Strategic Campaigns Director at American Association of University Professors

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, and
• 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 LGBTQl-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.

This job description is not designed or intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Activities, duties, and responsibilities may change, or new ones 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 vacations 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. This 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 are 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.