Associate Director for Communications and Stewardship

Department: Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics

Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing

Salary: $65,000 - $82,000 per year

Compensation Band: OS-OA07-Fiscal Year

FTE: 1.0

FLSA Exempt: Yes

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 live streamed lectures, panels, and events that are free and open to the public. The WMC carries forward the legacy of Oregon’s 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 UO’s Eugene campus.

It is endowment‑funded and relies on gifts from supporters to fulfill its mission. In 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 WMC’s 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 Center’s communications, developing strategies and producing materials and digital content that increase the Center’s visibility; boost event attendance; recruit applicants for student and faculty programs and awards; and promote Senator Morse’s 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 Coordinator’s 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…