Director of Strategic Ethics Education Initiatives

Note for Current UM Employees

Current employees must apply internally via ConnectU > connectu.olemiss.edu

The University of Mississippi

"The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.”

Department Summary

The Center for Practical Ethics https://thecenterforpracticalethics.org bridges academic thought and real-world challenges by connecting a national network of experts with leaders in business, government, and education. We equip decision-makers to consider choices through a sophisticated ethical lens, helping them navigate complex issues with integrity.

Our growing portfolio of programs, partnerships, and initiatives extends across industries and communities, anchored by our home institution, the University of Mississippi. Our approach is centered around three main pillars:

Developing Civility | Building Skills for a Healthy Democracy
Through guided public events and training programs, we model and facilitate civil discourse, raising the capacity of individuals and communities to engage in difficult yet productive conversations. Our initiatives equip people with the skills needed for constructive disagreement, compromise, and collaborative solutions.

Ethics Education | Empowering Citizens to Act with Integrity
Our academic programs bring the ancient discipline of ethics into modern applications. By deepening ethical understanding and expanding leadership models, we help individuals develop the skills needed for character-building and effective discourse, ultimately preparing them to make thoughtful, ethical decisions in their personal and professional lives.

Policy Guidance | Providing Expertise to Solve Ethical Problems
As a consultancy, we leverage our national network of experts to provide tailored, actionable guidance for businesses, organizations, and governments facing ethical challenges. Our approach blends broad ethical perspectives with field-specific expertise, helping decision-makers solve complex problems with integrity and foresight.

Role Summary

Plans and coordinates day-to-day fiscal, administrative, and operational activities of a defined, program or set of funded activities. Programs are usually focused to a single purpose, may be scientific, research, educational, or service oriented, and may exist as a subset of an integrated funded program activity. Duties typically include assisting with grant planning and administration, fiscal, budgetary, and/or other associated transactions, program implementation and administration, internal and external operational/administrative liaison, program marketing, and reporting.

Role Specifications

Below you will find classification and compensation information.  For additional details behind the University of Mississippi classification system please visit Human Resource Compensation Page

Family -  Administration 

Sub-Family - Program Coordination

Career Track / Level - P2

Grade - 7

Salary Range: $60,000–$70,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.Comprehensive benefits package including retirement, healthcare, and professional development support.

Examples of Work Performed

Program Strategy & Development 

• Lead the creation and expansion of applied ethics programs for various audiences (K-12, undergraduate, graduate-level, and professional), including certificates, minors, majors, graduate degrees, CEU-eligible content, and executive short courses.
• Collaborate with academic departments, continuing education units, industry partners, and external organizations to integrate offerings into institutional and professional ecosystems.
• Identify market needs and define value propositions for diverse learner groups.
• Develop strategic outreach plans and partnerships to increase program creation, visibility, and adoption.

Content Design & Development

• Work with faculty, instructional designers, and editors to translate complex ethical frameworks, moral concepts, and approaches to applied ethics into actionable, engaging educational modules and courses.
• Combine storytelling, branding, and user-centric design to enhance relevance and accessibility in order to meet the learning needs of broad audiences with high-impact learning outcomes.
• Oversee the development of scalable ethics learning content tailored to virtual, in-person, and hybrid formats, whether for workshops, seminars, or courses.
• Ensure alignment with credentialing standards (e.g., SACSCOC, APA, AMA, NASW, state licensing boards).

Curriculum Oversight & Effectiveness

• Support integration of applied ethics modules and courses into General Education and interdisciplinary programs, including serving on university committees.
• Collaborate with faculty and staff on inclusion of applied ethics materials into partner events, courses, capstones, and internships. 
• Develop and implement assessment plans to measure learning effectiveness and program impact, and provide semi-regular reports to demonstrate trends, outreach, and growth.

Public Engagement

• Develop relationships with both internal and external individuals and organizations as part of expanding center educational initiatives.
• Participate in public-facing programming (e.g., webinars, panels, editorials) linking ethical theory to contemporary issues.

The candidate may also be able to teach courses on an adjunct basis for the Department of Philosophy and Religion, which has a robust undergraduate and Master’s program in philosophy (for information about the department and programs, see http://philosophy.olemiss.edu). 

Essential Functions

These essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following.  Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the hiring department.

1. Provides specialized  support in the development, implementation, and marketing of program function.
2. Serves as a central point of contact between students, faculty, staff, other departments, and/or external constituencies on day-to-day programmatic, operational, and administrative matters; assists with seminars, meetings, special projects, and/or general problem resolution.
3. Coordinates activities of support staff, consultants, faculty, and/or volunteers engaged in implementation and administration of program objectives.
4. Monitors and administers program/project revenues and expenses; may develop or participate in the development of funding proposals for the program.
5. Writes, edits, and coordinates development of course catalogs, promotional materials, educational materials, training manuals, newsletters, and/or brochures, as appropriate to the program.
6. Maintains program/project records, researches information and gathers and computes various data; prepares special and/or one-time reports, summaries, or replies to inquiries, selecting relevant data from a variety of sources.

Minimum Education/Experience

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Experience:  (3) Three Years Experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctoral degree in Philosophy (ethics, applied ethics, public philosophy, or education).
• 1-2 years of experience in academic program development, curriculum design, continuing education, or professional training.
• Demonstrated expertise in applied ethics and familiarity with ethical frameworks (e.g., deontological, consequentialist, virtue ethics).
• Experience designing and delivering content across multiple modalities.
• Strong strategic thinking, project management, and communication skills.
• Background in educational assessment, learning analytics, or applied pedagogical research.
• Experience working in or with ethics centers, general education programs, or institutional research units.
• Experience building partnerships with academic units, external organizations, or credentialing bodies.
• Experience leading faculty workshops and/or conference presentations on ethics pedagogy and integration across disciplines.
• Familiarity with Ethics Across the Curriculum.
• Familiarity with instructional design and learning experience design (LxD).

Application Instructions

Application Materials

• REQUIRED - Cover letter explaining why you want to work with the center and how your skills and experience qualify you for it. 
• REQUIRED - Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume. CV is preferred. 
• REQUIRED - At least 3 letters of support.
• PREFERRED – Portfolio of created materials or products demonstrating design, marketing, and communication skills in the ethics education space. For example: a personal website, general education or assessment reports, online learning modules, syllabus for innovative new course, etc. 

Review of applications begins immediately and the position will remain open until an adequate applicant pool is reached. Applicants must complete an on-line application at http://jobs.olemiss.edu. 

If you need accommodation with providing the materials, please contact Ethan Davis (egdavis1@olemiss.edu). 

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Minimum Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements:  These physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. 

Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements.

Physical Exertion:  The incumbent may be required to lift up to approximately 10 pounds.

Vision:  Requirements of this job include close vision. Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening.

Motor Coordination:  While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to talk and hear; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The incumbent is periodically required to sit. The incumbent is occasionally required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.