Director of Religious Initiatives

Organization Overview

Indiana Humanities is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to promoting the public humanities. We’re a grant maker, a neutral convener, a facilitator, a program partner, and much more. We strive for an Indiana where the humanities belong to everyone, where action is rooted in insight, and where community grows from conversation. All members of the Indiana Humanities team should be committed to our mission and exhibit our values of inclusivity, curiosity, community, creativity, and partnership.

Position Summary

In 2026, as part of the nation’s semiquincentennial, Indiana Humanities will embark on an ambitious four-year arc of programs designed for Hoosiers to explore the meaning of religious liberty, the history of religious communities in Indiana, and the implications of this history on contemporary concerns.

Primary responsibilities of this role include developing, supporting, and implementing public programs across the state using literature, historical texts, exhibitions, public conversations, and other tools of the humanities to spark learning, connection, and understanding. 

Tasks will include project management and development; exhibit design and activation; collaborating with community partners; providing support and training to program participants; program tracking and evaluation; writing blog, social media, newsletter, and general communications content; and thinking critically and creatively about how to enhance Indiana Humanities’ programs with our audiences and partners.

The successful candidate can do all the above while demonstrating a passion for the humanities and a commitment to working statewide. The candidate will value collaboration and communication and find inspiration through working deeply with communities and program partners. Like all members of the Indiana Humanities team, this professional will be committed to our mission and exhibit our values of inclusivity, curiosity, community, creativity, and partnership.

Position Specifics

Responsibilities

• Managing a set of humanities programs in collaboration with Indiana Humanities staff.
• Programs may include exhibits, speaker events, community reads, and community conversations.
• Coordinating event details and implementing public programs.
• Conducting humanities research, such as finding texts for discussion programs, collecting historical information for projects, and gathering other background information necessary to implement programs.
• Assisting the communications team by drafting upcoming program details and content.
• Assisting with the development of grant and fellowship materials and the review of applications.
• Maintaining accurate and up-to-date contact records and program data in our internal database.
• Collecting evaluation data according to our evaluation plan and assisting with program analysis and adjustments based on feedback.
• Staffing Indiana Humanities events, including occasional evening and weekend events.
• Traveling on occasion around the state to Indiana Humanities-sponsored events.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

The Ideal Candidate

• Has subject matter expertise on the topic of religion and/or religious liberty and is eager to explore the meaning of religious liberty, the history of religious communities in Indiana, and the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
• Is passionate about Indiana and its future and sees how the humanities can make a difference in our state.
• Is a problem-solver and takes ownership of projects while enjoying working as part of a team.
• Can point to concrete examples of previous program development and project management experience.
• Has outstanding written and oral communication skills, including the ability to adapt tone and style depending on the audience and setting.
• Has excellent organization and task-management skills, including the ability to prioritize when managing a portfolio of programs.
• Is motivated to learn new skills.
• Is familiar with and passionate about the public humanities and is excited to learn more 
  about the field.
• Is committed and reliable.

Supervisor: Keira Amstutz, Indiana Humanities’ president and CEO

Office location: Our offices are located near downtown Indianapolis in a lovingly restored historic home built by Indiana author Meredith Nicholson. Our office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but we offer flexible working schedules to accommodate the professional and personal needs of our staff.

Qualifications

Education + Experience

• Has completed a degree in a humanities discipline or has an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Prior experience in public programming for a cultural organization or project management is preferred.

We recognize that there are great candidates who may not meet all these criteria, and we also acknowledge that you might bring valuable skills that we haven’t considered. If that’s you, don’t hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

Indiana Humanities is an equal opportunity employer, and our hiring process is inclusive of all genders and gender expressions, races and ethnicities, religions and sexualities, as well as veterans and people with disabilities.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range is $75,000 to $85,000.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• 403(b) match of 10% after the first year of employment 

Please note that this is a temporary role with grant funding until 2029.

How to Apply

To apply, send a resume (with two references) and a cover letter explaining your interest in the position to hr@indianahumanities.org.