Associate Director Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society

The Ohio State University•Columbus, OH

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio State University's motto, "education for citizenship," is central to its mission. The Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society (Chase Center), established in 2023, is a multidisciplinary university center focused on teaching, research, and public programming related to Western civilization, American and Ohio political order, and responsible leadership and informed citizenship. As an independent academic unit and a leader in civic thought, the Center is rapidly growing. In its second year, it has a dynamic academic community with world-class faculty. The upcoming year will see the launch of its first major, three new academic programs, expanded course offerings, and deepened outreach through public events, professional development for K-12 educators, and study abroad opportunities. With a growing student community and strong financial support, the Center is on track for full maturity within three years. The Chase Center is conducting a nationwide search for up to two Associate Directors to join its leadership team and enhance its capacity, with a start date in Fall 2027 or earlier. The Associate Director will hold a tenured Full or Associate Professor position within the Chase Center. This role involves three primary functions: assisting the Executive Director in managing Center operations (with specific functions dependent on the Associate Director's interests and expertise), conducting scholarly research and teaching aligned with their expertise and the Center's mission, and building and maintaining strategic relationships with external scholars and peer institutions. The ideal candidate is an exceptional scholar with research and teaching experience in a field relevant to civic thought (such as law, philosophy, history, political theory, theology/religious studies, economics, literature, or sociology), actively engaged in the intellectual life of the Center and the University. They should be a public-spirited scholar committed to fostering an academic community where civic life and intellectual pursuits thrive, and embrace the Center's mission as defined by ORC § 3335.39. Salary and benefits are competitive. Candidates must be willing to work a flexible schedule and are expected to work primarily in person.

Requirements

Ph.D., J.D., or other terminal degree in a field related to the Center’s mission.
Experience in program administration in a higher education setting.
Record of publishing high-quality and impactful scholarship in prestigious academic outlets in the faculty member’s discipline and other impactful outlets.
Record of developing and effectively teaching courses that will advance the Center’s mission.

Nice To Haves

Experience developing a young academic or professional program or organization.
Experience engaging in development activities.
Excellent management and organizational skills—task oriented and deadline conscious.
Flexibility to adapt to changing goals and priorities.
Ability to independently assess, respond to, and follow up on inquiries, and advise faculty, students, donors, and guests.
Ability to interact comfortably and confidently with broad internal and external constituencies and maintain a professional demeanor in representing the Center and the University.
Relevant prior professional experience developing programming consistent with the Center’s mission, including (but not limited to) developing curriculum, activities that promote research productivity and innovation, academic community building, and activities that engage students and other community members.

Responsibilities

Contribute and demonstrate a commitment to the Chase Center’s statutory mission through administration, research, teaching, and service.
Work collaboratively and in a coordinated way with the Center’s Executive Director.
Build the Chase Center into an academic community that secures its mission through excellent teaching, research and scholarship, and service.
Continue to build a strong scholarly reputation in a discipline relevant to civic thought.
Publish high-quality and impactful scholarship in prestigious academic outlets in the faculty member’s discipline and other impactful outlets.
Develop and effectively teach courses that advance the Center’s mission.
Engage in service to the Chase Center, the University, and the broader community.
Demonstrate the ability to work independently, proactively handle issues, and make decisions benefiting the Center.
Demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills.
Demonstrate organization, attention to detail, and ability to respond to deadlines in a timely manner.
Demonstrate poise, professionalism, and good judgment.
Demonstrate adaptability to changing goals and priorities.