Director of the Countering Antisemitism Laboratory

Director of the Countering Antisemitism Laboratory

USC Shoah Foundation

Who we are

USC is a leading private research university located in Los Angeles – a global center for arts, technology, and international business. As the city’s largest private employer, responsible for more than $5 billion annually in economic activity in the region, we offer the opportunity to work in a dynamic and diverse environment, in careers that span a broad spectrum of talents and skills across a variety of academic schools and units. As a USC employee, you will enjoy excellent benefits and perks and be a member of the Trojan Family - the faculty, staff, students, and alumni who make USC a great place to work.

About the Department

The core purpose of the USC Shoah Foundation is to give opportunity to survivors and witnesses to the Shoah—the genocide of the Jews—to tell their own stories in their own words in audio-visual interviews, preserve their testimonies, and make them accessible for research, education, and outreach for the betterment of humankind in perpetuity.

The Position

We are seeking a dynamic leader to launch the Countering Antisemitism Laboratory (“Laboratory”) at the USC Shoah Foundation. This Laboratory will be a multi-person, research-oriented, and expert-driven initiative to address antisemitism in all its forms. The Director of the Countering Antisemitism Laboratory will direct the development, strategic planning, implementation, and expansion of the Laboratory’s work. The incumbent to this position will also build and manage a team of experts to lead the Laboratory’s four divisions:

1) The Countering Antisemitism Through Testimony (CATT) Collection: an in-progress collection of testimonies of survivors of antisemitic violence since 1945. This collection will include at least 10,000 testimonies separated into five series: (a) American Jewish Experiences; (b) Ethiopian Jewish Experiences; (c) Sephardic, Mizrahi, and Yemenite Jewish Experiences; (d) Jewish Experiences Under Communist Rule; and (e) Survivors of Antisemitic Terror Attacks.

2) Training and Education Programs: these will focus on key leadership groups, e.g., university administrators, journalists, policymakers and civil servants, jurists, and physicians. They will include partnerships with likeminded institutions, curriculum development, and training programs to be held onsite at the USC Shoah Foundation offices in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, as well as at third-party locations.

3) Research Programs: these will include workshops for experts, investigative research with partner organizations, a robust onsite fellowship program, publications, and cooperative research with USC and non-USC faculty.

4) Online Antisemitism: harnessing the USC Shoah Foundation’s technology infrastructure, supervise a team of experts focused on tracking and responding to antisemitism across social media and other digital spaces.

The ideal candidate will be a globally recognized expert on the subject of antisemitism with knowledge of the academic and subject-expert community, a record of publication, a strong managerial background, an entrepreneurial spirit, fundraising experience, and an international network with relevant institutions, organizations, and governments.

The incumbent to this role will report to the Senior Director of Programs and work closely with the Finci-Viterbi Executive Director. This position will be based at the USC Shoah Foundation offices in Washington, DC or at its headquarters in Los Angeles, California.

This is a five-year fixed-term position with the possibility of extension. 

The incumbent to this position will:

• Direct, plan, develop, and approve objectives, curricula, and/or content for all Laboratory programming in accordance with prevailing USC Shoah Foundation strategic priorities.

• Draft and implement program policies and procedures.

• Research and identify trends to establish program direction and develop operating and administrative policies.

• Manage staff and determine appropriate reporting structures within the Laboratory team based on program needs.

• Identify and develop strategies related to fundraising opportunities and work collaboratively with the USC Shoah Foundation advancement team to meet fundraising goals.

• Engage in major budgetary and resource allocation decisions. Use formal processes and tools for analyzing and managing resources, budgets, risk and program changes, and work collaboratively with USC Shoah Foundation and USC central finance colleagues to ensure responsible budgeting.

• Maintain critical contacts with scholars, subject experts, government officials, and other key stakeholders in the field, contributing regularly at conferences and networking in support of Laboratory programming.

• Liaise with USC Shoah Foundation Marketing to communicate findings and Program team to leverage Laboratory content for the benefit of all USC Shoah Foundation Programs.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

The Candidate for Director of the Countering Antisemitism Laboratorywill have at minimum:

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education, i.e. Bachelor’s degree, and experience

• 7-10 years of relevant professional experience

• Demonstrated expertise on antisemitism research, state of scholarship on subject, and understanding of organizations engaged on building awareness of Jewish life and culture

• Management experience and human resource processes

• Budget development and control

• Demonstrable fundraising experience

• A record of scholarship and publication

• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience in program development and implementation, utilizing project management methodologies

• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and external partners

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and conflict resolution

• Strong organizational and project management abilities

• Sensitivity to the cultural and emotional dimensions of the Holocaust and the ability to navigate these issues with empathy and respect

• Marketing, mediating, negotiation, networking

• Knowledge and interpretation of applicable laws/policies/procedures

• Ability to travel at least 15%

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD

Application Procedure:

Resume, cover letter, and brief writing sample are required (may be uploaded as one file). ** Please do not submit your application without these documents.**

USC has excellent benefits, including health benefits for staff & their family with access to the renowned university medical network; eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions once you meet Program's eligibility; tuition benefits for staff & their family; free professional development online courses; central Los Angeles location with easy access to commuter trains, buses & free tram pick up services; discounts to football, basketball & other campus events.

The University of Southern California values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment.

The annual base salary range for this position is $128,567 - $191,567. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Master's degree. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 7 years. Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum experience Minimum Field of Expertise: Experience developing programs, partnerships, and funding sources. Proven experience in management/leadership roles, overseeing staff and building and maintaining relationships with domestic and international stakeholders. Experience resolving inquiries and complaints, and presenting information to varied audiences and maintain confidentiality. Proven analytical skills, exhibiting fluency in specialized areas. Outstanding interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with exemplary attention to detail. Experience in higher education and/or customer service. Proven ability to plan, implement, coordinate and organize program logistics. Demonstrated database/data entry experience. Proven project management and problem solving skills, able to handle multiple timelines, changing priorities, and fluctuating workloads.