Strategic Campaigns Director
KENTUCKY SOCIETY OF ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVES INC, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
American Association of University Professors
Department of Research and Public Policy
Strategic Campaigns Director—Remote
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is a fast‑growing union of higher education workers with 55,000 members at colleges and universities nationwide. We invite applications for a Strategic Campaigns Director who is committed to building a powerful and democratic union that fights for workers over billionaires. AAUP is uniting and mobilizing the higher‑ed sector against increasing partisan attacks. We aim to protect college and university teaching and research, defend academic freedom, launch revenue campaigns to fund debt‑free college, strengthen the higher education labor movement by forging cross‑sector solidarity, and defend democracy itself against authoritarian encroachment. The Strategic Campaigns Director will play a critical role leading AAUP’s capital strategies efforts.
We are looking for a candidate who can:
develop and drive campaigns incorporating capital strategies in higher education
engage and educate members to connect local fights to national challenges
power contract campaigns using data and other research
work cross‑functionally within AAUP and in collaboration with coalition partners to achieve strategic objectives
This is a one‑year Special Appointment position. Special Appointment positions are short‑term appointments (not to exceed two years) for the purpose of fulfilling clearly defined, temporary projects, including but not limited to organizing assignments, pilot programs, and grant‑funded projects. Renewal of the position for a second year is likely but dependent on funding.
The AAUP is committed to a diverse workforce and strives to achieve a workplace environment respectful of the many cultures of our own employees and the higher education workers we represent, including a significant number of African‑American, Asian‑American/Pacific Islander, and Latinx employees, as well as LGBTQ‑identified employees, and those who have immigrated from various countries. The AAUP values the benefits that diversity brings to the faculty profession and the labor movement. We seek applicants whose experience and perspective will contribute to strong representation of our diverse members.
Duties and Responsibilities
The position will include the following responsibilities:
In direct consultation with elected leadership, develop and execute strategic campaigns focused on building power for higher education workers
Monitor emerging developments relevant to capital strategies
Foster relationships with coalition partners and counterparts in other organizations, and represent AAUP to other labor unions and higher education advocacy organizations on issues of shared concern
Identify opportunities for campaign escalations
Draft and share regular campaign updates for AAUP member communications, including opportunities for local chapters to take action
Brief field staff who organize and mobilize members in priority geographies
Conduct workshops for AAUP members and chapter leaders
Attend to racial justice and other matters of equity in higher education to ensure they are sustained priorities in AAUP’s agenda
Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
Ability to perform all of the above
Five or more years of work experience in a similar role
Demonstrable success designing and implementing strategic campaigns
Experience working with digital research tools
Superior written and oral communication skills and computer proficiency skills—including familiarity with MS Office
Commitment to racial equity
Associate degree
Valid driver’s license
Ability to travel domestically several times per year for meetings with elected leaders, chapter members, and field staff
Ability to work evening and weekend hours when required for events, travel, or deadlines
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with labor unions
Expertise in higher education policy at the state or federal level
Demonstrated experience advancing racial equity
BA or advanced degree
These responsibilities are not exhaustive; new duties may be assigned during the course of employment.
Compensation
Salary range: $150,000 – $170,000. AAUP offers a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance; paid sick days; paid vacation days; and 401(k).
Position Classification
This full‑time Special Appointment Senior Program Officer position is categorized as management/supervisory and is excluded from the staff bargaining unit. It is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime pay.
Work Location
This position is remote and does not require relocation. However, the Director will travel to AAUP’s Washington, D.C., office, to AAUP events, and occasionally to in‑person work sites on college and university campuses nationwide, sometimes on short notice.
To Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and include the names and contact information of three references; all application material is required. No phone calls or recruiters please. Review of applications will begin immediately. Full consideration of applications will be given to applications submitted by May 1 2026. If necessary, applications submitted after May 1 2026 may be considered on a rolling basis until May 17 2026.
