lead its efforts to educate and inspire college students about the role of classical liberal ideals—individual liberty, free enterprise, and limited government—in advancing peace and prosperity. IHS seeks to grow its educational efforts aggressively over the next five years, ensuring that all thoughtful, future opinion leaders in the Millennial Generation encounter the ideas of liberty persuasively stated. We will do this by expanding and improving the yield of our in-person, intensive educational efforts; developing superior capabilities to deliver educational content via the Web; and facilitating the ability of our alumni and allies to reach many others.

Currently, IHS’s suite of educational programs includes: (1) a series of ten weeklong and one weekend summer seminars, educating approximately 750 participants across the U.S.; (2) a series of 16 weekend discussion seminars for 15 participants each; and (3) a growing experiment with on-campus, weekend seminars co-sponsored by local faculty on campuses across the U.S.

Day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Overseeing $1.6 million in programs, including strategic planning, budgeting, and day-to-day execution
• Working with the CEO and COO to recognize opportunities and to develop an aggressive growth strategy for this program area
• Contributing to fundraising proposals and reports
• Directing IHS’s flagship Summer Seminars program, coordinating the efforts of a large cross-organizational team
• Coordinating with IHS’s Marketing, Conference Management, and IT departments
• Managing, coaching, and mentoring a dedicated staff (currently five team members), and recruiting new, top talent for the department
• Guiding robust measurement and evaluation of all of IHS’s educational efforts
• Serving on IHS’s Management Team, helping to address strategic and operational issues throughout the year

IHS is interested in candidates who have a strong combination of the following qualifications: an entrepreneurial tilt, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experience in personnel management and strategic planning and execution, experience with education and pedagogy, and a deep knowledge of, and appreciation for, the classical liberal intellectual tradition.

This is a senior-level position and the salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition, IHS provides exceptional benefits to all employees, including health and dental insurance coverage (which includes paying 100 percent of the health insurance premium and tax-free reimbursement of all deductible expenses, and paying 100 percent of the dental insurance premium). IHS also provides all employees with flexible spending accounts, long-term disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings program, a parking permit, and annual tuition credits at George Mason University.

The Institute for Humane Studies, founded in 1961, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) educational organization that promotes the study of economic and individual freedom across a broad range of academic and professional disciplines. Each year IHS awards more than $600,000 in scholarships to students from universities around the world. IHS also holds free summer seminars; sponsors internships in public policy, journalism, and film production; and provides various forms of career assistance. Through these programs, IHS promotes open inquiry, critical thinking, rigorous scholarship, and creative problem solving.

The Institute for Humane Studies is located in Arlington, Virginia, just outside of Washington, D.C., two blocks from the Virginia Square metro stop (on the Orange Line). IHS is a flexible, professional, open office environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship and provides substantial opportunity for professional and personal growth.

To apply, send resume and cover letter (including salary expectations and expressing your philosophical interest in IHS) to claire@talentmarket.org.