Program Associate, Mellon Mays Programs

Overview of ACLS

Formed a century ago, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is a nonprofit federation of 81 scholarly organizations.  As the leading representative of American scholarship in the humanities and social sciences, ACLS’s core principle is that knowledge is a public good. As such, ACLS strives to promote the circulation of humanistic knowledge throughout society. In addition to stewarding and representing its member organizations, ACLS employs its endowment and $34 million annual operating budget to support scholarship in the humanities and social sciences and to advocate for its central role in the twenty-first century.

Program Scope

Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program and Mellon Mays Graduate and Professional Initiatives

Emphasizing mentoring, research support, and student cohort building, the Mellon Mays programs partner with member colleges and universities to identify and support students of great promise and to help them become scholars and professionals of the highest distinction. The Mellon Mays staff at ACLS are currently responsible for:

• Coordinating annual grantmaking, programming, and reporting from 50 colleges, universities, and consortia in the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship network
• Developing strategies for outreach to Mellon fellows to maximize engagement
• Designing programming that is responsive to the changing landscape of graduate education and Mellon Mays alumni needs that aligns with the mission and goals of ACLS
• Documenting and assessing the 35-year history of the program

Job Summary

This role supports the Mellon Mays Programs within the Intentional Design for an Equitable Academy (IDEA) unit. Reporting to the Director of Mellon Mays Operations and Senior Program Officer, the Program Associate will support all administrative aspects of the Programs, including, but not limited to: the planning and organization of activities connected with these programs, maintenance and analysis of information and data, and the research and development of new programming. The program associate is often the first point of contact with program partners and communicates with current and past fellows on a range of subjects.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist with maintaining the accuracy, functionality, and integrity of program-related database records and ACLS web-based portals, including those associated with applications, fellows, and colleges and universities

• Process grant applications and track grant spending; process payments and reimbursements for program-related activities
• Maintain and update fellowship- and grant-related written materials on- and off-line

• Oversee web-based tools (Zoom) and produce materials for use in webinars
• Oversee annual updates/improvements to and day-to-day functionality of application system, including web portal-to-database interfaces and data imports, and creation and refinement of award materials and forms for recipients
• Assist events staff with organizing logistics for workshops and meetings on- and off-site
• Liaise with vendors for conference needs, such as transport, promotional materials, and catering
• Monitor program inbox and communicate with applicants and fellows, e.g., calls for applications, eligibility inquiries, acceptance/rejection letters, log memos, troubleshoot basic technical difficulties
• Manage program calendar and track deadlines using project management software
• Coordinate activities with other ACLS departments as necessary, including collaborating with web and information systems on technical projects and with communications on outreach
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a field of the humanities or related social sciences
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Keen organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize assignments in a deadline-driven environment
• Capacity to work both independently and collaboratively
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Willingness to try new tasks and learn skills on the job
• Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Word and Excel
• Reliability, humility, and a willingness to pitch in when necessary
• Experience with databases and event planning preferred
• An interest in the humanities, philanthropy, and higher education
• Must be willing and able to travel to multi-day events within the US 2- 3 times a year, and to staff infrequent after-hour and weekend events
• Some experience in an administrative capacity or office environment preferred
• Hybrid work schedule; location within easy commuting reach of New York City preferred

Salary and Benefits:

Base salary range: $50,000 - $55,000, commensurate with experience

ACLS offers a comprehensive benefits package; including medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and disability insurance; generous time off benefits; a retirement savings plan, including employer contributions; and professional development support.

Salary : $50,000 - $55,000