ORGN OF AMERICAN HISTORIANS (BL-OAMH-IUBLA)

The Organization of American Historians (OAH) is the largest professional organization dedicated to the history of the United States, The mission of the organization is to promote excellence in the scholarship, teaching, and presentation of American history, and to encourage wide discussion of historical questions. The OAH believes that history is essential for knowing and understanding the world and stands for the ethical and accurate use of history in civic discourse. The OAH represents more than 5,500 historians working in the United States and abroad. Members include college and university professors, pre-collegiate history teachers, public historians, museum professionals, librarians and archivists, students, and a variety of historians working in government and the private sector. The OAH supports original, peer-reviewed, and rigorous scholarship, as well as the presentation of historical scholarship and knowledge in non-scholarly formats including a magazine, blog, and podcast. The OAH publishes the Journal of American History which is as a journal of record in the field, undertakes a wide range of public-history projects with the National Park Service and private partners, convenes an annual conference, and maintains a robust schedule of academic and public programming.

Department Specific Responsibilities

• Serves as the organization's 2nd senior leadership position, working with the Executive Director to advance the Organization's strategic vision, institutional priorities, and external influence through leadership in communications, advocacy, philanthropy, membership, and institutional engagement.
• Functions as the principal operational lead for the Organization's external affairs, translating strategic priorities into coordinated initiatives while serving as a senior representative of the Organization with members, donors, partner institutions, policymakers, and the public.
• Partners with the Executive Director to develop and execute the Organization's strategic plan, annual priorities, and long-range institutional objectives.
• Translates Board and executive-level priorities into integrated operational plans, organizational initiatives, and measurable outcomes.
• Monitors progress toward organizational goals and provides strategic analysis and recommendations to the Executive Director and Executive Board.
• Provide leadership and directs supervision for the Organization's communications, membership, and donor engagement functions.
• Ensures alignment and coordination across external-facing activities and initiatives.
• Develops integrated strategies for communications, marketing, membership growth and retention, philanthropy, and public engagement that advance organizational priorities and strengthen institutional impact.
• Coordinates the Organization's advocacy strategy in support of its mission and the interests of historians and history education.
• Coordinates institutional responses to emerging public policy issues and developments affecting the Organization and its stakeholders.
• Develops and advances advocacy initiatives and cultivates strategic partnerships that support organizational priorities.
• Develops, manages, and monitors annual budgets supporting membership, communications, advocacy, and fundraising functions.
• Establishes departmental priorities, performance expectations, and evaluation metrics.
• Conducts annual performance reviews and provides ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development for supervised staff.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

General Responsibilities

• Leads complex operational functions, programs, and service activities that support departmental, divisional, or organizational objectives; establishes priorities, coordinates resources, and ensures successful execution of operational strategies and initiatives.
• Analyzes and resolves complex operational issues with significant impact on business processes, services, or organizational outcomes; exercises substantial independent judgment in evaluating risks, determining solutions, and recommending courses of action.
• Designs, leads, and implements operational improvements and business process enhancements; evaluates organizational needs and develops solutions that improve efficiency, effectiveness, compliance, service delivery, and stakeholder experience.
• Evaluates operational performance through analysis of data, metrics, trends, and outcomes; develops recommendations, forecasts impacts, and provides strategic insights to support planning, resource allocation, and decision-making.
• Interprets and applies complex university policies, regulations, and operational requirements; develops procedures, establishes controls, and advises stakeholders on compliance-related matters and operational risk mitigation.
• Partners with leaders, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to assess operational needs, develops solutions, and advances initiatives that support institutional and organizational priorities.
• Provides operational leadership and subject matter expertise for significant projects, process changes, and organizational initiatives; influences decision-making and facilitates implementation of operational strategies across functional areas.
• Develops and maintains operational frameworks, procedures, standards, and performance measures; monitors outcomes and recommends adjustments to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and continuous improvement goals.

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Bachelor's degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 5 years in related field.

Preferred

• Leadership experience in a scholarly, historical, humanities, or higher-education membership association.
• Experience working with a volunteer board of directors and/or elected leadership.
• Experience in staff management; familiarity with higher-education and policy environments.

SKILLS

Required

• Proficient written and verbal communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty.
• Highly thorough and dependable.
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure.
• Possesses a high degree of initiative.
• Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents.

Preferred

• Excellent strategic, analytical, and organizational planning skills.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to represent the Organization publicly and in writing to varied audiences.
• Demonstrated success cultivating relationships with donors, partners, and institutional stakeholders.
• Supervisory and team-leadership skills.
• Project and budget management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives and shifting priorities with minimal supervision.
• Sound judgment and discretion in handling sensitive institutional, personnel, and donor information.
• Familiarity with nonprofit governance and board relations.

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Bloomington, Indiana

$85,000-$90,000 Annually

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure.

Career Level: Advanced

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: General Administration

Job Family: Operations Management

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This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

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