Director of the Countering Antisemitism Laboratory

USC Shoah Foundation

Who we are

Established in 1994 and a part of the University of Southern California since 2006, the USC Shoah Foundation’s core purpose 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. It achieves this work through the preservation and dissemination of a massive archive of more than 59,000 testimonies, engaging educational programs that reach multiple audiences, innovative academic and related research programs, and technology efforts that ensure that these histories remain accessible and relevant.

Position Overview

With a base at the USC Capital Campus in Washington, DC, the USC Shoah Foundation is seeking a dynamic and experienced leader to launch and direct the new Countering Antisemitism Laboratory (Laboratory) at the USC Shoah Foundation with the initiative to address antisemitism in all its forms. The Director of the Countering Antisemitism Laboratory (Director) will oversee the development, strategic planning, implementation, and expansion of this Laboratory, ensuring it aligns with the Shoah Foundation’s broader mission and goals. Additionally, the Director will build and manage a team of experts to lead the four divisions of the Laboratory.

The four divisions are as follows: (1) Testimony Collection; (2) Training & Education Programs; (3) Research Programs; and (4) Online Antisemitism. In the case of the first, the USC Shoah Foundation is building an additional collection of at least 10,000 testimonies of survivors of antisemitic violence since 1945. Our training and education programs will focus on leadership groups, including journalists, civil servants, lawyers, athletes, and university leaders (both students and administration). The research division will focus on practical research for governments and civil society. Finally, the online antisemitism unit will leverage a portion of the technology infrastructure of the institute to study and address antisemitism and related phenomena in online spaces.

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 office in Washington, DC with regular travel to the USC campus in Los Angeles, California.

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

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development, planning, and execution of all programmatic activities, ensuring alignment with the Shoah Foundation's strategic priorities.
• Oversee the creation and implementation of educational and training programs aimed at key stakeholders, including university administrators, policymakers, and civil society leaders.
• Hire personnel responsible for research initiatives, as well as programs, publications, and collaborative projects with academic and non-academic partners.
• Supervise the development of digital engagement strategies to enhance the initiative’s reach and impact through online platforms.
• Manage a multidisciplinary team, including setting goals, overseeing performance, and fostering professional development.
• Develop and implement fundraising strategies in collaboration with the Shoah Foundation's advancement team to support the initiative's sustainability.
• Engage in budgetary and resource allocation decisions to ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
• Maintain and expand relationships with key stakeholders, including academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, and governmental bodies.
• Represent the initiative at conferences, workshops, and other professional gatherings to promote its work and forge new partnerships.
• Collaborate with the Shoah Foundation marketing and communications team to effectively share findings and achievements.

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

• Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 7 years of experience in program development and management, with a proven track record of launching and scaling successful initiatives.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing teams.
• Direct experience building, implementing and overseeing complex projects.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategic plans and achieve measurable outcomes.
• Experience with fundraising, budget management, and resource allocation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and build strong partnerships.
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, with a focus on achieving results.
• Sensitivity to cultural issues and a commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in program development and management, with a proven track record of launching and scaling successful initiatives.
• Experience working in the fields of social justice, human rights, cultural awareness, or a related area.
• Familiarity with digital engagement strategies and the use of technology in program delivery.
• Experience in an academic or research-oriented environment.
• Proven track record in securing grants and other funding sources.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words, and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, diversity, equity, and inclusion, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

Application Procedure and Additional Information

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

The annual base salary range for this position is $128,567 - $190,000. 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.

To support the well-being of our faculty and staff, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect their and their dependents’ health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC’s comprehensive benefits here.

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

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.