About The Main Line Center
The Main Line Center is a new, joint nonprofit venture between the Blue Ridge Center (BRC) and the Open Discourse Coalition (ODC). BRC and ODC have hosted hundreds of events expanding intellectual dialogue for students at the University of Virginia, Bucknell University, and other campuses since 2020. They now plan to launch the Main Line Center to bring such programming regularly to the constellation of colleges and universities in Philadelphia’s western suburbs. The Center will be located along the commercial thoroughfare of Lancaster Avenue, immediately adjacent to Bryn Mawr College, Eastern University, Haverford College, Swarthmore College, and Villanova University, and within reach of dozens of other campuses.

About the Role
The Director will lead the launch and day-to-day operation of the Main Line Center, planning and hosting programs such as lectures, seminars, reading groups, and student discussions. The role combines program management, relationship-building with faculty and administrators at partner institutions, and direct engagement with students across multiple campuses. The Director will also serve as the on-the-ground representative of BRC and ODC in the Philadelphia area.

The ideal candidate will have at least 5 years of related experience and be an entrepreneurial self-starter who enjoys building relationships, organizing programs, and engaging in substantive conversations about ideas.

This is a full-time role based in Bryn Mawr, PA. The Director will report to the President of BRC, Dr. Gerard Alexander, and work closely with both sponsoring organizations, as well as with interested faculty and student organizations on nearby campuses.

Core Responsibilities

Program Leadership

  • Plan, organize, and host a range of programs, including lectures, small seminars, reading groups, and student discussions.
  • Work with faculty and guest speakers to develop intellectually serious and engaging programming.
  • Ensure events are well run, welcoming, and conducive to thoughtful conversation.

Campus Partnerships

  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with faculty and administrators at partner institutions.
  • Work closely with existing college and university partners.
  • Identify and cultivate partnerships with additional colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area.

Student Engagement

  • Recruit students to participate in programs across multiple campuses.
  • Build a network of engaged students who participate regularly and invite others.
  • Foster an environment where students feel comfortable discussing ideas and forming intellectual community.

Community Building

  • Establish the Main Line Center as a hub for discussion and programming open to students from multiple institutions.
  • Host events and gatherings that bring together participants from different campuses.
  • Maintain a welcoming and active intellectual space.
  • Cultivate an ongoing community of students, faculty, and speakers connected to the programs.
  • Serve as the on-the-ground representative of ODC and BRC in Philadelphia.
  • Represent the organizations with professionalism, integrity, and intellectual curiosity.

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of experience in higher education, nonprofit program management, or a related field.
  • Alignment with and interest in promoting intellectual diversity and open discourse.
  • Highly relational and naturally inclined to build strong personal connections.
  • Credible and comfortable interacting with faculty members and visiting speakers.
  • Approachable and relatable to students from a variety of backgrounds.
  • A strong self-starter who takes initiative and thrives with autonomy.
  • Extremely trustworthy and capable of exercising good judgment.
  • Entrepreneurial and excited to help build a growing program.
  • Organized and capable of managing multiple programs and relationships at once.
  • Intellectually curious and comfortable engaging in substantive conversations about ideas.

How to Apply
To apply, qualified individuals should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:

  • Cover letter including:
    • An introductory paragraph(s) describing three distinct reasons you are drawn to the Center’s mission and how you came to those beliefs.
    • Salary requirements
  • Resume

Applications should be submitted to Talent Market via this link: talentmarket.org/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].

There is no application deadline for this position. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This job will remain posted on our site until it is filled.

While we thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, we are only able to contact those to whom we can offer an interview. Only direct applications will be considered. No phone calls, please.

Talent Market, the liberty movement’s talent agency, is a nonprofit that connects liberty-minded professionals with free-market nonprofit jobs at no cost to candidates or organizations. We work with 501(c)(3) 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. Visit Talent Market to explore open roles, join our talent network, or work with us on your next hire.