The Center for Civic Discourse & Debate is seeking a creative and strategic Associate Director to help implement and achieve its ambitious goals as operations begin on the University of Utah campus. Working closely with the Center’s director and leadership team, this position will play a critical role in implementing the Center’s strategic vision. The Associate Director will ensure that the Center’s objectives are executed consistently and communicated clearly across a range of audiences. The successful candidate will be a highly capable, relationship-driven professional with a strong focus on advancing the Center’s mission. This individual will support planning and management of internal operations and Center programming from initiation through delivery.
Responsibilities include gathering input and data from stakeholders to evaluate objectives, define project scope, and establish clear deliverables.
This position is well suited for a professional who finds deep satisfaction in strategic execution and organizational discipline. Candidates who excel at coordination and enjoy maintaining a clear organizational identity while navigating complex professional relationships are encouraged to apply.
The Center for Civic Discourse & Debate serves as a non-partisan hub dedicated to transforming disagreement into productive dialogue through a rigorous four-pillar approach. By combining academic research in argumentation with “Debate Across the Curriculum” teaching models, the Center equips students and faculty with portable skills in advocacy & deliberation. Furthermore, the Center provides professional conflict resolution training and extensive community programming to foster productive disagreement. Grounded in process expertise rather than ideological advocacy, the Center maintains strict nonpartisanship to ensure that academic rigor translates directly into practical community impact.
Beginning operations in summer of 2026, The Center for Civic Discourse & Debate is a program within the Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). LAS unites staff teams, strategy, operations and campus innovation across the Colleges of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Science. Established in 2025, LAS is increasing the impact of staff functions across campus as well as to meet the challenges and opportunities in higher education.
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
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To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator’s office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non‑Discrimination page.
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As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.
