Executive Director, Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life – University of North Carolina

Description:

Located in the School of Information and Library Science (SILS), the Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP) is an interdisciplinary center that brings together principal investigators from SILS, the Hussman School of Journalism and Media, and the College of Arts and Science’s Department of Communication to address the roles mediated information plays in globally connected, digitally-mediated social systems. CITAP’s research team of faculty, postdoctoral researchers, visiting faculty, and graduate and undergraduate students will research questions of relevance to information quality, with a particular focus on algorithms, misinformation, polarization, propaganda, and political institutions. CITAP will also work closely with the School of Law and the UNC Center for Media Law and Policy. CITAP is committed to making research and data publicly available to inform technological development, journalistic best practices, and policymaking.

Reporting to the SILS Dean, the Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life (CITAP) is seeking a dynamic, motivated Executive Director (ED) to provide innovative and visionary leadership for a new research center examining issues of democracy, technology, and society at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The ED will provide strategic leadership to advance CITAP’s goals. To this end, s/he will collaborate with the CITAP Principal Investigators to determine and realize strategic research and outreach priorities, as well as represent CITAP’s mission and research to a broad set of audiences including academics, media, and the public. The ED will set development goals and interface with existing and potential funders. The ED is also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CITAP, including supervising staff, coordinating faculty and students, fundraising, strategic planning, budget management, communications, and internal and external programming. This is not a research position and the ED is not expected to conduct original research.

Principal Functions for the position are: Strategic planning and programming (20%), Revenue Generation (45%), Communications (20%) and supervision of staff, coordinating faculty and students (15%)

This position is contingent on CITAP funds. The current funding for the program totals $9.85 million across 6 years.

Qualifications:

• Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required; for candidates demonstrating comparable independent research productivity or professional-level background in sponsored research administration, will accept a relevant undergraduate degree and 3 or more years of relevant experience in substitution.
• MA/MS, JD, or PhD preferred, in communication, sociology, computer science, information science, political science, information policy, or related field desired.
• Ability to secure funding for center through fundraising and grant writing
• Experience with project and event management
• Understanding of social science research methods, including qualitative, interpretive, and computational approaches
• Ability to travel nationally and internationally from Chapel Hill to represent CITAP as needed at conferences and stakeholder meetings.
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills including public speaking
• The ideal candidate has experience working with academic research, civil society organizations, technology companies, and major foundations, with a record of successful development/fundraising
• A strong understanding of the social consequences of modern digital technology is preferred.
• Demonstrated interest in and knowledge of issues around technology and society including communication, marketing, and/or social media
• Prefer 5-10 years of experience in:
  • fundraising, development, or philanthropy as well as successful grant writing;
  • non-profit, advocacy, government, or civil society organizations;
  • policy or project management within technology corporations; or
  • an academic research department, institute, or center.

Application:

Interested applicants can view the posting here.