DESCRIPTION OF ORGANIZATION:
Founded in 2006, the Centre for Oral History and Digital Storytelling (COHDS) is an award-winning interdisciplinary research unit within Concordia University. COHDS has about 300 affiliated faculty members, students, artists, educators, partner organizations, and community members. Our central mission is to support the gathering and preservation of the audiovisual oral history record, while encouraging solo, collaborative, and community-based research and creation that respond to living memory and oral testimony.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
We are seeking a highly organized and proactive Associate Director (AD) to work as the “face” of COHDS and act as the liaison between the COHDS community and the COHDS leadership. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing professional support to the Centre and its affiliates in terms of oral history methods and practices, ensuring timely and engaging communications (i.e. newsletter, social media, website, etc.), overseeing event organization (e.g. programming, networking, registration), sustaining the collaborative and collegial culture of COHDS by responding to and implementing the Board’s directives and policies, as well as the administrative tasks related to the centre. This role requires strong organizational and interpersonal skills, adaptability and exceptional communication skills.
The AD is the primary staff member of COHDS and manages much of the day-to-day needs of this research unit. The AD reports directly to the COHDS Co-Directors and Administrative Board, who decide on COHDS’s strategic vision and priorities.
The AD’s core responsibilities include:
· Welcoming community members, supporting their requests for assistance, and facilitating their needs vis-à-vis our labs, technology, and collection; greeting visitors and liaising with those interested in affiliation with COHDS
· Overseeing and administering the Centre’s administrative tasks including the budget and, in consultation with the COHDS Co-Directors, administering staff contracts and updating the Associate Director handbook, as needed.
· Providing training and support in oral history methods; facilitating the introductory oral history workshops in either English or French; consulting with affiliates on oral history ethics and approaches when needed
· Overseeing communications, liaising with staff members to manage and develop COHDS’ digital presence (i.e. Zoom meetings, COHDS newsletter, social media and website)
· Overseeing event logistics and assisting in the creation, management and logistics of the COHDS’s annual program of events and workshops, including the annual “Emerging Scholars” symposium, and managing space bookings.
· Working closely with the members of the COHDS team, mentoring the Assistant to the Associate Director, and acting as the main liaison between the COHDS leadership and COHDS team as well as COHDS and partnership projects.
· Reporting to the Administrative Board as an ex-officio member, assisting in the organization of board meetings, and taking meeting minutes. In collaboration with the COHDS leadership, preparing reports for the Office of Research, including the COHDS annual reports and other documents
· Overseeing work-study positions, applying for funding, posting work-study positions, interviewing candidates and, in consultation with the Co-Directors, hiring staff as needed/as the budget allows
REQUIREMENTS:
· The ideal candidate will have exceptional interpersonal skills and a demonstrated commitment to community work
· Practical experience of oral history as a method will be considered a strong asset
· Strong background in community-engaged art practice, or the study of that practice will be considered a strong asset
· Bilingual (English and French, written and spoken) and excellent communication and writing skills are required (knowledge of additional languages will be considered an asset)
· Experience with diverse populations, including, but not limited to, Indigenous communities will be considered an asset
· A strong record of administrative expertise is required
· Work experience in a university environment will be considered a strong asset
CONDITIONS:
· 21 hours/week, for 52 weeks, including 3 weeks of paid vacation (plus 1.5 weeks over the winter holidays)
· The salary is $27.03/hour (plus benefits)
· This contract falls under the Concordia Association of Research Employees (CARE) collective agreement. Please note that Concordia students are not eligible to be hired on a CARE contract.
· Starting date: Monday, August 4 (negotiable)
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications must consist of a cover letter, a current curriculum vitae, and the names of two individuals who may be contacted for reference letters. Please send your application to barbara.lorenzkowski@concordia.ca by Monday, June 30, 2025 (applications will be accepted until the position is filled).
