Department of AcademicFreedom, Tenure, and Governance
Academic Freedom Organizer –Remote
The American Association of University Professors (AAUP),a fast-growing union of higher education workers, invites applications for anAcademic Freedom Organizer. AAUP is uniting and mobilizing the higher ed sectoragainst increasing partisan attacks that undermine academic freedom inprinciple and practice. We aim to protect college and university teaching andresearch, strengthen the higher education labor movement by forgingcross-sector solidarity, and defend democracy itself against authoritarian encroachment.The Academic Freedom Organizer will empower AAUP members in both collectivebargaining and non-collective bargaining contexts to organize on their campusesto defend academic freedom, job security, due process rights, sharedgovernance, and other core AAUP principles.
The Organizer will play a critical role in advancingAAUP’s mission and the entire higher education sector. They will work closelywith AAUP member-leaders, AAUP national staff, the Center for the Defense ofAcademic Freedom (CDAF), and coalition partners to create practical resources,facilitate their use, and build strategic partnerships for those engaged indefending academic freedom.
A successful candidate will be a skilled organizer, aneffective strategist, and someone capable of operating independently and usinggood judgment. The Organizer will travel widely to support AAUP chapters andcollaborate with fellow staff.
This is a one-year Special Appointment position in theDepartment of Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Governance (DAFTG) covered by theAAUP-United Staff of AAUP collective bargaining agreement. Renewal of theposition for a second year is possible dependent on funding. SpecialAppointment positions are short-term appointments (not to exceed two years) forthe purpose of fulfilling clearly defined, temporary projects, including butnot limited to organizing assignments, pilot programs, and grant-funded projects.
The AAUP is committed to a diverse workforce and strivesto achieve a workplace environment respectful of the many cultures of our ownemployees and the higher education workers we represent, including asignificant number of African-American, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, andLatinx employees, as well as LGBTQl-identified employees, and those who haveimmigrated from various countries. The AAUP values the benefits that diversitybrings to the faculty profession and the labor movement. We seek applicantswhose experience and perspective will contribute to strong representation ofour diverse members.
Duties and Responsibilities
The position will include the following responsibilities:
Advance local campus campaigns around academic freedomissues.
Share best practices and provide guidance with AAUPchapter leaders on AAUP policies and CDAF resources.
Increase AAUP members’ capacity for academic freedomdefense.
Participate in rapid response efforts when seriousthreats to academic freedom emerge.
Travel to campuses nationwide to help AAUP membersunderstand and exercise their rights.
Assist in navigating higher education crises byexplaining likely processes and connecting individuals to resources.
Collaborate with other AAUP staff to develop andstrengthen field responses.
Build and support cross-institutional groups that canadvocate for academic freedom at campus, regional, state, and national levels.
Implement decisions and priorities of AAUP electedleaders for member-facing programs, special projects, and long-range planning.
Support the inclusion of academic freedom and jobsecurity protections in collective bargaining agreements and faculty handbooks.
Conduct member education, including workshops andtrainings.
Track progress toward benchmarks and strategic goals.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Three years’ experience as an organizer.
Demonstrated understanding of academic freedom.
Strong grasp of the urgent issues, pressures, andproblems currently facing higher education workers nationwide, including thepolitical context in which higher education workers are organizing.
Experience coordinating meetings, workshops, and otherconvenings.
Collaboration skills to organize successfully in ateam-based environment.
Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughoutthe United States, to work long, irregular hours and weekends as needed, and toaccept lengthy field assignments in different locations. This is a nationalposition and requires an ability to travel and work throughout the country.
Working familiarity with AAUP principles and standards.
Bachelor’s degree or other advanced degree and experienceteaching and/or conducting research in higher education.
Experience working with coalitions of education, union,public sector, and/or public interest workers.
Demonstrated experience with racial equity initiatives.
This job description is not designedor intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties,or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Activities, duties, andresponsibilities may change, or new ones may be assigned during the course ofemployment.
Compensation
Salary range: $74,123.96 - $85,145.13. AAUP offers agenerous benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision insurance;paid sick days; paid vacations days; and 401(K).
Position Classification
This special appointment full-time Senior Program Officerposition is included in the staff bargaining unit. This is an exempt positionand is not eligible for overtime pay.
Work Location
This position is remote and does not require relocation.However, the Academic Freedom Organizer will travel frequently to multiplein-person work sites on college and university campuses nationwide, sometimeson short notice.
To Apply
To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, andinclude the names and contact information of three references; all applicationmaterial are required. No phone calls or recruiters please. Review ofapplications will begin immediately. Full consideration of applications will begiven to applications submitted by June 28, 2026. If necessary, applicationssubmitted after June 28, 2026 may be considered on a rolling basis until July13, 2026.
The AAUP is an equal opportunity employer and does notdiscriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, color, religion,national origin, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexualorientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information,matriculation, political affiliation, homelessness, or other characteristicsunrelated to professional performance. (EEO Know Your Rights | FamilyMedical Leave Act).
