Director of University Programs at Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting – Washington, District of Columbia

About the Pulitzer Center

The Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting is an award-winning nonprofit journalism organization that sponsors independent reporting on global issues that mainstream media often overlook. Our education and engagement programs bring this journalism into classrooms, universities, and communities worldwide, using storytelling as a tool for understanding complex challenges and inspiring action.

Our Campus Consortium is a network of 35+ universities nationwide that connects academic communities to breakthrough journalism on critical global issues. Through partnerships spanning journalism schools, research institutes, and diverse academic departments, the Consortium reaches thousands of students annually through fellowships, civic engagement programs, and cross-sector dialogues that bridge academia, media, and civil society. Learn more at https://pulitzercenter.org/campus-consortium.

About the roleThe Pulitzer Center seeks a visionary leader to drive the next evolution of our university partnerships—creating innovative, scalable programs that harness journalism to connect students across all disciplines for purpose, civic identity, and global understanding.

As Director of University Programs, you'll lead the Campus Consortium, our flagship initiative. You'll design new ways to reach STEM students grappling with AI ethics, health students exploring global health equity, humanities students connecting climate narratives to lived experience–helping equip students for future careers and to find meaning and connection in today’s fragmented world.

We're looking for an entrepreneurial strategist who can envision how universities become civic journalism hubs where research, storytelling, and community engagement intersect. Someone who sees journalism not as just content, but as a catalyst for critical thinking, dialogue, and social change.

If you're energized by the challenge of scaling impact, building cross-sector partnerships, and creating models that didn't exist before, this role offers remarkable creative freedom and strategic influence.

Responsibilities

Partnership Development & Growth

Expand and diversify university partnerships, with intentional focus on Minority-Serving Institutions, community colleges, and regional public universitiesCultivate relationships with decision-makers across diverse academic units: provosts' offices, academic departments, research institutes, student affairs, engagement officesServe as primary liaison to Development team, contributing to fundraising strategy, proposal development, and donor stewardshipBuild strategic alliances with professional associations and academic networks to amplify reachDesign tiered partnership models accommodating varying institutional capacities and interestsStrategic Vision & Innovation

Design flexible, scalable partnership models that serve universities across all disciplines— emphasizing growth beyond journalism schoolsLead the evolution of three complementary initiatives: Civic Journalism Hub (supporting journalism students and schools), Purpose Project (engaging broad student audiences seeking connection and civic identity), and Bridge Project (connecting researchers, journalists, and communities)Position journalism as a framework for critical inquiry on pressing issues: climate change, artificial intelligence, public health, democracy, and moreCollaborate with senior leadership to set strategic direction and ensure alignment with organizational missionProgram Leadership & Team Management

Lead and mentor a 3-person team (Manager and Coordinator), setting clear priorities and fostering professional growthOversee portfolio spanning membership programs, student fellowships, engagement initiatives, and cross-sector collaborationsEnsure program quality while encouraging experimentation and innovationCoordinate with Engagement, Editorial, Communications, Development, and Operations teamsFinancial & Administrative Leadership

Oversee program budgets ensuring alignment with strategic goals and grant deliverablesDevelop diversified revenue models: membership fees, program fees, sponsorships, grantsMonitor sustainability and recommend strategic adjustmentsContribute to annual planning and evaluation processesRequired Qualifications7-10 years of progressive experience in higher education partnerships, program development, nonprofit management, or related fieldsProven track record designing and scaling innovative programs or initiativesStrategic thinking combined with operational excellence and execution disciplineRelationship management expertise with ability to cultivate partnerships at all organizational levelsExcellent communication skills (written and verbal) with ability to articulate complex ideas compellinglyBudget management and revenue development experienceEntrepreneurial mindset with comfort navigating ambiguity and building new modelsCommitment to equity and inclusion and experience working across diverse communitiesPreferred QualificationsExperience working in or closely with higher education institutionsKnowledge of journalism, media literacy, or civic engagement programmingGrant writing and fundraising experienceExperience with cross-sector collaboration (academia, journalism, civil society)Understanding of contemporary higher education trends (student engagement, retention, well-being, belonging)Established network within higher educationFamiliarity with issues including climate change, AI, global health, democracySuccess MetricsYour impact will be measured by:

Partnership Growth: Expansion in number and diversity of university partnerships, particularly beyond journalism schools and with underserved institutionsDisciplinary Reach: Successful penetration into new academic disciplines (STEM, health, social sciences, humanities, arts, etc.)Revenue Generation: Growth in diversified revenue streams and overall program sustainabilityPartner Satisfaction: High retention rates, renewal rates, and satisfaction scores from institutional partnersStudent Engagement: Increased student reach across program portfolio with demonstrated impact on learning outcomes, civic engagement, and sense of purposeProgram Quality: Consistent delivery of high-quality partnership experiences with documented outcomesInnovation: Development and testing of new program models and partnership approachesTeam Development: Effectiveness and growth of direct reportsCompensation & BenefitsSalary Range: $95,000 - $120,000 annually, commensurate with experience.Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, generous PTO, professional development support and more.Flexible work arrangements: Remote work arrangement with flexibility for work-life balance

This position is fully remote and open to candidates located anywhere in the United States, with a preference for candidates in Eastern or Central time zones to facilitate collaboration with university partners, team members, and organizational leadership.

Travel Requirements: This role requires 15-20% domestic travel annually for:

· University partner site visits and relationship building

· National and regional conferences and meetings

· Team meetings and organizational gatherings

· Program events and partnership activations

The ideal candidate will be comfortable with regular virtual collaboration, occasional multi-day travel commitments, and flexible scheduling to accommodate partners across time zones.

Employment at the Pulitzer CenterThe Pulitzer Center is an equal opportunity employer. The Center is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where the individual differences among us, whether in terms of race, religion, color, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, physical challenge, or marital or family status, are (i) understood, respected, and appreciated, (ii) recognized as a source of strength, and (iii) valued as qualities that enrich the environment in which we work. See our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement for details.

The pay range for this role is:
95,000 - 120,000 USD per year(USA)