Director of Membership and Network Relations

Scholars at Risk (SAR) seeks a Research Scientist/Director of Membership and Network Relations (“Director”) with overall responsibility for SAR network membership growth and engagement of SAR’s international member institutions, national sections, and partner networks. The role calls for an exceptionally strong manager with a strategic vision and keen research and relationship-building skills. Reporting to the Deputy Director, the Director will promote the organization’s mission and help implement the strategic plan with an immediate emphasis on growing SAR’s US national section and deepening engagement with SAR’s 15 national sections. Fostering a culture of strategic efficiency, teamwork, and network-wide collaboration, the Director will directly supervise the membership team, including remote staff, with primary responsibility for conceiving of and implementing SAR’s engagement events and membership outreach campaigns, including research oversight and membership revenue generation and tracking. This role is based in New York City and may involve occasional domestic or international travel.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Member engagement & relationship management (30%)

• Develop and implement strategies aligned with SAR’s strategic plan to cultivate and deepen relationships with key stakeholders across the SAR network.
• Contribute to and oversee research across the higher education, human rights, and adjacent sectors to advance SAR’s promotion of academic freedom and related values across its membership.
• Promote engagement in mission-centric opportunities of universities, colleges, academic associations and societies, faculty, and students, including engagement in activities beyond hosting scholars such as student advocacy seminars, legal clinics, scholar support workshops, academic freedom webinars and training sessions, research projects, publications, and solidarity campaigns.
• With the Director of SAR Europe and SAR’s International Advisory Committee, strengthen collaborations within and between SAR national sections and partner networks.
• Oversee the further development of the SAR US section in particular, with key support directed at the section’s steering committee, enhancing the section’s communication and engagement strategies, including the conception and implementation of regional meetings and events.
• Design an outreach strategy to encourage widespread participation in SAR’s Global Congress, a biennial convening of over 200 members and partners worldwide; help develop key programming, including expert panels and attendant cultivation events.

Prospective member outreach and new member onboarding (30%)

• Develop and implement regionally targeted outreach efforts to grow the SAR network with immediate emphasis on US prospects.
• Identify and initiate opportunities for collaboration outside the SAR network.
• Evaluate programs and services to make recommendations for encouraging new membership.
• Represent SAR at conferences, events, and meetings to explore and pursue new partnerships.
• Identify new opportunities to enhance participation of SAR scholar alumni, academic associations, and volunteers in SAR’s work.
• Oversee membership invoicing, revenue forecasting, tracking, and reporting.

Communications and Data Management (20%)

• Contribute communications strategies and tools to increase the visibility of the SAR network through social media, press outreach, e-blasts, mailings, websites, and other platforms.
• Assess and adjust as necessary SAR’s use of its CRM system to increase efficiencies and ensure accurate records to improve membership tracking and reporting.
• Manage and contribute to internal and external reports including SAR’s annual report, Board reports, and donor reports.
• Oversee the development, distribution, and reporting of SAR’s member survey, determining its frequency, dissemination, analysis, and related communications.

Supervision and General Management (20%)

• Supervise the membership team, including goals-setting, mid-year and annual reviews.
• Identify career development and training opportunities for the team and its individual members.
• Partner with SAR directors to cultivate cross-team collaboration and mitigate internal silos.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree in a related field, or extensive comparable experience required.
• Five years of related work experience in a non-profit or higher education setting, particularly network building or membership management, or a combination of related education/experience.
• Previous network-building, membership/communications/marketing experience required.
• Demonstrated team and project management required.
• Skilled in relationship cultivation and management.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize and distill complex information for general audiences.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Proficiency in public speaking and delivering presentations.
• Exceptional writing and editorial skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to human rights and/or international education.
• Fluency in an additional language preferred, Spanish and/or French desirable.

DEADLINE FOR INITIAL APPLICATION REVIEW IS MARCH 23, 2025.

Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis, until the position is filled. No phone calls or email inquiries, please.