About The Blue Ridge Center
The Blue Ridge Center is a fast-growing nonprofit organization that helps University of Virginia students achieve a deeper and more rounded education. The Blue Ridge team is developing one of the most innovative approaches to providing viewpoint diversity on America’s campuses. Already one of the largest intellectual-diversity projects operating in any U.S. college setting, Blue Ridge promotes four core values: viewpoint diversity, open discourse, intellectual humility, and empathetic engagement. We develop programming designed to fill gaps in course topics, frameworks, and thinkers and readings, by organizing public events, reading groups, workshops, and other activities.
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly motivated, entrepreneurial-minded individual to serve as the Director of the Blue Ridge Center. Reporting to the President, the Director will be responsible for helping plan the organization’s strategy and leading its day-to-day operations, which includes managing the Assistant Director, coordinating the Center’s academic programs, and building relationships within the university and the wider community. The selected candidate will be a primary “face” of the organization to members of the University of Virginia community, representing our mission and values.
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with the team to identify gaps in intellectual content and academic discourse and develop programs to fill them.
- Manage operational matters like resource allocation, and basic administrative tasks such as use of the office and meeting space.
- Recruit and manage student volunteers and paid helpers for events and initiatives.
- Act as the primary liaison with the university community, fostering relationships with students, faculty, and administrators.
- Manage the organization’s database and analyze data to track progress and inform decision-making.
- Lead marketing efforts, exercising close oversight over marketing emails and texts, social media accounts, and other promotional initiatives.
- Serve as host of the organization’s programs, including kicking off public events, reading groups, workshops, and other initiatives.
- Provide leadership and supervision to the Assistant Director.
- Work with the organization’s back-office vendors to help supervise its financial health.
Qualifications
- 4+ years of experience, including proven project management experience
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- Previous experience in nonprofit management is a plus.
- Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity of thought and fostering open dialogue.
- Strong organizational and project management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Some tech-savviness required. Proficiency in database management, email marketing, and social media is a plus, but can be learned on the job. Experience with HubSpot is a plus, but not required.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative.
- Creative thinker with an interest in problem-solving and in building out a relatively young but ambitious organization that is innovating in unique ways.
- Ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and environments.
- Commitment to the mission and values of the Blue Ridge Center.
Additional Information
This is a full-time, in-person position. Occasional evening commitments are required during the academic year. Outside of the academic schedule, there is flexibility regarding remote work. No travel is required.
The ideal candidate must possess a high level of creativity and initiative. This role encourages experimentation and requires someone who is both passionate and ambitious.
The ideal start date for this position is in June, with a training period before fully taking over the current Director’s responsibilities by the end of July.
The Blue Ridge Center is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds.
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials (in order) in one PDF document:
- Resume
- Cover letter detailing your interest in the position and the mission of The Blue Ridge Center, a brief overview of your project management experience, and your salary requirements
Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: https://talentmarket.org/candidates/apply-for-your-dream-job/
Questions can be directed to Stephanie Keaveney, Senior Manager of Outreach at Talent Market, who is managing the search process: [email protected].
Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.
Talent Market is a nonprofit entity dedicated to promoting liberty by helping free-market nonprofits identify talent for critical roles. We provide consulting and recruiting services at no cost to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations that clearly and directly focus on advancing the principles of economic freedom, free enterprise, free trade, free speech, property rights, rule of law, and limited regulation.