Founding Executive Director of the Institute for Character and Leadership
Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, New Jersey, United States
Founding Executive Director of the Institute for Character and Leadership
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link. Job Title: Founding Executive Director of the Institute for Character and Leadership Campus: Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, NJ Department: Hiring Manager: Ben Freer Hiring Manager Title: Interim Dean College: Marion Turpan College of Psychology and Counseling Position Type: Executive Grade: Executive FLSA: Exempt Faculty Rank: No Response Salary: $230,000.00 This position provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes: employee tuition grant, health/dental/RX/vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plan contributions, employer paid life insurance and long term disability benefits, as well as various voluntary benefits including but not limited to supplemental life insurance, commuter benefits, long term care, and FSA / HSA. Status: Full-Time Months Worked: 12 Month Job Summary: The Founding Executive Director of the Institute for Character and Leadership (the Institute) reports to the Dean, College of Psychology and Counseling (CoPC). The role of the Founding Executive Director is to manage and oversee all aspects of the Institute and is responsible for the strategic planning, administration, and leadership of the Institute. This role includes serving as a senior leader in cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors, foundations, and corporate and community partners in support of the Institute’s mission and long-term sustainability. The Executive Director will work collaboratively with the Associate Director for Character and Associate Director of Leadership. Additionally, the Founding Executive Director will partner with administrators, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community to further define the identity of the Center and its role within the larger Humanics initiatives at FDU ; plan for its support through grants, fundraising, and stewardship goals; develop and organize services and activities sponsor events; increase interaction with external resources to address the needs of the College and University; and provide academic and personal advising, counseling, and guidance to students. In addition, the Founding Executive Director is expected to work closely with the University’s President and the Executive Leadership to ensure that the strategic goals of the Institute are aligned with and advance the University’s overall mission and priorities. The Founding Executive Director will work with students, faculty, and staff to develop conversation and campus vocabulary and understanding around issues of character and leadership. Responsibilities include: establishing the Institute for Character and Leadership; partnering with other areas of the university in character development, advancement and fundraising initiatives, and special events; supporting the Dean’s Advisory Boards and other university-wide Advisory Boards; and supporting The Empathy Center and the Stigma-Free Center, which will fall underneath the “Institute.” Required Qualifications: 1. Master’s degree required, preferably in appropriate field of liberal arts, humanities, psychology, business or a closely related field; doctorate preferred. 2. A minimum of five years professional administrative experience demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of the higher education environment. 3. Understanding of the role and functions of program development, grant/foundation work, and stewardship, preferably in higher education. 4. Ability to interact effectively with internal and external university constituents at all levels, including students, faculty, staff, senior administrators, alumni, donors and corporate executives. 5. Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills. 6. Computer proficiency for word processing, spreadsheet and data management applications. Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) preferred. 7. Valid driver’s license and accessibility to transportation for travel between campuses, and to visit external constituents. 8. Valid passport for occasional travel to international campus in Vancouver (Canada). 9. Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check. Candidates for hire will be required to sign a waiver authorizing a background check and produce a Social Security Card. Posting Date: 02/04/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants: Application Types Accepted: Application for Employment Supplemental Questions #J-18808-Ljbffr
Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening. To apply for the position, please click the
Apply for this Job
link/button. If you would like to bookmark this position for later review, click on the
Bookmark
link. To email this position to a friend, click on the
Email to a Friend
link. If you would like to print a copy of this position for your records, click on the
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link. Job Title: Founding Executive Director of the Institute for Character and Leadership Campus: Metropolitan Campus, Teaneck, NJ Department: Hiring Manager: Ben Freer Hiring Manager Title: Interim Dean College: Marion Turpan College of Psychology and Counseling Position Type: Executive Grade: Executive FLSA: Exempt Faculty Rank: No Response Salary: $230,000.00 This position provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes: employee tuition grant, health/dental/RX/vision insurance, paid time off, retirement plan contributions, employer paid life insurance and long term disability benefits, as well as various voluntary benefits including but not limited to supplemental life insurance, commuter benefits, long term care, and FSA / HSA. Status: Full-Time Months Worked: 12 Month Job Summary: The Founding Executive Director of the Institute for Character and Leadership (the Institute) reports to the Dean, College of Psychology and Counseling (CoPC). The role of the Founding Executive Director is to manage and oversee all aspects of the Institute and is responsible for the strategic planning, administration, and leadership of the Institute. This role includes serving as a senior leader in cultivating and maintaining relationships with donors, foundations, and corporate and community partners in support of the Institute’s mission and long-term sustainability. The Executive Director will work collaboratively with the Associate Director for Character and Associate Director of Leadership. Additionally, the Founding Executive Director will partner with administrators, students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community to further define the identity of the Center and its role within the larger Humanics initiatives at FDU ; plan for its support through grants, fundraising, and stewardship goals; develop and organize services and activities sponsor events; increase interaction with external resources to address the needs of the College and University; and provide academic and personal advising, counseling, and guidance to students. In addition, the Founding Executive Director is expected to work closely with the University’s President and the Executive Leadership to ensure that the strategic goals of the Institute are aligned with and advance the University’s overall mission and priorities. The Founding Executive Director will work with students, faculty, and staff to develop conversation and campus vocabulary and understanding around issues of character and leadership. Responsibilities include: establishing the Institute for Character and Leadership; partnering with other areas of the university in character development, advancement and fundraising initiatives, and special events; supporting the Dean’s Advisory Boards and other university-wide Advisory Boards; and supporting The Empathy Center and the Stigma-Free Center, which will fall underneath the “Institute.” Required Qualifications: 1. Master’s degree required, preferably in appropriate field of liberal arts, humanities, psychology, business or a closely related field; doctorate preferred. 2. A minimum of five years professional administrative experience demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of the higher education environment. 3. Understanding of the role and functions of program development, grant/foundation work, and stewardship, preferably in higher education. 4. Ability to interact effectively with internal and external university constituents at all levels, including students, faculty, staff, senior administrators, alumni, donors and corporate executives. 5. Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills. 6. Computer proficiency for word processing, spreadsheet and data management applications. Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) preferred. 7. Valid driver’s license and accessibility to transportation for travel between campuses, and to visit external constituents. 8. Valid passport for occasional travel to international campus in Vancouver (Canada). 9. Employment is contingent upon a satisfactory background check. Candidates for hire will be required to sign a waiver authorizing a background check and produce a Social Security Card. Posting Date: 02/04/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants: Application Types Accepted: Application for Employment Supplemental Questions #J-18808-Ljbffr