Associate Director for Communications and Stewardship

Department: Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular Ongoing
Salary: $65000 - $82000 per year
Compensation Band: OS-OA07-Fiscal Year 2026-2027
FTE: 1.0

August 3 2026; position open until filled

To ensure consideration complete applications must include the following along with the online application:
A cover letter highlighting how your knowledge skills and experience qualify you for the requirements competencies and if applicable preferred qualifications outlined in the job announcement.
A resume of your professional and other work experience education and applicable certifications.

The online application includes the name and contact information of at least three professional references. The candidate will be notified prior to references being contacted.

Established in 2000 and building on the tradition of the Wayne Morse Chair of Law and Politics (1978) the Wayne Morse Center serves as an interdisciplinary hub dedicated to advancing education research dialogue and civic engagement on pressing public issues that impact Oregon our nation and the world. The Center is active in the community as well as within the academy. It offers specialized programs for undergraduate graduate and law students at UO; facilitates experiential learning skills-building and career guidance; provides funding for student and faculty research; and hosts distinguished speakers for in-person and livestreamed lectures panels and events that are free and open to the public. The WMC carries forward the legacy of Oregons former U.S. Senator Wayne Morse an outspoken champion of public education justice inclusive democracy and the rule of law.

The Center is committed to the principles of equity inclusion and integrity. It is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic learning environment where students staff faculty speakers and guests from a range of backgrounds and different viewpoints feel welcome.
Located within the traditional homelands of the Kalapuya people the WMC is housed in Knight Law Center on UOs Eugene campus. It is endowment-funded and relies on gifts from supporters to fulfill its addition to this position the Wayne Morse Center staff includes an Accounting Coordinator an Administrative Program Specialist and two Co-Directors. An advisory board composed of faculty and community leaders offers guidance and support for the Center. The position is a 12-month 1.0 FTE Officer of Administration appointment subject to annual review. It reports to the Co-Directors and supervises key duties of the classified staff and student workers.

The WMCs activities follow a cyclical pattern. Because certain months are more demanding than others the Wayne Morse Center supports a hybrid work schedule requiring on-campus presence four days per week during the academic year with more flexibility during summer and winter break as appropriate. The position entails some evening and weekend work staffing events and includes occasional travel within Oregon.

The Associate Director for Communication and Stewardship manages and executes all aspects of the Wayne Morse Centers communications developing strategies and producing materials and digital content that increase the Centers visibility; boost event attendance; recruit applicants for student and faculty programs and awards; and promote Senator Morses legacy. The position also ensures the effective use of internal communication and work-sharing platforms.

In collaboration with senior staff this staff member will create and implement a multifaceted fundraising and stewardship program that engages current and prospective donors through personalized updates outreach and special events thereby fostering a sense of connection and shared purpose and increasing financial support. The Associate Director plays an integral role in executing public events and fundraising activities serving as the lead on AV and facilitating remote audience participation among other things. The position interacts with students campus and community leaders donors alumni prominent guests and journalists.

This position plays supervisory roles overseeing the Accounting Coordinators work on donation processing acknowledgment and reporting; directing the Administrative Program Specialist in sourcing stories about student awardee and alumni achievements and preparing students for stewardship engagements with donors and prospects; and hiring and managing student workers. Additionally this position advises senior staff on organizational development mission and policy.

The Associate Director proactively liaises with communications and development professionals in UO Advancement central Communications and the School of Law to ensure that communications efforts are well-timed mutually supportive and on message maintaining university-wide standards and aligning with communication plans for donor audiences and high-level donors.

Bachelors degree in journalism communications or a closely related field.
Three years of experience in communications publicity public affairs or related field.
Experience in development or other directly applicable fundraising experience.
One year of program or project management experience.

Ability to createmanage and implementstrategic communications plans and strategies that areculturally sensitive andappropriate for a variety of audiences media and contexts.
Advanced writing editing and verbal communication skills; strong attention to detail.
Ability to designand createcompelling effective visuallyappealinggraphics print materials and online content write copy and manage a website and socials.
Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds cultures and life experiences--including geographic viewpoint and socioeconomic diversity--and commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity and equity.
Ability to meet deadlines anticipate needs prioritize multiple tasks follow through and work independently without supervision.
Ability to work well in a team environment.
Ability to comfortably engage with stakeholders students donors high-profile guests and the public speaking in public and responding to inquiries.

Experience supervising classified staff and student workers.
Experience with digital communications including website photo editing email marketing and content management systems.
Familiarity with public affairs and policy issues affecting Oregonians the nation and the world; familiarity with governmental institutions and the American political system.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees including health insurance retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits visit our website.

The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process please email us or call .

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color religion national origin sex sexual orientation gender identity gender expression pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions) age physical or mental disability genetic information (including family medical history) ancestry familial status citizenship service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law) veteran status expunged juvenile record and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs activities and employment practices as required by Title IX other applicable laws and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information related policies and complaint procedures are listed here.

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