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Bucknell University invites nominations and applications for the Director for a new Dialogue and Democracy Initiative. Reporting directly to the Associate Provost for Research and Creative Inquiry, the Director will work closely with the faculty, staff, and students, the Deans and Associate Deans of the three Colleges, University Advancement, the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, and other relevant stakeholders within the campus and greater Susquehanna Valley communities to develop and oversee this nascent initiative. 

Bucknell Initiative for Dialogue & Democracy (BIDD) 
Great universities are dedicated to cultivating independence of mind in those they serve while fostering critical dialogue and thoughtful reflection as a condition of participation in a democratic society. As educators, we must prepare our students for the prevailing direction of the world by helping them to develop the skills that are necessary for productive engagement with civil society, including civic engagement and open respectful discourse. In an increasingly polarized world with pervasive algorithm-driven exposure to self-reinforcing beliefs and perspectives, students lack sufficient opportunity and ability to truly engage with ideas with which they don’t already agree.  At Bucknell, we recognize the need for students to learn to challenge their assumptions and to productively sustain even the most difficult conversations as they navigate their place in a complex and polarized world.  While an increasing number of institutions of higher education are establishing centers for vigorous debate around political issues, Bucknell’s approach will focus on the development of skills for engaged dialogue as a fundamental goal.

To nurture these abilities in a supportive campus environment, the University is launching the Bucknell Initiative for Dialogue & Democracy (BIDD), for which we are seeking an inaugural Director. The Director of BIDD will invite members of the Bucknell community (faculty, staff, students, alumni) to further develop the initiative, drawing upon the expertise and perspectives of many colleagues across the University and of our community partners. This initiative will provide a new and powerful arena for understanding, enabling honest and engaged discourse born out of moments of constructive opposition. Dialogue can only become a truly collaborative endeavor when we responsibly engage with the viewpoints of others. It is our aim to provide students with the tools not only to engage in dialogue but to learn, and practice using, the essential skill of listening, as they develop their capacity to meaningfully participate in democratic society as a member of the various communities of which they are a part. 

To further these goals, Bucknell has recently invested in capacity-building within our community to incorporate dialogue-based approaches into our work. BIDD will join an institutional ecosystem that values the importance of diverse experiences and perspectives by creating an open-minded, nonpartisan arena where ideas can be freely and thoughtfully shared and challenged, and where students, faculty, and staff from various backgrounds can work together on shared projects to advance the public good in our (campus and off-campus) communities. 

BIDD Director
Reporting to the Provost’s Office, the Director of the Bucknell Initiative for Dialogue & Democracy will provide collaborative, visionary and strategic leadership to the initiative. The Director will develop the relationships necessary to lead the development of a collective vision for the initiative, informed by the multiple perspectives that comprise the Bucknell community. The Director will be a full-time member of the Bucknell staff. This position is currently projected to be gift funded for three years with the expectation that it may be renewed with additional funding.

The Director of this Initiative will directly contribute to Bucknell’s mission of educating students for a lifetime of critical thinking and strong leadership characterized by continued intellectual exploration, creativity and imagination.

Role of the Director 

The Director of BIDD will work across the institution to provide leadership to this cross-disciplinary initiative. The Director will support members of the campus community to co-organize programming across all three Colleges, and to work with existing offices and departments (including those connected to community partners) to identify and develop relevant experiential opportunities for students and members of the Bucknell community. Depending on academic qualifications, responsibilities could include offering formal or informal classes and content related to their area of expertise. The Director will work with University Advancement and the Office of Sponsored Projects to attract additional resources, and they will work to encourage the growth and reach of the ecosystem of dialogue and dignity at Bucknell in line with the needs of students, alumni, and the broader campus community.

The Director will ensure that BIDD provides opportunities for the entire Bucknell University community. The work also has the potential to serve the region through collaboration with civic, governmental, educational, nonprofit, business, and community-based institutions and organizations. 

