Associate Director - Strategic Initiatives

Job Summary

The Institute for Information, the Internet, and Democracy seeks to support rigorous research on the problems of the contemporary information ecosystem and to evaluate the potential of interventions into the affordances of the internet to support connection and empower democracy. The Institute supports highly interdisciplinary research across political science, computer science, journalism, media, law, public health, and other fields. The Associate Director will provide long‑term and day‑to‑day direction to the Institute in partnership with its founding faculty, advocating for its mission, managing programming, coordinating strategic initiatives, writing grant proposals, and developing the organizational structure, internal policies, and collaborative relationships with the Institute’s Dublin and Arlington teams.

This role offers hybrid work flexibility.

• Coordinate day‑to‑day activities with the Institute’s internal and external stakeholders, manage communications, and engage across university departments and administration.
• Strategic planning for developing organizational structure, internal policies, and collaborative relationships with the Dublin and Arlington teams.
• Identify and pursue grants and gifts to support research on internet governance, platform accountability, transparency, and digital democracy; build and manage partnerships with funding organizations and report on existing grants.
• Develop and strengthen partnerships with civil society organizations, election officials, international democracy organizations, and policy makers to expand research and impact portfolios and enhance student access to practitioners and experts.
• Manage public communications: organize online and offline public engagement, including lectures, colloquia, newsletters, and social media outreach.

• Advanced degree in a social sciences or humanities field with a broad knowledge of public policy and information networks.
• Minimum 3–5 years of administrative and leadership experience.
• Proven experience with grant writing and grant management, including managing organizational budgets, finances, event planning, communications, and hiring.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and face‑to‑face presentation.
• High level of skill in working collaboratively with individuals and groups.

Position Type:
General Administration
Compensation Grade/

Pay Type:

110S
Expected Hiring Range: $76,335.00 – $ (starting salary will be based on experience, education, and other relevant factors). The salary range is reviewed regularly and subject to change.

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education, and skills when extending an offer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.