Careers

Vice President of Development

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) seeks a Director of Alumni Advocacy. ACTA is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to promoting academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities. Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, policymakers, and education leaders across the United States to support the liberal arts, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives a philosophically rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.

The Vice President of Development is responsible for providing leadership, strategy, planning, and guidance for the comprehensive fundraising efforts and day-to-day management for all development-related programs. He/she is responsible for identifying an optimal pool of high-capacity prospects, supporters, and donors and will represent the organization at key donor meetings, events, and fundraising conferences, articulating the organization’s innovative business model, operational strategies, and successes. He/she collaborates with senior program staff to educate donors about ACTA’s initiatives and successes, and to solicit their support. The Vice President of Development manages a staff of three, reports directly to ACTA’s President, and works extensively with both the President and the Senior Vice President of Finance and Operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide strong, creative, energetic, strategic leadership on all fundraising initiatives and set new, ambitious, but attainable goals in order to increase annual operating funds.
• Create and implement a plan for the annual giving campaign that includes specific goals for the major components of the development program.
• Keep aware of trends in higher education to make sure that communications to donors are on target. 
• Action-oriented, hard-working with an ability to make decisions in a fast-paced, changing, and interactive environment; self-starting, self-motivating and ability to show results on time and in a highly ethical and professional manner; customer focused, dedicated to meeting and exceeding the expectations and requirements of internal and external constituents.

• In collaboration with the Major Gifts Officer, identify and cultivate new major gift sources.
• In collaboration with the Program Officer, manage administration of current grants, including tracking deadlines; collecting information from program staff and operations department; and writing, reviewing, and submitting timely proposals, reports, and updates.
• Manage and nurture a strong team of development professionals; oversee recruitment, management, development, and retention of professional and support staff in the development organization; evaluate staff, develop a strong sense of teamwork, and establish an environment of mentoring and support; coach the team and bring strategic focus to the development department; foster a work ethic deeply rooted in innovation and a commitment to being the best.
• Manage and expand ACTA’s planned giving program, including stewardship of the Legacy Society.
• Oversee development staff management of direct mail program, annual event sponsorships, donor events, fundraising database, and acknowledgement of gifts.
• Report on development department activities and results to the Board of Directors.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree required. A successful record in development with at least five years experience in cultivating and expanding existing donor relationships; securing major gifts from individuals and foundations; and excellent skills in research, writing, and fundraising messaging. He or she is expected to be personable, innovative, well organized, highly motivated, and principled, as well as to exhibit the highest degree of personal responsibility, accountability, and honesty and be a strong team player good at maintaining positive productive relationships with other members of the ACTA team. He/she must be passionate about ACTA’s mission to reform higher education and committed to compellingly presenting the ACTA story to internal and external constituencies.

To apply, please send a cover letter, including a salary requirement, and a resume to Jordan Thomas at info@goacta.org with the subject line “Application: Vice President of Development”.

Research Fellow/Senior Researcher, Campus Freedom

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities. Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, policymakers, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives a philosophically rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.

The Research Fellow/Senior Researcher in Campus Freedom advances ACTA’s mission of higher education reform helping higher education leaders understand the importance of free expression and viewpoint diversity in the academy, and by helping to lead ACTA’s best-practices research on issues related to academic freedom.

Specifically, the Research Fellow/Senior Researcher in Campus Freedom will perform the following:

• Work with the V.P. Academic Affairs to lead major reports related to academic freedom and free expression on campus;
• Work closely with the V.P., Trustees & Governmental Relations and Paul and Karen Levy Fellow in Campus Freedom on rapid response research and outreach to university governing boards;
• Assist the Director of Alumni Advocacy in providing research support to alumni free speech groups;
• Provide research and writing support for the V.P., Academic Affairs;
• Be willing to travel periodically to help conduct interview and focus group research, and to help lead academic freedom workshops on campuses around the country;
• Author or assist with drafting amicus briefs (if academic/legal background permits).

