Association for Asian Studies - Director of Outreach and Strategic Initatives

Director of Outreach and Strategic Initiatives
The Association for Asian Studies (AAS) seeks an individual to work with the AAS executive officers, board of directors and secretariat to develop specific plans for concepts outlined in the AAS strategic plan; seek foundation and other funding support for these initiatives; and develop connections with relevant institutions and individuals (universities, institutes, and scholars) to advance these initiatives.

Responsibilities cover a broad range of planning and hands-on project management tasks, including the following current initiatives and activities.

Seeking Financial Support from Institutions, Funding Agencies and Individuals: 
• Identifying possible foundation and other funders for AAS strategic plan initiatives and ongoing activities;
• Developing concept papers with AAS board, secretariat, and others that advance AAS goals and address the selected foundation’s funding priorities;
• Discussing concepts with foundation program officers to determine appropriateness, ascertain formats, deadlines, etc.;
• Drafting grant proposals in consultation with board and secretariat;
• Maintaining close contact with funding agencies and submitting follow-up reports for successful grant proposals;
• Working with AAS Councils or other entities to determine needs of the field and create named funds;
• Making personal visits or sending letters to top prospects to solicit donations;
• Organizing annual funding solicitation to AAS members and overseeing Legacy Society;
• Organizing a President’s Reception at the annual conference for individuals who have been exceptionally supportive and involved in AAS activities
Organizing AAS-in-Asia conferences and related matters: 
• Working with AAS executive officers and secretariat to identify and visit potential hosting institutions for future AAS-in-Asia conferences;
• Exploring foundation funding and sponsors for the conferences;
• Working with the AAS secretariat and host institutions in creating conference budgets, websites, call for papers, etc.;
• Helping organize program committees, as well as finalizing dates, agenda, and attending the program committee meeting;
• Working closely with host institutions on final plans/preparations/details for conferences (e.g., keynote speaker arrangements, travel subsidies, special additions to the program such as banquets, tours, etc.)

Organizing Elements of Annual Conference:
• Asia Beyond the Headlines Roundtables: With JAS editor and members of the board, seeking topics for ABH panels, suggestions for presenters to invite, and managing the logistics of their travel, publicity, etc.
• Keynote Speaker: working with Past Presidents to identify keynote speakers; drafting proposals to seek outside funding; managing travel logistics, publicity in the conference program, etc.

Planning and Coordinating Workshops:
• Emerging Fields in Asian Studies Summer Workshops, including working with board to identify themes, appropriate conveners and participants, coordinating logistical arrangements, soliciting funding support, overseeing reports and eventual publications from the workshops.
• Dissertation Workshops, liaison with board, workshop organizers, organizational partners and funding agencies.

Qualifications:
Candidates are expected to have a graduate degree in Asian Studies, have significant experience in developing and managing complex projects and in writing grant proposals, and be effective in developing and maintaining relationships with funding agencies and institutions.  Depending on location, a significant amount of domestic and international travel will be required to attend various board and committee meetings, meet with funding agencies, attend conferences and meetings in Asia, etc.

The DOSI is expected to work independently to a large degree, but consulting with the AAS executive officers and board in developing initiatives, and maintaining regular communication and collaboration with the AAS secretariat in Ann Arbor is absolutely essential to effectively implement and carry out the association’s many activities.

Salary:
This will be a .75 to 1.00 FTE position depending on eventual job description, with competitive salary and extensive benefits.

Timeframe:
We hope to interview selected candidates in the fall and make a hiring decision shortly thereafter. The expectation is for the appointee to be available for training and attending various meetings and conferences in early 2017, and be able to fully assume the position upon the retirement of the current Director of Outreach and Strategic Initiatives in June, 2017. Interested candidates should send a CV and letter of interest detailing their experience and qualifications via email bySeptember 1, 2016 to:

Michael Paschal
Executive Director
Association for Asian Studies
mpaschal@asian-studies.org