Academic Freedom Organizer

American Association of University Professors

Department of Academic Freedom, 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 an Academic Freedom Organizer. AAUP is uniting and mobilizing the higher ed sector against increasing partisan attacks that undermine academic freedom in principle and practice. We aim to protect college and university teaching and research, strengthen the higher education labor movement by forging cross-sector solidarity, and defend democracy itself against authoritarian encroachment. The Academic Freedom Organizer will empower AAUP members in both collective bargaining and non-collective bargaining contexts to organize on their campuses to defend academic freedom, job security, due process rights, shared governance, and other core AAUP principles.

The Organizer will play a critical role in advancing AAUP’s mission and the entire higher education sector. They will work closely with AAUP member-leaders, AAUP national staff, the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom (CDAF), and coalition partners to create practical resources, facilitate their use, and build strategic partnerships for those engaged in defending academic freedom.

A successful candidate will be a skilled organizer, an effective strategist, and someone capable of operating independently and using good judgment. The Organizer will travel widely to support AAUP chapters and collaborate with fellow staff.

This is a one-year Special Appointment position in the Department of Academic Freedom, Tenure, and Governance (DAFTG) covered by the AAUP-United Staff of AAUP collective bargaining agreement. Renewal of the position for a second year is possible dependent on funding. Special Appointment positions are short-term appointments (not to exceed two years) for the purpose of fulfilling clearly defined, temporary projects, including but not limited to organizing assignments, pilot programs, and grant-funded projects.

The AAUP is committed to a diverse workforce and strives to achieve a workplace environment respectful of the many cultures of our own employees and the higher education workers we represent, including a significant number of African-American, Asian-American/Pacific Islander, and Latinx employees, as well as LGBTQl-identified employees, and those who have immigrated from various countries. The AAUP values the benefits that diversity brings to the faculty profession and the labor movement. We seek applicants whose experience and perspective will contribute to strong representation of our diverse members.

Duties and Responsibilities

The position will include the following responsibilities:

• Advance local campus campaigns around academic freedom issues.
• Share best practices and provide guidance with AAUP chapter leaders on AAUP policies and CDAF resources.
• Increase AAUP members’ capacity for academic freedom defense.
• Participate in rapid response efforts when serious threats to academic freedom emerge.
• Travel to campuses nationwide to help AAUP members understand and exercise their rights.
• Assist in navigating higher education crises by explaining likely processes and connecting individuals to resources.
• Collaborate with other AAUP staff to develop and strengthen field responses.
• Build and support cross-institutional groups that can advocate for academic freedom at campus, regional, state, and national levels.
• Implement decisions and priorities of AAUP elected leaders for member-facing programs, special projects, and long-range planning.
• Support the inclusion of academic freedom and job security protections in collective bargaining agreements and faculty handbooks.
• Conduct member education, including workshops and trainings.
• 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, and problems currently facing higher education workers nationwide, including the political context in which higher education workers are organizing.
• Experience coordinating meetings, workshops, and other convenings.
• Collaboration skills to organize successfully in a team-based environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the United States, to work long, irregular hours and weekends as needed, and to accept lengthy field assignments in different locations. This is a national position and requires an ability to travel and work throughout the country.
• Excellent writing, communication, research, and analytical skills.
• Commitment to racial equity.
• Associate degree.
• Current driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Union organizing experience.
• Working familiarity with AAUP principles and standards.
• Bachelor’s degree or other advanced degree and experience teaching 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 designed or intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Activities, duties, and responsibilities may change, or new ones may be assigned during the course of employment.

Compensation 

Salary range: $74,123.96 - $85,145.13. AAUP offers a generous 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 Officer position is included in the staff bargaining unit. This is an exempt position and 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 multiple in-person work sites on college and university campuses nationwide, sometimes on short notice.

To Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, and include the names and contact information of three references; all application material are required. No phone calls or recruiters please. Review of applications will begin immediately. Full consideration of applications will be given to applications submitted by June 28, 2026. If necessary, applications submitted after June 28, 2026 may be considered on a rolling basis until July 13, 2026.
 

The AAUP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, disability, race, color, religion, national origin, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, genetic information, matriculation, political affiliation, homelessness, or other characteristics unrelated to professional performance. (EEO Know Your Rights | Family Medical Leave Act).

Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.