The Research Fellow/Senior Researcher in Campus Freedom will report to ACTA’s Vice President, Academic Affairs. This is envisioned as a Washington, DC-based position but will be a hybrid (remote/in-office) work arrangement until Fall, 2022. An ongoing remote work arrangement is possible for exceptional candidates.

The Research Fellow/Senior Researcher in Campus Freedom must approach these tasks as an entrepreneurial enterprise, requiring an understanding of and proactive approach to ACTA’s program activities. He or she is expected to be personable, dynamic, well organized, highly motivated, and principled. The highest degree of personal responsibility, accountability, and honesty is expected.  A Bachelor’s degree in a humanities or social science discipline, along with 2-3 years of experience in higher education, the legal sector, or public policy, is required. A J.D. and First Amendment background, or an M.A. in a social science discipline (with strong background statistical research methods), are preferred credentials for the position. Candidates with 5+ years of experience may apply for the position at the senior researcher level.

To apply, please send cover letter, including salary requirement, and resume to Jordan Thomas at info@goacta.org with the subject line “Research Fellow/Senior Researcher in Campus Freedom.”

Program Manager for the Office of the President

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) seeks an Executive Assistant to the President. The Executive Assistant will work collaboratively with all members of the ACTA team and will have the opportunity to work on a diverse and exciting set of initiatives in higher education reform.

ACTA is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to promoting academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities. Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, policymakers, and education leaders across the United States to support the liberal arts, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives a philosophically rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.

The Program Manager for the Office of the President position is based in Washington, DC, and will report directly to ACTA President Michael Poliakoff. This position requires exceptional communication skills, the ability to prioritize and execute tasks efficiently and effectively, and utmost respect for confidentiality. Additionally, the Executive Assistant must demonstrate strong research and writing skills. This position is ideally suited for a dynamic and entrepreneurial individual who feels as comfortable scheduling high-profile meetings as interpreting complicated texts and documents.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Administrative:

• Act as the primary point of contact for the President’s schedule, working in close coordination with ACTA staff. Manage an intense schedule of appointments and public meetings.
• Support the President by providing research and talking points to prepare for external meetings.
• Book travel for the President, in coordination with ACTA’s Executive Administrative Assistant.
• Screen, sort, and prioritize email correspondences as well as phone calls.

Writing and research:

• Provide writing support by drafting correspondence, memos, and speeches.
• Provide preliminary research to prepare the President for press interviews and to inform editorials and related publications.

The highest degree of personal responsibility, accountability, and honesty is expected. A bachelor’s degree is required, and 3–5 years of related professional experience is preferred.

To apply, please send a cover letter, including a salary requirement, and a resume to Jordan Thomas at info@goacta.org with the subject line “Application: Program Manager, Office of the President.”

Major Gifts Officer

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities. Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives an intellectually rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.

The Major Gifts Officer will design, develop and implement ACTA’s major gift program. The top priority will be to research, identify, and cultivate relationships with new major donors and strengthen those relationships over time. He/she will also be responsible for identifying and cultivating major gifts from current ACTA donors who have capacity to significantly increase their support. An ability to connect with donors and clearly communicate ACTA’s mission is key. The Major Gifts Officer will report to the Vice President of Development and have a close working relationship with ACTA’s president. This position will require travel; approximately 25% of the job will be on the road.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Secure major gifts at the $25,000 level with the goal of raising at least $100,000 in the first 12 months.
• Manage systems and software to track and cultivate donors and prospects, including donor database and wealth screening tools.
• Help donors accomplish their philanthropic goals and ambitions through a relationship with ACTA’s president and senior staff.
• Create and implement individualized moves management plans.
• Make direct, face-to-face solicitations, and assist the board and other staff with their solicitation (e.g., provide portfolio development support, strategic counsel, and help with donor communications).
• Acknowledge major donors through public and private recognition.
• Track and report progress using specific metrics.
• Produce reports on a regular basis regarding performance metrics.
• Represent ACTA at events that would include potential donors.

