Research and Resource Coordinator, Communities of Impact, Educating Character Initiative

External Applicants: 

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Job Description Summary

The Educating Character Initiative (ECI), an initiative of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University, seeks a Research and Resources Coordinator to join a transformative new project from a dynamic to join a new, collaborative effort for educating character anchored in communities of impact (CoIs). The Resource and Research Coordinator will work closely with the ECI leadership team, Managing Director, and the ECI research and character scholars to assist with data collection and management, support research and resource development, and lead the creation and maintenance of a public-facing community platform. This platform will be accessible space that
provides an interactive, up-to-date, point-in-time landscape analysis of character education’s assets and opportunities;
supports community-building by connecting resource creators to each other and to the challenges facing higher education;
enables collective learning through tools supporting resource creation and curation (e.g., syllabi, audio-visual material, data, workbooks, how-to guides, stories, and more) from a large number of exceptional and creative character education projects and teams;
announces and highlights character-focused employment opportunities; and
enables funding agencies to make informed decisions concerning opportunities to support character-focused work.

The position is grant-funded for a term of three years beginning July 1, 2026.

The communities of impact project extends the mission of the ECI to catalyze a movement in character education at colleges and universities across the U.S. Since its launch, the ECI has built a community of character among over 2,000 individuals and 700 organizations and institutions; awarded over $35 million in grants to our partners; hosted educational and community-building webinars, conferences, convenings and other events; and become a significant presence in character education around the world.

We welcome applications from scholars, educators, and administrators with expertise in higher education, character, character education, and/or related fields. To apply, please provide (1) a cover letter detailing your relevant expertise and interest in the position, (2) a curriculum vitae, and (3) a list of at least three professional references, including at least one current or former supervisor. Applications submitted by May 15, 2026 will receive priority consideration. Candidates who wish to work remotely will be considered.

Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to academic excellence in liberal arts, graduate and professional education. Located in Winston-Salem, NC (“The City of Arts and Innovation”), the University has a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world, as indicated by the motto Pro Humanitate (for humanity), which encourages students to develop the qualities of human character needed to serve humanity. With the aim to educate the whole person, the University has established an innovative Program for Leadership and Character that plans creative, liberal arts-based programming to help students develop the virtues of character needed to lead in an increasingly complex world.

The Educating Character Initiative (ECI), a project of the Program for Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University, made possible by generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc., seeks to catalyze a movement for character education at colleges and universities across the United States. Through our work in grantmaking, collective learning, and community engagement, we equip institutions of higher education with the funding, resources, and support necessary to integrate character into their distinctive institutional contexts, curricula, and cultures. Our broad aspiration is to enable institutions of higher education to become communities of character that form students, staff, and faculty to act with character and for the common good.

For quick facts about the University, see http://www.wfu.edu/visitors/quickfacts.html. For more on the Program for Leadership and Character, see https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/. For more on the ECI, see https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/eci/.

For additional information, please contact [email protected].

Job Description

Essential Functions: This role will include activities and responsibilities in (1) platform development and management; (2) research and data coordination; (3) resource curation and collaboration; and (4) technical and logistical support.

Resource Platform Development and Management

• Support the development and design of a public-facing community platform that houses and organizes materials produced by CoIs and partner institutions across the ECI Community.

• Curate and present diverse types of resources (e.g., videos, booklets, white papers, research summaries, data visualizations, and interactive tools) in an accessible and visually engaging format.

• Develop and apply metadata and coding systems to ensure resources are easily searchable and well-categorized.

• Collaborate with ECI staff, researchers, and communications professionals to ensure the platform reflects the initiative’s mission, quality standards, and evolving needs.

• Monitor platform performance and troubleshoot technical issues in collaboration with university IT staff and/or external web developers.
   

Research and Data Coordination

• Assist with data collection, organization, and management for research and evaluation projects across the CoIs.

• Manage IRB applications for ECI research.

• Coordinate the creation, formatting, and submission of research materials, surveys, and reports in collaboration with postdoctoral fellows and other team members.

• Maintain data integrity and compliance with institutional and ethical research guidelines.

• Provide logistical and technical support for research-related activities, including survey administration, data tracking, and analysis preparation.

• Help synthesize findings and resources for dissemination through the ECI’s collective learning efforts.
   

Resource Curation and Collaboration

• Organize resources developed by Communities of Impact (CoIs) and partner institutions to support ongoing collective learning.

• Collaborate with scholars and practitioners to ensure the accuracy, accessibility, and usability of published resources.

• Assist in editing and formatting research outputs, guides, and multimedia materials for publication or sharing on the platform.

• Support the dissemination of new materials through ECI communications channels and professional networks.
   

Technical and Logistical Support

• Provide technical support for research and resource development, including file management, digital organization, and web publishing.

• Coordinate logistics for the submission, review, and approval of new resources contributed by collaborators and partner institutions.

• Assist with the integration of platform tools (e.g., search, tagging, analytics) to enhance user experience and engagement.

• Collaborate with the Administrative Coordinator and Managing Director to align data, resources, and reporting workflows.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant academic discipline (including, but not limited to, information science, data management, communication, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, political science, psychology, or religious studies).

• 2-5 years of demonstrated experience in website management, content curation, research and data coordination, or digital resource development.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage complex data and digital systems

• Proficiency with web content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal) and basic data organization or coding tools (e.g., HTML, metadata tagging, Excel)

• Familiarity with digital libraries, online learning platforms, or resource repositories.

• Knowledge of UX design principles and accessibility best practices.

• Demonstrated abilities to work constructively on teams and in cross-institutional collaborations, including excellent organizational, administrative, and interpersonal skills, with accuracy and attention to detail; effective and thoughtful communication with people across multiple institutions, disciplines, and skill sets; and a clear commitment to building community with a wide range of individuals at Wake Forest University, across the ECI Community, and beyond.

• Exceptional written, oral, and visual communication skills.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including the ability to juggle competing demands, work efficiently, and deliver high-quality work while adhering to deadlines.

• Commitment to supporting the intellectual and moral development of students. 

• Good character, sound judgment, and a strong work ethic. 

• Openness to feedback and a commitment to personal and professional growth. 

• Ability to represent the programs and the university in a professional manner. 

• Ability to work occasional weekend or evening hours as needed. Some travel may be required.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

•  Experience supporting academic research or data-driven projects.

• Experience working with a higher education context, demonstrating knowledge and understanding of academic cultures, rules, and regulations.

• Familiarity with institutional review board (IRB) policies and procedures. 

Accountabilities: 

• Reports to Managing Director, Communities of Impact, Educating Character Initiative.

• Works under minimal supervision.  

• Responsible for their own work. 

Physical Requirements:

• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting and standing.

Environmental Conditions: 

• No adverse environmental conditions expected.

* This position is not eligible for sponsorship of non-immigrant or immigrant visa status through Wake Forest University. All eligible applicants are encouraged to apply.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.  

 

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact AskHR@wfu.edu or (336) 758-4700.