Disclaimer:
- Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.
- Full-time positions at the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) require periodic travel for in-person team gatherings, typically several times per year. Locations may vary.
Job Summary The Graduate Engagement Strategist (GES) develops and manages relationships with a portfolio of PhD students within the IHS network. Reporting to the Associate Director of Intellectual Talent Development, the GES connects graduate scholars to resources, academic opportunities, and relevant members of the broader IHS network. This role serves as a primary point of contact for assigned graduate students, supports program execution for PhD-focused initiatives, and collaborates cross-functionally to ensure coordinated engagement across teams.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- None.
Duties and Responsibilities Portfolio Relationship Management
- Develop and maintain working relationships with a defined portfolio of graduate students.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of portfolio members’ research areas, professional goals, and engagement history.
- Provide relevant student and research insights to internal stakeholders to inform programming, placement strategy, and network development.
- Conduct regular digital outreach (e.g., email, virtual meetings) to support engagement and relationship continuity.
Program Ownership and Execution
- Own execution of approximately 10-12 programs annually for PhD students.
- Coordinate with internal teams to determine program topics, identify speakers, and manage invitations.
- Support logistics, communications, and follow-up processes associated with assigned programs.
- Track participation and outcomes to inform future programming decisions.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Participate in cross-functional meetings to share portfolio insights and contribute to program refinement.
- Coordinate closely with the Intellectual Talent Development team to ensure consistent engagement strategies.
- Support alignment between graduate programming and broader organizational objectives.
Field Engagement and Representation
- Attend academic conferences, prospecting events, and related gatherings to build relationships with graduate students and expand the network.
- Represent IHS and its graduate engagement initiatives at relevant events.
- Travel up to approximately 20% (approximately 10 or more events annually) to support portfolio development and recruitment.
Data and Process Management
- Maintain accurate records of student engagement within CRM systems.
- Support a data-informed approach to engagement by tracking key activity metrics and outcomes.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of engagement workflows and processes.
Required Qualifications
- Professional experience in higher education, academic administration, nonprofit programming, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects or programs with defined timelines and deliverables.
- Experience working with CRM systems and tracking engagement data; Salesforce experience preferred.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills suited to academic audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to synthesize information from multiple sources and communicate insights clearly.
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team environment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Terminal degree (PhD, JD, DPhil, or equivalent).
- Experience designing or executing academic programming for graduate students.
- Familiarity with classical liberal ideas and IHS’s mission.
To apply, qualified candidates must submit the following materials:
- Resume
- Cover letter detailing your interest in this position and why the IHS mission resonates with you.
EEO Statement:
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
About IHS:
The Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) is a think network advancing the principles and practices of freedom in the academy, public policy, and civil society.
Founded in 1961, IHS believes that the liberal tradition has yielded unprecedented freedom and human flourishing. And in this moment, when the forces of illiberalism on both the left and right are gaining ground at an alarming pace, our vision is to spark a new spirit of liberal freedom.
Our Work:
- Cultivating a pool of intellectual talent for partners in policy, civil society, philanthropy, and the academy through $1.5 million in fellowship and career development programs.
- Catalyzing scholarship and academic networks to strengthen the fields of foundational and applied research that matter most to a free society.
- Equipping freedom-focused research centers, think tanks, foundations, and civil society organizations with the research and experts they need to maximize their impact in policy and in communities across the country.
IHS Benefits:
We have a flexible, professional, open office environment that encourages innovation and entrepreneurship and provides substantial opportunity for professional growth. Salary is competitive and will be commensurate with experience. IHS provides exceptional benefits to all employees, including health and dental insurance coverage (which includes paying 100% of the health and dental insurance premium for individuals), health savings accounts, long-term disability and life insurance, a 403(b) retirement savings program, a parking permit and 12 free tuition credit hours annually at George Mason University.
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