Associate Director, IHC

Position overview

Position title:
Associate Director



Salary range:
UC system-wide salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and/or step at appointment. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience, the budget for the position, and the application of fair, equitable, and consistent pay practices at the University. The budgeted salary that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $84,246 - $106,732.

Percent time:
100

Anticipated start:
June 1, 2026 or later

Application Window

Open date: May 5, 2026

Most recent review date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Thursday, Dec 31, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

About the Interdisciplinary Humanities Center

The IHC fosters interdisciplinary research in the humanities, fine arts, and humanistic social sciences. It grants support scholarship that makes original contributions to established areas of humanistic study, traverses disciplinary boundaries, and advances emerging fields of inquiry. A cornerstone of the Center's activities is its year-long public events series, which explores topics and issues of far-reaching concern. As a member of the UC Consortium of Humanities Centers, the IHC serves as a link between the campus community and the University of California system.

The IHC is committed to advancing the civic mission of the university and sponsoring public humanities initiatives that engage humanistic practices in addressing issues of social consequence. The IHC collaborates with community partners and academic departments across the UCSB campus on programs in community-engaged arts and public humanities and sponsors courses that train humanities graduate students to pursue multiple career paths.

IHC Associate Director

General Summary

Works independently to provide direction and oversight of all IHC public programs and seven research awards programs that serve faculty and graduate students in the humanities, social sciences and the fine arts. Collaborates with the Director in developing IHC programs and initiatives and oversees the management of these programs and initiatives. Assists the Director in fundraising, creates partnerships with external organizations and groups, and represents the Center in state-wide and national organizations. Supervises the Assistant Director and the Senior Artist to see that all planned events and publicity from the IHC meet institutional standards. Supervises IV Arts Director. Reports to the IHC Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

Works independently to provide direction and oversight to all IHC public events, public humanities programs, and seven research awards programs that serve multiple constituencies: UCSB faculty, graduate students, and undergraduate students in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts; local and regional publics; and statewide institutions. Works independently to devise policies and procedures for the smooth running of all IHC public programs and awards. Oversees all IHC courses, may occasionally conduct workshops, and teaches an annual seminar for the IHC. Implements operational policies and procedures as they relate to overall Center goals. With the Director and Business Officer, determine long-term administrative goals for the Center and do staffing and fiscal planning. With the Director, allocates space in the Center. The Associate Director is expected to administer the IHC with a great amount of independence and receives general guidance from the Director.

Independently serves as liaison to the IHC's advisory board and manages the research profile of the Center. Maintains administrative ties to numerous units on campus and off, including all IHC Sub-units, Research Focus Groups, and Isla Vista Arts. Independently administers co-sponsorship program and the Research Focus Groups. Coordinates the administration of IHC awards for faculty and graduate students. Schedules all meetings of the advisory board for the purpose of distributing research awards. Serves as the IHC staff representative in the UC Humanities Consortium and UC Humanities Network and coordinates communication with UCHRI. Liaises with other humanities centers and national organizations. Engages in state and national humanities advocacy efforts.

Supervises the Assistant Director in planning all public activities and events at the Center. Coordinates with the Assistant Director on all public outreach and promotion of Center events. Supervises the work of the Senior Artist and approves all graphic design and documentary work produced by the Senior Artist to promote the IHC and its activities. IV Arts Director, a sub-unit of the IHC, will report directly to this position.

Works with relevant faculty advisory committees, consults with faculty and students in planning educational programs and events, and organizes a variety of academic and cultural events involving faculty, students, and guest speakers both on campus and in the community. Works with committees of faculty and sometimes community members to advise on and arrange the programming of conferences and lecture series. Provides conceptual budgetary analysis of proposed programs. Oversees budgetary planning and tracking for all programs and events. When assigned by the Director, independently plans and organizes lecture series and special events.

Independently develops relationships with a range of external partners, including local elected officials, school district senior administrators, foundation staff, industry contacts, nonprofit leaders, community representatives, and arts administrators. Represents the interests of the IHC to off-campus organizations and funders. Attends evening and weekend off-campus events that are either sponsored by IHC or related to its activities and interact with the Santa Barbara community. Independently creates community partnerships, resulting in educational and collaborative opportunities for both campus and community members.

In conjunction and coordination with the IHC Director and Development officers of the Division of Humanities and Fine Arts, conducts various external fundraising activities, including donor cultivation and stewardship activities. Maintains records of IHC fundraising activities and prepares reports for the Director on fundraising strategies and progress. Maintains close working relations with the Office of Public Affairs and serves as Public Relations Officer of the IHC.

Directs new and ongoing programs for humanities and humanistic social sciences graduate students in areas that will prepare them to do publicly engaged work and for multiple career tracks (e.g. digital humanities, public work; data analysis; language interpreting; and social justice pedagogy). Directs IHC-sponsored programs that involve partnerships with community groups and organizations. With the IHC Director, develops and provides strategic leadership to state-wide prison education programs and initiatives.

Both generate and coordinate funds for a complex portfolio of programs. Includes obtaining and managing funds from a variety of intramural sources, endowments, extramural awards, organizational cost-shares, and sales and service agreements. Applies for and manages extramural grants and seeks out new local, state, and national funding opportunities. Manages multiple, complex contracts with local school districts and partnership agreements with community organizations.

Department :

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application)

Candidate must have a Ph.D in a humanistic discipline

Preferred qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates who have the following qualifications:

Have a high interest in the public humanities and have previous work experience in an academic environment.

Excellent communication, writing, and interpersonal skills.


Demonstrated competence in program administration, community engagement, and event coordination

Experience supervising staff and students.


Excellent customer service skills

Superior oral and written communication skills and copy-editing skills

Excellent organizational and planning skills

Ability to keep track of multiple, competing deadlines and work in a fast-paced environment

An ability to work collaboratively

An interest in civic engagement and the ability to advocate for the importance of the humanities in higher education

and in the public sphere Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

Reference requirements

• 3 required (contact information only)

Candidates are required to provide three references, including at least one supervisor. Letters from the

references of the leading candidates will be requested, and the references will also be contacted by phone Apply link:

Help contact: View email address on click.appcast.io

About UC Santa Barbara

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, students and third parties
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

Additionally, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs, as may be amended or revised from time to time. Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Job location
Santa Barbara, CA