Job Number:
HC-05074
Date Posted:
April 13, 2026
Position Title:
Joan and Irwin Jacobs Program Officer for American Institutions, Society, and the Public Good
Party:
N/A
Office Code:
Office/Company:
American Academy of Arts & Sciences
Reports To:
Location:
Cambridge, MA, Washington, DC
Contact:
Salary:
Primary Role
Secondary Role:
Job Type:
Full Time
Description:
The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Program Officer is responsible for launching and ensuring the success of the Local Knowledge Initiative (LKI), a new initiative focused on the role of local knowledge and experts in building thriving local communities.Collaborate with Academy leadership, staff, members, host organizations, and other partners to successfully launch and oversee the inaugural year of the Local Knowledge Initiative. Build and maintain partnerships with local experts and stakeholders across diverse U.S. communities, supporting scoping conversations and expanding the Academy’s presence in academic, policy, and professional spaces.Master’s degree and at least five years of professional work experience or equivalent experience. Seven years of experience or a PhD in any field of study with a connection to local knowledge plus two years of experience can be substituted.
Responsibilities:
• Collaborate with Academy leadership, staff, members, host organizations, and other partners to successfully launch and oversee the inaugural year of the Local Knowledge Initiative.
• Build and maintain partnerships with local experts and stakeholders across diverse U.S. communities, supporting scoping conversations and expanding the Academy’s presence in academic, policy, and professional spaces.
• Collaborate with leadership to explore and develop funding opportunities, including grant writing and fundraising.
• Develop outreach and communications plans for the project and develop strategy to successfully implement the project’s storytelling objectives.
• Advise the Academy President and staff on matters related to the project.
• Research, draft, and edit materials for internal and external audiences, including reports, briefings, and publications. Coordinate information flow among stakeholders.
Qualifications:
• Master’s degree and at least five years of professional work experience or equivalent experience. Seven years of experience or a PhD in any field of study with a connection to local knowledge plus two years of experience can be substituted.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to synthesize research, analyze data, and present findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• Deep commitment to interdisciplinary thinking and working across multiple sectors and disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience working with community-based organizations, nonprofits, or local businesses; experience with higher education institutions is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in, or leading partnerships with, place-based civic organizations is a plus.
• Expertise in American politics, society, and/or public policy, including current scholarship and policy issues; political economy knowledge preferred.
Instructions:
Email to apply
Other:
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