About the American Studies Association
The American Studies Association (ASA) is a non-profit national organization of researchers, teachers, students, writers, artists, curators, community organizers, and activists from around the world who are dedicated to the interdisciplinary study of U.S. culture and history in a global context. It is the oldest and largest professional scholarly organization of its kind. The ASA publishes a flagship peer-reviewed journal, American Quarterly; organizes an annual international meeting and facilitates regional events; provides resources relevant to and advocates issues reflective of a sizable, diverse membership; and collaborates with museums, public institutions, and communities on a variety of projects. The ASA values original research, teaching, critical thinking, public discussion, and collective dissent. Its members share a commitment to viewing U.S. history and culture from multiple perspectives and taking public positions on issues of societal significance.
The history of the ASAs advocacy is as long as the
history of the association
itself. As an organization that is concerned with structures of power and difference in the United States past and present, the ASA National Council has made public statements on pressing issues of the day and worked alongside its membership to sustain conversation and action through scholarship, programming, and collaboration with like-minded collectives. For examples of ASA statements, please visit
https://www.theasa.net/about/advocacy/resolutions-actions .
To learn more about ASA, please visit
https://www.theasa.net/about .
About the Executive Director Position
ASA seeks a diligent, intellectually curious, and principled Executive Director who brings deep experience in building and growing administrative infrastructure within small/growing nonprofit or academic organizations. Working collaboratively with and reporting to the ASA President and a twenty-member National Council, the ED will implement the vision and strategy of the Association as well as serve as the chief administrative officer, stewarding its organizational budget, overseeing day-to-day operations and supervising a talented team of three staff, including two Program Coordinators and a Graduate Assistant. The Executive Director will serve as a close thought partner to the President, providing the operational guidance and support to implement their strategic vision. Lastly, the ED will drive success for ASAs Annual Meeting, the organizations cornerstone event, which creates space for scholars ordinarily separated by disciplines, geographies, and professional barriers to come together, network, collaborate, and connect.
The ideal candidate is adept at building and cultivating relationships with academic leaders, community organizers, scholars, activists, and the heterogeneous constituencies represented by the Association. They will be deeply committed to ASAs mission, vision, and principles of justice and academic freedom. Finally, they are an intentional thinker who understands intersectional frameworks and is foundationally collaborativeseeking out the opinions of others, listening, and learning while centering voices and perspectives historically underrepresented in academia. This is a unique opportunity to shape ASAs current and future impact at a pivotal moment in its trajectory.
Key Responsibilities
In addition to the responsibilities below, the Executive Director may be asked to take on other roles and special projects as needed to support and enhance the work of the Association.
Organization mission and strategy: work collaboratively with elected leadership and other staff to ensure that ASAs mission is fulfilled through the Annual Meeting, American Quarterly, and other projects, and community outreach; partner with the President, Executive Committee, National Council, membership, staff, and other key stakeholders to set clear goals that guide ASAs strategic planning and priorities;
Relationship management: cultivate trusted relationships with the Executive Committee, National Council, Finance Committee, and ASA committees/caucuses, membership, staff, and key external partners, providing all information necessary for these and other relevant ASA bodies to function properly and to make informed decisions; engage productively with longstanding conference partners and facilitate new collaborations with vendors and other appropriate businesses; amplify ASAs public and professional profile by ensuring it is active and visible in the field and develops collaborative relationships with other professional, civic, and private organizations;
Board development: develop, maintain, and support a strong Executive Committee and National Council; serve as ex-officio of each ASA committee; seek and build board involvement with strategic direction for both ongoing operations, policies, and procedures;
Fundraising and resource development: ensure ASAs financial sustainability by strong management of the membership, close collaboration with the editors and publishers of American Quarterly in order to track associated revenue, and through cultivating existing funder relationships and generating new sources of revenue;
Financial management: set financial priorities, develop and monitor the budget, and ensure sound financial controls are in place; and
Team leadership and management: lead hiring, retention, and management of staff to support ASAs mission; develop employment and administrative policies and procedures for all functions and for the day-to-day operation of the organization.
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