Assistant Director, Humanities Council

The Humanities Council is the academic home for more than 30 visiting faculty, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and lecturers. Offering innovation grants, visiting fellowships, public lectures, and research professorships, the Council also oversees several interdisciplinary undergraduate and graduate programs, including the PhD Program in Interdisciplinary Humanities and the Program in Journalism. A connecting force across 46 humanities-related departments, centers, programs, and committees, the Council hosts many events each year and enrolls more than 100 students in its minor degree programs, many of which include international and experiential teaching. In Fall 2027, in partnership with the Princeton Humanities Initiative, the Council will be integrated into a new humanities institute, merging existing programs into a capacious organizational home that will support innovative and experimental approaches to interdisciplinary humanities research, teaching, and civic engagement.

The Assistant Director of the Humanities Council is charged with supporting the Council's mission by executing its policy and strategic direction, and developing and carrying out short- and long-term academic and program operations planning in collaboration with the Council’s faculty chair and the executive director of the Princeton Humanities Initiative. 

The Assistant Director supervises an administrative staff of 8-10 and oversees the functional areas of budget management, academic programs and student services, facilities and operations, staff supervision and performance management, and policy and compliance. The Assistant Director reports directly to the faculty chair, with a secondary reporting relationship to the Executive Director of the Princeton Humanities Initiative. The Council’s operations are centered in Joseph Henry House, with secondary offices in Scheide Caldwell House and Green Hall. 

Academic administration:  

• Works with the chair of the Council to execute policy and strategic direction for the operation of the Council and participates in short- and long-term planning for Council operations. 
• Works with the Humanities Initiative director, the Humanities Initiative executive director, and Council chair to execute policy and strategic direction for the future Humanities Institute. 
• Supervises the administration of academic program activities, ensuring that Council programs meet all deadlines for the offices of the Dean of the Faculty, Registrar, Dean of the College, and the Graduate School. 
• Responsible for the teaching budget; appointments for faculty and postdoctoral researchers; submissions for faculty summer salary; appointments of visiting fellows and visiting students; course and preceptorship planning; student records and enrollment information; and certificate program requirements.

Budget and financial management: 

• Develops the budget for the Council, in collaboration with the chair. 
• Provides support to the Council chair and Humanities Initiative executive director to establish and achieve common goals and milestones. 
• Ensures careful and appropriate use/allocation of the administrative allowance, endowed or restricted funds, and any grants or sponsored research. 
• Develops long-term budget projections and spending plans; provides regular and timely updates on available funds to the Council chair and executive director of Humanities Initiative.  
• Tracks complex, multi-year financial commitments; approves designated expenses; ensures alignment within spending levels per fund per year.
• Establishes and communicates internal controls for relevant staff members in order to safeguard University assets, maintain accurate and reliable accounting information, promote operational efficiency, and ensure adherence to prescribed policies and procedures.

Staff management:

• Supervises the hiring, performance reviews, merit increase process, and terminations of the administrative and technical staff, including regular staff, short-term professional employees, casual hourly employees, temporary employees, and student employees. The AD will be knowledgeable about University policies and familiar with visa regulations, federal work-study requirements, tax laws, and fair labor standards.    
• Oversees all Council staff in regard to administrative processes and workflows (e.g., rosters, shared drives, dropboxes, databases, calendars, checklists) and compliance with general nonacademic University policies (COI forms; purchasing, contracts, etc.).
• Support HR and Interfolio processes for hires/searches, training, onboarding, coordination, and monitor absences from the office.

Events: 

• Oversees staff planning, coordinating, and executing high-profile events, including lecture series, symposia, seminars, and colloquia. 
• Coordinates with the executive director of Humanities Initiative on collaborative event opportunities. 

Facilities management: 

• Oversees office moves, renovations, and repairs; manages space assignments for faculty, visitors, and staff, and purchases department furniture and equipment in Council-managed spaces.
• Oversees day-to-day service requests. 
• Supervises staff handling scheduling and logistical details for advisory council meetings, conferences, department events, seminars, workshops, and lectures.

Essential qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of related experience
• Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills. 
• Track record of effectively managing departmental resources, including experience in budget management and oversight of financial operations. 
• Supervisory experience and track record of successfully coaching and mentoring staff.
• Superior organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities. 
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate in a manner that is professional, objective, and easily understood.
• Demonstrated experience managing organizational change.  
• Sensitivity to the needs and concerns of faculty, staff, and students, and other members of the University community. 
• Knowledge of current and evolving policies relating to visa regulations, federal work study requirements, tax laws, and fair labor standards.
• Project management experience.
• Values the importance of diversity and inclusion.

Preferred qualifications

• Advanced degree or experience working in higher education.
• Experience with systems used by Princeton (Prime, Concur, Labor Accounting, Outlook).
• Knowledge of current and evolving University policies. 
• Knowledge and experience in conflict management and resolution. 

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's qualifications, work experience, education/training, key skills, market, collective bargaining agreements as applicable, and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The posted salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate for a full-time position; salaries for part-time positions are pro-rated accordingly.

If the salary range on the posted position shows an hourly rate, this is the baseline; the actual hourly rate may be higher, depending on the position and factors listed above.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees. Please see this link for more information.