Academic Freedom Organizer

American Association ofUniversity Professors

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.

• Excellent writing, communication, research, andanalytical

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

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).

Women and minorities are encouraged toapply.

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