The Director will be responsible for collaborating with members of the Bucknell community to develop, and then execute, the mission and vision of the initiative through the development of relationships, resources, opportunities, and programming. The Director will contribute to the programs and initiatives that support Bucknell’s efforts to create a culture of understanding, dignity, and respect for all members of the community.

The Director will also be the primary administrator for the operations of the program, overseeing budgets, and supervising support staff, as appropriate. If successful, the initiative can grow and join extant institutes and centers that are already a feature of Bucknell’s co-curricular infrastructure. 

Finally, the Director will build coalitions both on and off-campus that support the mission, vision, and goals of BIDD, and that have the resources to support the initiative in various ways. The Director will develop and connect Bucknell to a network of key external partners.

Qualifications and Characteristics  

The Director will possess strong emotional intelligence and extensive organizational skills. They will demonstrate the ability to think critically and be able to successfully work to advance the goals of the Initiative, while endeavoring to build community and campus engagement. They will be able to work independently, manage multiple responsibilities, and adjust priorities in a busy environment.

Additionally, the Director will possess a commitment to advancing equity and inclusive excellence at the University by contributing to programs and initiatives that convey Bucknell’s efforts to create an inclusive and equitable culture. Demonstrating strong interpersonal skills, the Director will show a commitment to working professionally with internal and external constituencies. 

Additionally, the Director will be expected to possess many of the following qualifications and  characteristics: 

• Graduate degree (at least Masters) in a relevant field of social sciences or humanities, organizational leadership, or related field, doctorate preferred;
• At least 7 years professional experience in progressively more responsible roles. Professional experience can encompass various settings and backgrounds (including diplomacy, education, civic engagement, international development, as examples), but experience in a higher education setting is strongly preferred
• Experience working with students, faculty members, and community organizations;
• Experience with strategic planning and executing strategic initiatives;
• Experience building programs from the ground up; strong grant-seeking and/or fundraising experience;
• Skilled (written and oral) communicator, collaborator, critical thinker, and accomplished administrator with a servant leadership perspective and strong management and people development skills;  
• A high degree of cultural competency/humility, and dedication to growing and fostering a vibrant and inclusive community;
• Evidence of achievement in bringing together individuals from different backgrounds to work towards common goals and/or shared understanding;
• An understanding of the culture of higher education, shared governance, academic freedom, and a deep respect for students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and  community  members; 
• Excellent computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office products including Word and Excel, database systems and data entry, Google software, and a variety of web browsing programs, and ability to adapt to changing technology and systems;
• The highest level of personal and professional ethics and integrity. 

Physical Requirements:

This position is based in a typical office setting without any unique physical or environmental requirements.

Job Exempt:

Salary Range:

The offer rate will be based on a review of the candidate's credentials compared to the qualifications of the position, internal equity, and our overall compensation philosophy. 

This role is not budgeted for visa sponsorship at this time, all candidates must be authorized to work in the US at the time of submission of the application.

Benefits:

Eligible full- and part-time employees are compensated beyond base salary through our total rewards package that includes (but is not limited to):

• Flexible scheduling options determined by role; 
• Medical, prescription drug, vision, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance options
• An outstanding 10% employer contribution to your retirement plan (no contribution requirement for non-exempt positions)
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick time, a community service day, and 19 paid holidays (including two full weeks off for Winter Break!)
• Full-time and part-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for themselves. Additionally, full-time members of the faculty and staff are eligible for tuition remission for their spouse/spousal equivalent and are eligible for various tuition programs for their children. Credit for full-time benefits eligible employment at other institutions of higher education will be applied to waiting periods.
• A comprehensive employee wellness program including program incentives
• A myriad of other benefits, including parental leave, an employee assistance program, fitness center membership, and the power of your Bucknell ID card 

To learn more about Bucknell's benefits, click here! (*Eligibility criteria and waiting periods may apply.)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
Bucknell is committed to fostering an environment that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports the growth and development of a diverse campus community.  We endeavor to enhance our capacity to value and capitalize on the cultural richness that diversity brings.  We encourage all individuals to apply and do not discriminate in admissions, employment, educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, pregnancy, sex/gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.