Managing Director, Communities of Impact, Educating Character Initiative

Wake Forest University•Winston Salem, NC

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Educating Character Initiative (ECI), an initiative of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University, seeks a creative, collaborative, and experienced Managing Director to join a transformative effort for character education at U.S. colleges and universities. The Managing Director will work closely with the ECI senior leadership team and scholars to oversee a 3-year, grant-funded project supporting collective impact across the character education community. The Managing Director’s role on the project will be to lead efforts to develop and organize multiple Communities of Impact; oversee the implementation and quality of all ECI Communities of Impact (CoI) Grants; support CoI leaders as needed in facilitating the work of their groups; participate in a CoI Collaborative to coordinate efforts across Communities of Impact; coordinate quarterly reporting and communications with ECI project funders, ensuring that the project achieves its intended outputs and outcomes on budget and in a timely manner; supervise a four-member project staff; and work closely with the ECI team as well as researchers, scholars, and practitioners across the ECI Community to support collective learning, research, storytelling, and the development of a collective learning platform for individuals and institutions in the ECI Community. This project extends the mission of the ECI to catalyze a movement in character education at colleges and universities across the U.S. Since its launch, the ECI has built a community of character among over 2,000 individuals and 700 organizations and institutions; awarded over $35 million in grants to our partners; hosted educational and community-building webinars, conferences, convenings and other events; and become a significant presence in character education around the world. We welcome applications from scholars, administrators, and program leaders with expertise in higher education, project management, character, and/or character education. To apply, please provide (1) a cover letter detailing your relevant expertise and interest in the position, (2) a curriculum vitae or resume, and (3) a list of at least three professional references, including at least one current or former supervisor. Applications submitted by May 1, 2026 will receive priority consideration. The grant-funded position has a three-year term. Candidates who wish to work remotely will be considered. Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to academic excellence in liberal arts, graduate and professional education. Located in Winston-Salem, NC (“The City of Arts and Innovation”), the University has a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world, as indicated by the motto Pro Humanitate (for humanity), which encourages students to develop the qualities of human character needed to serve humanity. With the aim to educate the whole person, the University has established an innovative Program for Leadership and Character that plans creative, liberal arts-based programming to help students develop the virtues of character needed to lead in an increasingly complex world. The Educating Character Initiative (ECI), a project of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University, made possible by generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc., seeks to catalyze a movement for character education at colleges and universities across the United States. Through our work in grantmaking, collective learning, and community engagement, we equip institutions of higher education with the funding, resources, and support necessary to integrate character into their distinctive institutional contexts, curricula, and cultures. Our broad aspiration is to enable institutions of higher education to become communities of character that form students, staff, and faculty to act with character and for the common good. For quick facts about the University, see http://www.wfu.edu/visitors/quickfacts.html. For more on the Program for Leadership and Character, see https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/. For more on the ECI, see https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/eci/. For additional information, please contact [email protected].

Requirements

Master's degree, plus 2-5 years of experience in higher education program administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience
A demonstrated record of experience in overseeing administrative operations and developing organizational systems
Proven leadership experience in management of complex budgets
Excellence in project management and the ability to lead cross-functional teams
Strong understanding of university administrative structures and processes
Superior communication skills and the ability to effectively represent the program to diverse stakeholders
Exceptional problem-solving abilities and sound judgment in complex situations
Demonstrated abilities to work constructively on teams and in cross-institutional collaborations, including excellent administrative and interpersonal skills, with accuracy and attention to detail; effective and thoughtful communication with people across multiple institutions, disciplines, and skill sets; and a clear commitment to building community with a wide range of individuals at Wake Forest University, across the ECI Community, and beyond.
Exceptional written, oral, and visual communication skills.
Experience working with a higher education context, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of academic cultures, rules, and regulations.
Excellent organizational and time management skills, including the ability to juggle competing demands, work efficiently, and deliver high-quality work while adhering to deadlines.
Commitment to supporting the intellectual and moral development of university students, faculty, and staff.
Good character, sound judgment, and a strong work ethic.
Openness to feedback and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
Ability to represent the programs and the university in a professional manner.
Ability to work occasional weekend or evening hours as needed.
Some travel may be required.

Responsibilities

Implement a strategic vision for the ECI Communities of Impact project, ensuring alignment with the mission and goals of the Educating Character Initiative (ECI) and the Program for Leadership and Character.
Oversee the implementation of all Communities of Impact (CoI) grants, ensuring high-quality processes for submission, grant evaluation, contract execution, delivery of funds, and reporting structures.
Develop and manage systems for monitoring project progress, evaluating outcomes, and maintaining accountability across multiple CoIs and related activities.
Collaborate with the ECI leadership team to ensure that the project’s design, implementation, and outputs advance collective impact in character education across higher education.
Execute a project management plan for a team dedicated to the Communities of Impact initiative, fostering collaboration and a good team culture.
Supervise a team of staff for the execution of the Communities of Impact project, including one administrative coordinator, two postdoctoral fellows, and one research and resources coordinator.
Lead the design, development, and facilitation of communities of impact that empower faculty, staff, and institutional leaders to advance character education in their distinct contexts.
Collaborate with the senior leadership team to implement a strategic plan for community building that expands and strengthens the ECI Community through engagement, collaboration, and shared learning.
Build and maintain strong relationships with partner institutions, CoI leaders, and emerging scholars to promote a culture of collaboration across the ECI Community.
Coordinate with research and character scholars to connect community-building work with ongoing research, resource creation, and collective learning efforts.
Plan and facilitate gatherings, workshops, and convenings that foster collaboration, resource development, and shared reflection across the ECI Community.
Serve as the primary program partner for CoI grants, providing oversight, guidance, and support for grantees to ensure high-quality implementation and compliance with grant expectations.
Collect, review, and synthesize reports and updates from CoI grantees to assess progress toward outputs and outcomes and inform project strategy.
Prepare and submit quarterly and annual progress reports for the project funders, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and timeliness.
Maintain communication and positive working relationships with foundation partners.
Collaborate with finance and administrative staff to manage budgets and ensure responsible stewardship of grant resources.
Engage with research teams to design and implement strategies that integrate scholarship, public engagement, and practice across the ECI Community.
Oversee the development and maintenance of a collective learning platform to organize and disseminate research findings, practical tools, and resources for educators and institutions.
Support efforts to curate, document, and share the learning and innovations emerging from CoIs and partner institutions.
Encourage collaboration among researchers, scholars, and practitioners to produce insights and resources that advance the field of character education.