Human Resources Employment Opportunities

The University of Massachusetts Boston seeks an accomplished scholar and a visionary, effective and dedicated leader to be the next Director of its William Monroe Trotter Institute for the Study of Black Culture. The Trotter Institute, founded in 1984 through an act of the Massachusetts State Legislature, performs public policy and social science research, emphasizing public affairs, anti‐racism, and race relations in support of Black and African Diaspora communities of Greater Boston. The successful candidate will be qualified for a tenured appointment at the rank of Professor or Associate Professor in an academic department appropriate to the candidate’s educational background and teaching and research interests. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION AND DUTIES

The Director has the overall responsibility of carrying on the Trotter Institute’s strong tradition as a center of excellence in public policy and social science research in support of Black and African Diaspora communities of Greater Boston. The Director will also be responsible for articulating an inspirational and coherent vision and formulating an ambitious research agenda for the Institute’s future. They will lead strategic planning for the Institute to ensure its objectives are aligned with the university’s Strategic Plan objectives and will provide primary leadership in identifying and developing proposals for grants, contracts, and other funded opportunities. The Director will also develop strategies for community engagement and collaboration through outreach (e.g. collaborative research; seminars; workshops; lectures; websites; publications) and act as an ambassador for the Institute, raising its profile externally including and embodying good practice. They will supervise and support the projects of affiliated faculty, research fellows, graduate, and undergraduate students, and manage the Institute’s budget and personnel. The Director will also serve as a catalyst for interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, or trans-disciplinary research across the campus and in partnership with other academic and research institutions in the United States and around the globe. They will support cross-unit, cross-disciplinary applied research projects that advance the mission of the Trotter Institute, the other CANALA institutes and UMass Boston. They will act as supervising editor for the Trotter Review and fulfill teaching duties consistent with agreements with home department.

 For more information about the Trotter Institute history and purpose, please visit https://www.umb.edu/trotter  

QUALIFICATIONS

• An earned doctorate
• Recent academic appointment
• At least five years of experience in research and administration
• Proven record of visionary and effective leadership
• A strong record of peer-reviewed publications and relevant teaching and student mentoring
• Evidence of successful and sustained leadership and research in areas of substantive expertise related to African diaspora affairs
• Evidence of successful experience in leading interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, or trans-disciplinary research and interacting with partners and constituencies in complex institutional, policy, or community environments
• Proven experience of managing staff and their performance
• Demonstrable track record in strategic and operational management and planning
• Experience of financial planning and resource allocation

Supervision Received: The Director will report to the Provost. 

Supervision Exercised: The Director supervises employees on the management team and in the Institute, and oversees or ensures supervision of researchers, fellows, students and consultants.

 

TO APPLY

Applicants must apply online at [https://employmentopportunities.umb.edu/boston/en-us/job/516264/director-of-trotter-institute]. Please upload a Curriculum Vitae; a cover letter highlighting the relevant educational background, professional experience, accomplishments, and other qualifications for the position and a sample of their scholarship; and the names and contact information for a minimum of three references (please alert referees that letters will be requested for candidates invited for a first round of interview). 

The position is open until filled and applications will be reviewed upon receipt.