Executive Director

Overview

Executive Director
Modern Language Association of America
New York, New York

The Modern Language Association of America (MLA) is seeking a visionary leader to grow the organization and solidify the MLA as a leading advocate and champion of the humanities. The next executive director will support humanities practitioners in their teaching and research and promote the value of the humanities in higher education and beyond. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a bold, thoughtful leader to shape the next chapter of the MLA during a time of unprecedented challenges and opportunities facing the humanities.

Founded in 1883, the MLA promotes research in and teaching of languages, literatures, writing, and cultural studies through its programs, publications, annual convention, and advocacy work. Membership currently includes almost 20,000 scholars and teachers in 100 countries.

• Serve as the MLA’s primary operational steward, overseeing the financial sustainability of the organization by ensuring that the MLA’s programs and publications retain their excellence and relevance.
• Secure grant funding and attract new and existing donors to support MLA programs and initiatives.
• Expand and redefine MLA’s presence as an advocate for the humanities through extensive subject knowledge, resourceful creativity, and leadership to meet the challenges facing the humanities and MLA’s members.
• Collaborate with the organization’s elected leadership and membership to create new avenues for advancing the MLA’s work.
• Oversee a staff of nearly 100 who serve the membership of the MLA and foster a diverse, inclusive culture that supports professional growth, member engagement, and public awareness of humanities-based issues.
• Work with the Executive Council on matters of strategy and policy while providing strong leadership and management to the organization.

• Deep administrative experience in academic, nonprofit, or other relevant fields.
• A track record of effective leadership and management, with energy for working with the organization’s elected leadership and membership.
• Ability to navigate strategic challenges and advance the MLA’s mission while promoting diversity and inclusion within staff and membership.
• Blends of leadership and management skills suitable to leading a large organization and collaborating with a broad network of stakeholders.

This position is based in New York City, with a hybrid work environment. Salary for this position is between $250,000 and $300,000, commensurate with experience.

Evaluation of prospective candidates will begin immediately with the anticipation that the position will be filled by February 2027. Applications (including résumés and letters of interest) should be submitted in confidence to the following source: the talent profile at the search page and not restricted to a single link. All inquiries, nominations, and referrals should be directed to the MLA search team below.

Steve Leo, Managing Director

Holly Jackson, Managing Director

Vicki Henderson, Senior Search Associate

For additional information on the MLA, position, and qualifications, please visit the MLA webpage for this search.