Job Description for the Director, North Carolina Open Government Coalition and Instructor, School of Communications position. Review job description, requirements, and qualifications. Apply or register interest for the position.

Director, North Carolina Open Government Coalition and Instructor, School of Communications

The School of Communications at Elon University invites applications for director of the North Carolina Open Government Coalition (hereinafter “the Coalition”) and instructor in the school. The 12-month position involves teaching three courses over the academic year and working with the Coalition board to strengthen public understanding and appreciation of the value of transparency in government through open meetings, open records, and other forms of accessibility for the public good. Application review will begin on July 8, 2024, and proceed until the position is filled.

Responsibilities:

• Board Collaboration: The director is the primary manager of the Coalition’s legal and fiscal affairs. Work closely with the volunteer board to define and execute the Coalition’s strategic goals, organize meetings, and ensure effective communication between board members. Work with the board on strategic planning to inform North Carolina citizens about open government laws and the value of government transparency in a democracy.
• Open Government Hotline and Email: Manage and staff the Open Government Hotline and Email, providing timely and accurate responses to inquiries from journalists, citizens, and other stakeholders regarding public records, open meetings, and related issues. Coordinate with board members who are lawyers to handle legal inquiries and draft advisory letters. 
• Membership Communications and Fundraising: Produce and distribute a quarterly membership newsletter, which includes updates on Coalition activities, news on open government issues, and resources for our members. Conduct an annual membership drive and fundraising efforts. 
• Public and Social Communications: Represent the Coalition in media interviews. Maintain an up-to-date website and social media presence. 
• Financial Management: Oversee the Coalition’s budget, ensure financial compliance and sustainability, and prepare financial reports for board review.
• Event Planning: Assist in planning and coordinating the annual statewide summit, including logistics, programming, and outreach to ensure the event's success. Organize workshops and create webinars on open meetings and open records laws.
• Teaching: Teach a three-course load (12sh) in an appropriate area of expertise at the undergraduate level (B.S.), such as media law and ethics, senior research, and journalism courses in the Department of Journalism. Depending on the candidate’s qualifications, other courses assigned could support the school’s other undergraduate majors and the university's core curriculum. Elon has a Fall and Spring semester, as well as a three-week Winter Term in January. Courses may be assigned during any of the three. Additional responsibilities may include advising students and serving on committees at the school level.

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in public administration, journalism, law, or a related field (J.D. desirable).
• Significant professional experience in journalism or communications.
• Working knowledge of North Carolina state laws regarding open government. Value of government transparency in a democracy. 
• Ability to be an influential voice to promote and uphold the value of government transparency in society. 
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations, particularly in leadership or management roles.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Competency in financial management and budgeting.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including journalists, government officials, and the public.
• Two to three years experience teaching at the college or university level.

About the North Carolina Open Government Coalition

Elon’s School of Communications has housed the Coalition and its educational arm, the Sunshine Center, since 2007. The nonprofit and nonpartisan Coalition unites organizations interested in ensuring and enhancing the public’s access to government activity. The Coalition’s Sunshine Center focuses on outreach efforts to inform citizens about the importance of government openness, educates people about their rights, supports their efforts to gain access, and advocates the principles and benefits of open government. The Coalition is dedicated to promoting transparency and ensuring the public's access to government information and proceedings. We believe in fostering an informed citizenry, vital for a functioning democracy. To learn more, visit https://ncopengov.org/

About Elon University and the School of Communications

Elon University is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture. At Elon, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff who embrace a scholarly model built upon mentoring, collaboration and innovation. Central to this model are the five signature programs that comprise the Elon Experiences – study abroad, internships, undergraduate research, service and leadership.

Established in 2000, the Elon School of Communications inspires graduates to be thought leaders committed to the public good in this diverse, rapidly evolving landscape of digital communications. Teacher-scholars with decades of collective professional experience educate students studying cinema & television arts, communication design, journalism, media analytics, sport management and strategic communications.

The school’s quad serves as a 105,000-square-foot learning laboratory and brings together approximately 1,300 students and more than 80 faculty and staff. Facilities feature state-of-the-art television studios, video editing suites, classrooms and faculty offices, a movie theater, and a virtual studio with a green hard-wall cyclorama. The school has been touted by the Broadcast Education Association, PRNEWS, and Society for American Baseball Research for preparing industry-ready professionals who grasp the changing nature of communication, entertainment, news and sport. Alumni work worldwide at organizations such as Amazon, CNN, ESPN, Golin, NASCAR, Nike, The New York Times, Univision, and numerous other employers.

The School of Communications is among 18 private colleges and universities accredited by the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Its Department of Sport Management earned accreditation in 2023 from the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation.

Elon University and the Coalition affirm that we value and celebrate the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and perspectives of our community members. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. Further, our employees are people who foster respect for human differences, passion for lifelong learning, personal integrity, and an ethic of work and service. All our employees’ points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

Application Process

Review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please attach a letter of application, CV, a teaching statement containing evidence of teaching effectiveness, a link to a professional profile, and the names and contact information for three references. For more information, contact Professor Jessica Gisclair, chair of the search committee at jgisclair@elon.edu.