We’re looking for amazing and talented humanists. Join our team!
The National Humanities Center is a private, nonprofit organization, and the only independent institute dedicated exclusively to advanced study in the humanities. The Center provides essential support for the humanities, encouraging excellence in scholarship and teaching while affirming the importance of the humanities in American life. The Center’s mission is accomplished through its residential fellowship program, educational programming, and public engagement. The Center is supported by the generosity of individual donors, grants, corporate philanthropy, and institutional sponsors.
The Center is a collegial community work environment with opportunities for professional development and growth. The warm and inviting community of diverse staff and scholars share a rich history of meaningful contributions to human knowledge, and embrace a diversity of ideas, perspectives, bodies, and abilities.
The Center is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
Current Openings
President and Director
After nine years at the helm of the National Humanities Center, President and Director Robert D. Newman announced his retirement and stepped down as director effective July 1, 2024. A national search to hire his replacement is being handled by Spencer Stuart, a global leadership advisory firm. For further details, please read the position and candidate specifications. Interested parties should submit comments, nominations of others, or information in support of their own candidacy to the confidential email address of the Spencer Stuart team: NHCPresident@SpencerStuart.com.
Scholarly Programs Coordinator
The Scholarly Programs Coordinator will provide daily support to the Scholarly Programs Manager and the Vice President for Scholarly Programs. The Scholarly Programs team manages the operations and logistics of the NHC’s nine-month residential fellowship for leading scholars from around the world, as well as a four-week summer residency. The Scholarly Programs Coordinator interacts with NHC Fellows from the time they accept the fellowship through the end of their fellowship term, collects and organizes data, communicates program dates and tasks, schedules programming, and assists with the Fellows’ transition to the Triangle area. The Scholarly Programs Coordinator also supports the summer residency program, communicating with participating institutions, arranging accommodations at a local hotel, and communicating pertinent information to the program participants.
The Scholarly Programs Coordinator works on site in our architecturally stunning building and reports to and works closely with the Vice President for Scholarly Programs. The right candidate demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills across all working relationships. In particular, they have the ability to interact with Fellows in a calm, even-tempered, and fair manner while maintaining confidentiality and boundaries. With a successful track record of administrative experience, they exhibit close attention to detail while keeping in mind the larger aims and needs of the programs. The Scholarly Programs Coordinator will successfully work autonomously and collaboratively with staff, harness technology to help solve problems, expertly manage multiple tasks and priorities, clearly and thoughtfully communicate with Fellows, staff, and NHC leadership, and maintain organizational excellence in all efforts. The right candidate will embrace our values and contribute to a respectful, collegial environment for staff and scholars alike.
Duties and Responsibilities
Residential Fellowships
- Assist with fellowship competition
- Arrange travel logistics for the fellowship selection committee
- Create and maintain a fellowship Google calendar and WordPress website
- Advocate for Fellows during staff planning meetings
- Create and maintain digital files for Fellows
- Assist with event planning for Fellows
- Handle logistics in preparation for the Fellows’ arrival (handbook, name tags, study preparation, swag, etc.)
- Track Fellows’ arrival and departure information
- Prepare timely communications to Fellows, including a weekly newsletter
- Assist in grant proposals and reports
- Provide formatted data for the NHC website
- Work collaboratively with the Vice President for Scholarly Programs and other staff
Summer Residency
- Assist with program publicity
- Create and maintain a summer residency Google calendar and WordPress website
- Assist with event planning (e.g., speakers on topics of interest to participants)
- Prepare timely communications to participants
- Provide formatted data for the NHC website
- Assist with arrangements for travel and lodging
- Handle logistics in preparation for the participants’ arrival (handbook, name tags, study preparation)
- Work collaboratively with the Vice President for Scholarly Programs and other staff
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and effective communicator with varied levels of stakeholders
- Highly organized and detail oriented, with proven success in meeting deadlines
- Adept at learning new systems and procedures
- Self-starter adept at collaboration
- Proficiency in Google Workspace and Microsoft 365, including Excel and/or Google Sheets
- Must be a U.S. citizen
Preferred Qualifications
- Proven success in customer service
- Familiarity with Airtable
- Familiarity with WordPress
Salary Range: $60,000–$70,000
The NHC also offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes both traditional benefits such as health insurance, leave time, and retirement, as well as professional development opportunities.
Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, résumé, and a list of references to careers@nationalhumanitiescenter.org. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early.
Librarian Technician
The National Humanities Center (NHC) Library serves post-doctoral Fellows by supplying thousands of research materials to them each year. Partnerships with the libraries at Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as strong relationships with libraries, archives, and special collections in the United States and other countries, makes it possible to provide a wide range of materials to Fellows.
The Library Technician is responsible for providing circulation support for NHC Fellows and staff. Daily responsibilities include checking in and out library materials in a variety of formats, tracking library renewals, and communicating with Fellows and staff about their library materials.
The Library Technician works 40 hours per week on site at the National Humanities Center. The schedule for this position is 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Checks in and checks out library books in the NHC Library’s library request system database
- Packages local circulation books for transport via the local courier and interlibrary loan books via USPS, UPS, and DHL
- Tracks due dates, recalls, and renewals, and sends notices to patrons
- Locates and acquires research materials for patrons and NHC staff using a variety of library catalogs and electronic resources
- Processing and updating records for physical and electronic items in the NHC Library’s library request system database
- Extensive record keeping of Fellows materials at all levels of the circulation process
- Distributes books and electronic scans to patrons
- Communicates with patrons in person and by email
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree
- Proficiency in a Google Workspace environment
- Attention to detail
- Ability to work independently and organize and prioritize duties
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Experience with records management
- Familiarity with relational databases
- Reliable transportation
Preferred Qualifications
- Prior library experience working with online databases, catalogs, and archival collections
- Experience in integrated library systems
- Experience with Airtable
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to pull and push a minimum of 10 lbs
- Must be able to regularly lift 25 lbs
- Must be able to stand or sit for extended periods of time
Salary Range: $48,000–$52,000
The NHC also offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes both traditional benefits such as health insurance, leave time, and retirement, as well as professional development opportunities.
Qualified applicants should send a cover letter, résumé, and a list of references to nhclib@nationalhumanitiescenter.org. Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply early.