Qualifications:

The Major Gifts Officer must be highly motivated with a strong sense of ownership that includes a proactive approach to achieving goals. He/she must be a self-starter and focused on results. The successful candidate must have at least five years of nonprofit fundraising experience with a demonstrated ability to secure individual and foundation major gifts. Strong interpersonal skills are necessary to be successful in this position, as well as an ability to articulate passionately and clearly ACTA’s vision and inspire donors to be enthusiastic supporters of our mission. The Major Gifts Officer must be a strong team player who can maintain positive productive relationships with other members of the ACTA team.

To apply, please send a cover letter, including a salary requirement, and a resume to Jordan Thomas at info@goacta.org with the subject line “Application: Major Gifts Officer.”

Program Officer, Development

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities. Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives a philosophically rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.

The Program Officer of Development provides support for all facets of ACTA’s development effort to achieve annual giving campaign goals. The incumbent must have strong communications skills with a focus on writing (specifically grant proposals, reports to donors, and fundraising letters) and must understand and support ACTA’s mission to improve higher education. The Program Officer reports to the Vice President of Development.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist the vice president of development in a variety of written communications projects—grant proposals, reports to donors, reports to board of directors, Letters of Inquiry, donor email blasts.
• Manage the direct mail program.
• Assist the vice president in managing donor cultivation tools.
• Manage the sponsorship program for ACTA’s annual event, the ATHENA Roundtable and Merrill Award Gala.
• Monitor timelines for various fundraising activities to ensure that the department’s strategic plan and critical fundraising processes are executed effectively and in a timely manner.
• Manage donor events.
• Collaborate with unit leaders to identify funding opportunities for projects.
• Maintain donor monitoring tools to ensure consistent and timely communications to donors.
• Manage the Thomas Jefferson Legacy Society.

Qualifications:

A Bachelor of Science degree in the Liberal Arts is preferred as well as three to five years of experience in annual giving campaigns. Candidates should possess exemplary writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.

The Program Officer should approach these tasks with a sense of in their approach to achieving goals. He or she must be highly motivated, as well as exhibit the highest degree of personal responsibility, accountability, and honesty, and be a strong team player good at maintaining positive productive relationships with other members of the ACTA team. He or she must be committed to ACTA’s mission as a leader in higher education reform.

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to Jordan Thomas at info@goacta.org with the subject line “Application: Program Officer for Development”.

Program Associate, Trustee & Government Affairs

The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) is an independent, nonprofit organization committed to academic freedom, academic excellence, and accountability at America’s colleges and universities. Launched in 1995, we are the only organization that works with alumni, donors, trustees, policymakers, and education leaders across the United States to support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus, and ensure that the next generation receives a philosophically rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.

The Program Associate for Trustee & Government Affairs advances ACTA’s core values of academic excellence, academic freedom, and accountability by assisting the Vice President of Trustee & Government Affairs in maintaining ACTA’s national network of trustees and elected officials and improving ACTA’s communications with those audiences.

Specifically, the Program Associate performs the following tasks:

• Assisting the Vice President of Trustee & Government Affairs with communications and outreach to trustees, governors, policymakers, and related constituent groups, including responding to research questions and coordinating with other departmental staff on outreach projects.

• Organizing ACTA’s trustee events and webinar programs, including seeing through selection of participants, event marketing, logistical management, and constituent communications.

• Ensuring quality control of ACTA’s database of college and university trustees, assisting with database administration on an as-needed basis; overseeing database work of interns and outside contractors.

• Managing the department’s direct mail and e-mail campaigns, including serving as the department’s primary point of contact with ACTA’s mailhouse vendor, facilitating department mass mailings, and responding to resource requests from constituents.

• Drafting correspondence and/or policy statements directed to higher education stakeholders including boards of trustees and government bodies.

• Providing research, logistical, and operational support to departmental initiatives including targeted mailings, trustee publications, events, and ACTA’s board services.

The Program Associate must approach these tasks as an entrepreneurial enterprise, requiring an understanding of and proactive approach to ACTA’s program activities. The Program Associate is expected to be personable, dynamic, well organized, highly motivated, and principled, and to act with the highest degree of personal responsibility, accountability, and honesty.

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to Jordan Thomas at info@goacta.org with the subject line “Application: Program Associate for Trustee & Government Affairs”.