Job Description

Application deadline: March 31st, 2026.

Reports to: CEO

Supervises: Visiting Scholars; Event Management Staff; Vendors, Volunteers, Program Support Consultants

Location: Sarasota, Florida (on-site)

OUR MISSION

The Elling Eide Center is a nonprofit research library, nature preserve, and scholarly retreat located on 72 acres of rare coastal habitat in Sarasota, Florida. Named after sinologist and preservationist Elling Oliver Eide (1935–2012), the Center’s mission is to advance scholarly research in the humanities and environmental sciences with a particular emphasis on Asian studies. The Center is home to one of the most significant private collections of East Asian literature, history, and related fields in the United States, as well as one of the last remaining reserves of biodiversity in an increasingly urbanized Florida coastline. Our scholarly programs going forward will thus highlight our Center’s strengths in pre-modern Chinese Studies while finding new ways to connect with the Center’s landscape and living collections.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Scholarly Programs and Education is responsible for shaping and helping to lead the overall research identity and multi-year research agenda of the Elling Eide Center in Sarasota, Florida.

We are seeking a rare individual to help us advance our approach to scholarship that provides students and scholars with unique opportunities to address critical questions that advance knowledge in fields connected to the Center’s mission. The successful candidate’s research and program interests will enable them to lead scholarly programs focused on Elling Eide’s own strong interests in sinology and ecology, as well as the pre-history and languages of the Native American people who once lived on our preserve. We seek a director who can strengthen the Center’s goal of making broad contributions to human knowledge.

To achieve so ambitious a mandate over the next five to ten years, this role will likely need to grow a whole education department and at first will coordinate the work of others more than produce original research. The Director of Scholarly Programs and Education is thus responsible for ensuring timely implementation, logistical coordination, and smooth delivery of all Center-led activities. The Director will work closely with the Director of the Eide Library and the Director of Land Management and Environmental Programs to facilitate engaging, mission-aligned programs and experiences both online and in person that expand community engagement and scholarly participation while contributing new insight to those arts and sciences so loved by Elling Eide.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design, develop, coordinate, and execute our Visiting Scholars programs, residencies, and other fellowships
• Develop partnerships with other leading research institutions to promote all areas of our research agenda
• Recruit, train, and supervise new team members and volunteers as needed
• Coordinate, recruit, and manage volunteers to support our programs both in-person and online
• Establish and enforce standard operating procedures for our various kinds of scholarly programs
• Create and manage the departmental budget and align it with the organization’s annual budget
• Provide contractor oversight for remote broadcast and promotion of our programs online
• Participate in public outreach. Develop materials for public education/interpretation. Represent and promote the Elling Eide Center and our research agenda at offsite meetings and outreach events

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ph.D. in Chinese Studies or related academic field
• Proficiency in classical Chinese including romanization systems
• Broad knowledge of Chinese history and culture, including scholarly resources and bibliographic tools as demonstrated in own research and publications
• Native proficiency in both English and modern Chinese complemented by excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills for collaborative work as a member of the Eide Center leadership team
• Leadership experience designing, developing, and delivering outstanding scholarly programs that command the international respect of academics in the field, attract media attention, and advance mission
• Ability and willingness to build and maintain good working relationships with a variety of national and international organizations to bring together people, projects, and resources in service of our mission
• Excellent problem-solving skills and organizational skills, with attention to detail and good records
• Self-starter, flexible, and able to work under pressure
• Highly competent with computer software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Project management skills that extend to online portals and project management platforms
• Programs through social media, such as Instagram and Facebook
• Valid driver’s license (or ability to obtain one within 30 days)

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Reading ability in Japanese, Korean, and relevant European languages especially Russian, French, German
• Bachelor’s degree in the liberal arts or a life science preferred

SCHEDULE

• Full Time, 40 hours per week
• Occasionally will be required to work weekends/holidays as requested.
• Attend special events (as needed)

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Perform slightly strenuous work in varying or adverse weather conditions. Able to lift 50 pounds occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently. Required to drive light-duty vehicles e.g. car, golf cart, truck.

BENEFITS

• Annual performance bonus (up to 20 percent of salary) for achieving departmental and organizational goals
• Ability to dedicate up to 20 percent of time on the job to original research — to write, publish, and contribute to the research of others — with the incentive to help drive the Eide Center research agenda
• Healthcare (company pays 90% of the annual cost), Dental and Vision, and 3% company contribution to a Fidelity Simple IRA account with employee participation
• 14 paid holidays and three weeks additional PTO
• Time and budget to participate in other professional development activities both for your own professional growth and to help with the Eide Center’s public visibility and outreach

SALARY

Negotiable based on experience and vision for the job

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