The AAUP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, homelessness, or other characteristics unrelated to professional performance. (EEO Know Your Rights | Family Medical Leave Act)
Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Department of Research and Public Policy
Strategic Campaigns Director—Remote
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) is a fast‑growing union of higher education workers with 55,000 members at colleges and universities nationwide. We invite applications for a Strategic Campaigns Director who is committed to building a powerful and democratic union that fights for workers over billionaires. AAUP is uniting and mobilizing the higher‑ed sector against increasing partisan attacks. We aim to protect college and university teaching and research, defend academic freedom, launch revenue campaigns to fund debt‑free college, strengthen the higher education labor movement by forging cross‑sector solidarity, and defend democracy itself against authoritarian encroachment. The Strategic Campaigns Director will play a critical role leading AAUP’s capital strategies efforts.
We are looking for a candidate who can:
develop and drive campaigns incorporating capital strategies in higher education
engage and educate members to connect local fights to national challenges
power contract campaigns using data and other research
work cross‑functionally within AAUP and in collaboration with coalition partners to achieve strategic objectives
This is a one‑year Special Appointment position. Special Appointment positions are short‑term appointments (not to exceed two years) for the purpose of fulfilling clearly defined, temporary projects, including but not limited to organizing assignments, pilot programs, and grant‑funded projects. Renewal of the position for a second year is likely but dependent on funding.
The AAUP is committed to a diverse workforce and strives to achieve a workplace environment respectful of the many cultures of our own employees and the higher education workers we represent, including a significant number of African‑American, Asian‑American/Pacific Islander, and Latinx employees, as well as LGBTQ‑identified employees, and those who have immigrated from various countries. The AAUP values the benefits that diversity brings to the faculty profession and the labor movement. We seek applicants whose experience and perspective will contribute to strong representation of our diverse members.
Duties and Responsibilities
The position will include the following responsibilities:
In direct consultation with elected leadership, develop and execute strategic campaigns focused on building power for higher education workers
Monitor emerging developments relevant to capital strategies
Foster relationships with coalition partners and counterparts in other organizations, and represent AAUP to other labor unions and higher education advocacy organizations on issues of shared concern
Identify opportunities for campaign escalations
Draft and share regular campaign updates for AAUP member communications, including opportunities for local chapters to take action
Brief field staff who organize and mobilize members in priority geographies
Conduct workshops for AAUP members and chapter leaders
Attend to racial justice and other matters of equity in higher education to ensure they are sustained priorities in AAUP’s agenda
Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
Ability to perform all of the above
Five or more years of work experience in a similar role
Demonstrable success designing and implementing strategic campaigns
Experience working with digital research tools
Superior written and oral communication skills and computer proficiency skills—including familiarity with MS Office
Commitment to racial equity
Associate degree
Valid driver’s license
Ability to travel domestically several times per year for meetings with elected leaders, chapter members, and field staff
Ability to work evening and weekend hours when required for events, travel, or deadlines
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with labor unions
Expertise in higher education policy at the state or federal level
Demonstrated experience advancing racial equity
BA or advanced degree
These responsibilities are not exhaustive; new duties may be assigned during the course of employment.
Compensation
Salary range: $150,000 – $170,000. AAUP offers a generous benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance; paid sick days; paid vacation days; and 401(k).
Position Classification
This full‑time Special Appointment Senior Program Officer position is categorized as management/supervisory and is excluded from the staff bargaining unit. It is an exempt position and is not eligible for overtime pay.
Work Location
This position is remote and does not require relocation. However, the Director will travel to AAUP’s Washington, D.C., office, to AAUP events, and occasionally to in‑person work sites on college and university campuses nationwide, sometimes on short notice.
To Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and include the names and contact information of three references; all application material is required. No phone calls or recruiters please. Review of applications will begin immediately. Full consideration of applications will be given to applications submitted by May 1 2026. If necessary, applications submitted after May 1 2026 may be considered on a rolling basis until May 17 2026.
The AAUP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, homelessness, or other characteristics unrelated to professional performance. (EEO Know Your Rights | Family Medical Leave Act)
Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr