Title: Director of The Institute of America Constitutional Thought and Leadership

Department Org: Law-Instruction - 102100

Director, The Institute of American Constitutional Thought & Leadership

Summary

The Institute of American Constitutional Thought & Leadership at The University of Toledo (the “Institute”) is conducting a nationwide search for the Institute’s next faculty Director, a leader who will build on the Institute’s strong foundation and guide the Institute to continued success. 

The Institute is a multidisciplinary university center that conducts teaching, research, and public programming concerning the core texts and great debates of Western civilization; the principles, ideals, and institutions of the American and Ohio political order; and the foundations of responsible leadership and informed citizenship.  The Institute is an independent academic unit within The University of Toledo and is currently physically located in the Law Center on the main campus.  The Director’s effective leadership of the Institute is essential to the Institute achieving its mission as defined by Ohio Revised Code Sec. 3364.07. 

The Institute’s enabling act grants the Director the “sole and exclusive authority to manage the recruitment and hiring process and to extend offers for employment for all faculty and staff ….”  The Director will hire faculty for the Institute as supported by the Institute’s budget.  The Director will be responsible for identifying and securing resources to support and grow the Institute’s budget.  Additionally, the Director is authorized to “oversee, develop, and approve the institute’s curriculum.”  The legislation furthermore empowers the Institute “to offer courses, and develop certificate, minor, major, and graduate programs, and offer degrees.”

The Director will be responsible for advancing knowledge about the American constitutional and civic tradition while promoting intellectual diversity.  The Director must communicate the Institute’s mission effectively to a variety of audiences, including scholars, administrators, students, and the public.  The Director will practice continual engagement with these audiences to support the Institute’s development, identify the needs of students, attract donors and grants, and generally ensure the Institute’s success and prominence.  The Director will collaborate with University administrators, faculty, and units. 

The Director will be an expert in the western tradition, the American founding, and American constitutional thought.  In addition to being the chief administrative officer for the Institute, the Director will also be a faculty member with tenure or tenure eligibility.  In this capacity, the Director will continue to make scholarly contributions within an academic discipline while working closely with the interdisciplinary body of faculty and students who are members of the Institute’s academic community.

The Director will report directly to the president and provost of the University and will submit an annual report to the board of trustees of the University and the Ohio General Assembly.  The Director’s term will be for five years and is renewable.  The Director will have the assistance of the Institute’s Executive Director, who will report to and collaborate with the Director on all matters pertaining to the execution of the Institute’s mission, along with other staff. 

The Director will be one of a growing cadre of leaders of similar centers of civic thought and leadership in Ohio and throughout the country.  The Director will build relationships of cooperation with the other Ohio centers. 

The Institute’s Academic Council, comprised of seven members who are eminent scholars appointed by the Board of Trustees and confirmed by the Ohio Senate, will conduct the nationwide search for the Director and transmit to the president of the University a list of finalists from which the president will select a Director.

Key Responsibilities

The Director will be responsible for:

• Developing and promoting the Institute’s curriculum in American constitutional studies, drawing from the western traditions of civic and liberal education
• Leading University-wide programming related to the values of American constitutionalism, open inquiry, and civil discourse
• Managing the recruitment, hiring, appointment, onboarding, and ongoing supervision of tenured and tenure-track faculty
• Overseeing the Institute’s budget and ensuring the Institute’s fiscal health through growth of resources
• Serving as a faculty member and meeting all faculty obligations
• Providing an annual report on the Institute’s development and operations to the University board of trustees and the Ohio General Assembly
• Supporting the Institute’s existing faculty in their teaching and research goals
• Building relationships with the Institute’s current and potential stakeholders, including students, faculty, administrators, legislators, and donors
• Collaborating with individuals and programs at the University of Toledo to facilitate interdisciplinary course offerings, scholarly exchanges, and collegial working relationships
• Coordinating and cooperating with Directors at other centers of civic thought in Ohio

Required Education and Experience Qualifications

• Ph.D., J.D., or equivalent terminal degree in a discipline related to the Institute’s mission
• Record of outstanding scholarly achievement
• Demonstrated leadership and administrative ability
• Prudential judgment and discretion
• Ability to work effectively with others to identify opportunities for growth and leverage resources in the Institute’s complex academic environment
• Demonstrated commitment to the Institute’s legislated mission
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Experience with (or potential for) curricular development and administration
• Record of teaching quality
• Ability to conduct scholarship while fulfilling a demanding time commitment to the Institute’s administration

Preferred Qualifications

• Scholarly mastery of the intellectual traditions, institutions, and laws of America’s constitutional order
• Familiarity with the western tradition of political thought and leadership
• Experience developing organizations, systems, and staffing for growing enterprises
• Experience in navigating administrative challenges and working with colleagues from a variety of viewpoints and disciplines

The University of Toledo and Northwest Ohio

Founded in 1872, the University of Toledo is an R2 public research university with over 15,000 enrolled students.  It is a leading institution of northwest Ohio, serving the region both academically and economically, and boasting over 171,000 living alumni, many of whom actively contribute to the local community.

More than 600,000 people live in the Toledo metropolitan area.  The city is located near the western shores of Lake Erie.  Long known for its auto and glass manufacturing, Toledo combines economic vitality, cultural richness, and robust community life.  The revitalized downtown offers the renowned Toledo Museum of Art, one of the best minor league ballparks in the U.S., and an active brewery and restaurant scene.  Toledo is also home to one of the country’s best zoos and a network of beautiful Metroparks with 120+ miles of trails.

How to Apply

Please visit UToledo Careers to find out more and apply online for this opening.  Applicants should submit the following:

1. A current and comprehensive curriculum vitae that includes names and contact information for at least three references.
2. A letter of interest explaining why the applicant is interested in the role of Director, why the applicant is a good fit for the position, and why the applicant is committed to the Institute’s mission. This letter should describe the applicant’s preparation to lead, support, and develop the Institute’s teaching, research, and public programming.

The Academic Council may request additional documents from selected applicants.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.  Priority review will occur for applications submitted before September 9, 2024. 

The position’s start date is part of the conversation. 

For additional information, please contact Dr. Michael Gonzalez, Interim Director, The Institute of American Constitutional Thought & Leadership, at michael.gonzalez6@utoledo.edu.

Letters of interest should be addressed to:

The Academic Council

Institute of American Constitutional Thought & Leadership

University of Toledo

2801 West Bancroft, MS 507

Toledo, Ohio 43606

Conditions of Employment:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Toledo is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. The University of Toledo does not discriminate in employment, educational programs, or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, disability, familial status, or political affiliation. 

The University is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, dual-career professionals and covered veterans.

The University of Toledo provides reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodation to complete this application, or for testing or interviewing, please contact the HR Compliance at  hrcompliance@utoledo.edu or 419-530-4747 between the hours of 8:30AM and 5:00PM or apply online for an accommodation request.