About SPARC
SPARC is a non-profit advocacy organization that supports systems for research and education that are open by default and equitable by design. We believe everyone should be able to access and contribute to the knowledge that shapes our world. As a catalyst for action, our pragmatic agenda focuses on driving policy change, supporting member action, and cultivating communities that advance our vision of knowledge as a public good. SPARC’s membership includes about 250 libraries and academic organizations across North America. SPARC is a project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
About the Position
The Community Manager position will work across SPARC’s Open Education Program, which includes a variety of projects and initiatives that advance open educational resources and practices to support educational equity and student success. The position will focus on conducting outreach, building relationships, and providing advice on effective open education strategies. It will also develop resources, programming, and communications to engage and support community members. Contributing to both implementation and strategy as part of a five-person team, the position will play a key role in advancing SPARC’s own open education work, as well as two community-led efforts currently housed within SPARC: the annual Open Education Conference and an exciting new national initiative that will start in early 2025.
This full-time, virtual position is a prime opportunity for a motivated professional with experience in open education to expand their impact to a national level. Offering considerable flexibility and opportunities for growth, the position is grant-funded for 18 months with the possibility of extension.
Position Title: Community Manager, Open Education
Location: Virtual, based anywhere in the United States. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Hours & Schedule: 40 hours per week (average), generally available 9am-5pm Eastern Time with flexibility for other schedules or time zones. Extra hours may be necessary periodically and are balanced with a flexible time off policy during the rest of the year. Some travel is required, estimated at 3-5 overnight trips per year.
Overtime Status: Exempt
Compensation: Full time employee salary of $70,000-80,000 USD per year, commensurate with experience.
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance. Employees are able to enroll in a 401k retirement plan and are eligible for a 3% automatic contribution and up to a 3% employer match on 401k contributions. Employees are also eligible for pre-tax transportation benefits. Employees will receive 80 hours of vacation time, 80 hours of health leave, up to 2 days of casual leave, and 20 hours of volunteer leave annually. Employees will also receive 13 paid holidays throughout the calendar year. Employees are eligible for 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave after 90 days of employment.
Reports to: Director of Open Education
Availability: Desired start date is March 3, 2025. The position is initially funded for 18 months. Continued employment is subject to the availability of future funding.
Position Responsibilities
- Conduct outreach and build relationships with key leaders, partners, and constituencies both within and outside of the open education field in support of SPARC open education projects and initiatives.
- Develop and manage programming, committees, and resources to educate community members and support more effective open education work.
- Build and manage systems for organizing contacts, activity data, and opportunities in order to support outreach and programming.
- Stay up-to-date on emerging issues and strategies related to open education and produce relevant materials and issue briefs to keep the community informed.
- Develop and disseminate content for social media, newsletters, websites, and blogs for relevant projects and initiatives.
- Provide advice and consultation to SPARC members and other constituencies about effective open education practices.
- Represent SPARC at relevant conferences and meetings, including giving presentations and facilitating workshops.
- Serve on the administrative organizing team for the annual Open Education Conference, assisting with event planning and on-site coordination.
- Serve as part of the staff leadership team of the new national open education coordination initiative that will be incubated at SPARC.
- Contribute to the day-to-day operations of SPARC open education projects and initiatives in collaboration with other team members.
Position Qualifications
Education and experience:
- 5+ years of relevant experience
- Extensive knowledge of open education and the course material landscape in U.S. higher education
- Direct experience working to advance open education or textbook affordability, ideally in an academic or library environment
- Experience building and maintaining strong communities and/or networks
- Experience managing communications functions, such as email lists, website content, and social media
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- No specific degree is required, but a bachelor’s degree or equivalent level of postsecondary coursework is preferred
Skills and abilities:
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, especially in the areas of relationship building and facilitating groups
- Excellent organizational skills, including attention to detail, time management, and project planning
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (English fluency required)
- Strong writing skills, especially the ability to produce high-quality resources about open education
- Strategic thinking skills
- Ability to manage multiple competing priorities
- Ability to efficiently adapt to change and constructive feedback
- Ability to work productively both independently and as part of a virtual team
- Proficiency with systematically organizing information and building and maintaining databases
- Proficiency with G-Suite, including advanced proficiency with Google Sheets and/or Excel, and the capacity to quickly and independently learn new software applications and tools
- Motivation to advance SPARC’s mission of making open the default in research and education for the benefit of students and society
Additional desirable but optional qualifications:
- Existing national-level relationships within the open education field or a closely related field
- Experience in strategic communications and/or policy advocacy
- Leadership experience
Studies have shown that people marginalized by racism and/or sexism are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. If you are unsure if you meet the listed requirements but believe you can perform the job as described, we encourage you to apply.
How to Apply
Please complete the application form to apply for the position. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply no later than January 29, 2025. All candidates who apply by this date will receive a response either way by February 7, 2025.
The position is available to start immediately after an offer is made, with a target start date on or before March 3, 2025. Email [email protected] with any questions or requests for accommodations.
Hiring Statement
The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition (SPARC) is a project of New Venture Fund (NVF), a 501(c)(3) public charity that incubates new and innovative public-interest projects and grant-making programs. NVF is committed to attracting, developing and retaining exceptional people, and to creating a work environment that is dynamic, rewarding and enables each of us to realize our potential. NVF’s work environment is safe and open to all employees and partners, respecting the full spectrum of race, color, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, political affiliation, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other classifications protected by law in the locality and/or state in which you are working.
E-Verify
NVF participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with employees’ Form I-9 information to confirm authorization to work in the United States. Job candidates and employees authorized to work may not be discriminated against on the basis of national origin or citizenship status.