Program Director, DCI and DCN

Posted: 03-Apr-26

Location: Davidson, North Carolina

Type: Full-time

Categories:

Staff/Administrative

Internal Number: 880

Davidson College seeks applications for the role of Program Director for the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative (DCI) and Deliberative Citizenship Network (DCN), in the D.G. and Harriet Wall Martin Institute for Public Good. The Martin Institute integrates academic research, civic engagement, public policy, creative expression, and ethical leadership to foster collaboration that equips students to address society's challenges and emerge as ethical public leaders. The Institute's work is organized around five interrelated program areas, including the Beacon Program for Deliberation & Free Expression, for which the Deliberative Citizenship Initiative (DCI) and the recently launched Deliberative Citizenship Network (DCN) are flagship programs.

The DCI creates opportunities for Davidson students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of the wider community to productively engage with one another on difficult and contentious issues facing our community and society. It hosts a student Fellows Program, a Deliberative Pedagogy Program, Deliberative Facilitator Training Workshops, Deliberative Forums, Speaker Series, and small group discussions called D Teams. The DCI also leads the Deliberative Citizenship Network (DCN), a new multi-year national initiative that will support 100 colleges and universities across the country in developing programs that foster civil discourse and constructive engagement across differences.

The Program Director serves as the chief operational leader for the DCI and DCN and will play a central role in advancing Davidson's national leadership in civil discourse, deliberative pedagogy, and free expression. The primary responsibility of the Program Director is the successful implementation of the DCN, which will extend the DCI's programming to its member institutions and assist them in customizing it to their own campus contexts. Working closely with faculty, staff, partner institutions, and external collaborators, the Program Director ensures that program activities are well coordinated, effectively sequenced, and implemented with fidelity to the grant's goals and federal requirements.

The position reports to the Hay Managing Director of the Martin Institute for Public Good. The DCI and DCN are led by the DCI Faculty Director, who serves as the Project Director and Principal Investigator of the Department of Education Grant supporting the DCN's creation. The Faculty Director provides day-to-day direction and programmatic leadership for the DCI and DCN and guides the work of the Program Director in advancing the program's priorities.

Collaborative, highly organized professionals motivated to strengthen civil discourse in higher education are encouraged to apply to join our team that values intellectual openness, innovation, and partnership.

Davidson College is located a short drive from Charlotte, NC, the state's largest city. As an employer, Davidson offers numerous benefits, including:

• 4 weeks of vacation in the first year of employment, plus College holidays
• Health insurance
• A 403(b) retirement plan to which the College contributes 9.5% of salary after one year of employment
• Tuition assistance for employees after one year of employment

This is a four-year, fixed term appointment primarily supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. There may be opportunities for longer-term employment contingent upon additional funding.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and Coordination of the Deliberative Citizenship Network

Provide operational leadership for the DCN and ensure alignment across its multiple program components, including training programs, campus-based initiatives, civil discourse programming, and evaluation activities. Translate the project's multi-year developmental framework into annual work plans, timelines, and milestones, and lead regular staff meetings focused on coordination, progress tracking, and continuous improvement.

Partner Institution Engagement and Network Development

Oversee the recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing engagement of partner institutions participating in the DCN. Serve as the primary operational point of contact for campus leads and support institutions as they develop courses, training programs, and public programming related to civil discourse and deliberative citizenship. Monitor institutional progress toward grant benchmarks and facilitate cross-campus collaboration and learning.

Staff Supervision and Team Leadership

Supervise and support the DCI staff team, including the Assistant Director for Training Programs, the Assistant Director for Civil Discourse Programs, and the Program Coordinator. Provide guidance on workload prioritization, role clarity, and collaboration across program areas. Foster a collegial, mission-driven team culture grounded in respect for diverse viewpoints and constructive dialogue.

Grant Management and Compliance

Serve as the operational lead for the implementation of the federal grant supporting the DCN. Coordinate with Davidson College's Office of Sponsored Programs and relevant campus offices on budget oversight, reporting requirements, and compliance with federal guidelines. Contribute to the preparation of required reports to the U.S. Department of Education and ensure timely progress toward grant deliverables.

Evaluation and Continuous Improvement

Coordinate with the project's external evaluator to support data collection and assessment activities. Ensure evaluation findings inform program refinement and strategic planning, and work with staff and partner institutions to identify opportunities for improvement and innovation.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will be an experienced professional capable of managing complex initiatives while working collaboratively with colleagues across multiple institutional and ideological contexts.

Required qualifications include:

• Five years of demonstrated experience managing complex programs, initiatives, or projects in higher education, nonprofit, civic, or related settings
• Master's degree in communication studies, management, philosophy, political science, public policy, rhetoric, or a related field
• (Or some combination of education and experience that is equivalent to the prior two sentences)
• Strong organizational, communication, and project-management skills
• Experience supervising staff or leading teams
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and institutional partners
• Commitment to and experience with advancing civil discourse, deliberative dialogue, and constructive engagement across differences
• Ability to work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience working with federal or foundation-funded grants
• Experience working in higher education
• Experience coordinating multi-institution or network-based initiatives
• Familiarity with deliberative pedagogy or civil discourse programs

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position may include periodic travel to partner institutions and national convenings. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required for events.

Information about how to submit an application can be found at https://employment.davidson.edu/.