Assistant Director of Academic Programs (Part-time)

Northwestern University; Evanston (IL); On-site; USD 41,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies seeks an Assistant Director of Graduate Programs in Evanston, IL. This part-time role oversees faculty recruitment, curriculum development, and day-to-day operations for multiple graduate programs and advanced certificates.

You will collaborate with faculty directors and the director of graduate programs to hire adjuncts, shape curricula, and ensure program quality across SPS.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three to five years of experience working in an academic environment directly related to supporting education programs.
• Strong leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, interview, hire, and develop adjunct faculty; oversee schedules and teaching assignments.
• Lead curriculum development and updates in collaboration with program faculty director.
• Manage day-to-day operations of multiple graduate programs and certificates.
• Provide guidance to faculty and staff; coordinate with DL, Registrar, Finance, Marketing and Recruiting.
• Assist with program and project management across SPS and Northwestern University.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Problem solving

Communication

Customer focus

Efficiency

Organization

Computer proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

PeopleSoft

Job description

Department: School of Professional Studies

Salary/Grade: NEX/15

Location: Evanston, Illinois

Target hiring range for this position will be between $30.00 to $34.00 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

This position is Part-time working 18.75 hours per week.

Job Summary

This position manages key elements of academic operations for multiple graduate programs in the School of Professional Studies (SPS). The Assistant Director of Graduate Programs is the primary point of contact for faculty teaching in master's degrees and advanced graduate certificates at SPS. In collaboration with faculty directors and the director of graduate programs, this position manages the day-to-day operations of the graduate programs and advanced graduate certificates. Responsibilities include recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and developing adjunct faculty; leading curriculum development and implementing curriculum updates in collaboration with the program faculty director; managing all other aspects of an assigned program. The manager provides program and project management leadership for other departments in SPS (Distance Learning, Student Advising, Registrar's Office, Finance, Marketing and Recruiting) and Northwestern University to ensure that programs and advanced graduate certificates are managed effectively and efficiently at the highest degree of academic quality.

Specific Responsibilities

Faculty Management

• Actively recruit new faculty members to increase program and bench strength via conferences, professional associations, and other events. Interview, select, hire, and schedule new faculty in cooperation with faculty directors.
• Build positive rapport and engagement with faculty director and faculty in specified graduate programs and advanced graduate certificates.
• Implement faculty instructional support initiatives and individually consult with faculty to improve instruction in their specific courses.
• Independently develop and implement annual course schedules for multiple graduate and advanced graduate certificate programs with director approval and oversight; work directly with faculty to rehire and solidify teaching schedules.
• Serves as main point of contact for faculty questions, support, and resolution of issues. This includes new faculty onboarding and support, guidance regarding student issues, and overall teaching and learning support.
• Administer and assess student evaluation data and execute appropriate changes in faculty rehires and curriculum updates.
• Administer SPS and NU policies regarding grade submission, course preparation, and evaluations.
• Co-lead 2 faculty meetings per year per program with faculty director
• Assure faculty compliance with SPS policies and procedures.
• Recommend and implement enhancements to SPS faculty processes to help streamline operations and improve efficiency.
• Hires and develops TAs, when appropriate

Curriculum Development

• Develop and sustain program advisory boards, in collaboration with program faculty director.
• Review curricular offerings with advisory boards, faculty director, and faculty to ensure that programs meet high academic standards of quality and meet student and industry needs.
• Initiate and manage program curriculum revisions. This includes developing revision proposals, in cooperation with faculty director, implementing program revisions in conjunction with faculty and the DL team (if applicable), and contracting and overseeing course faculty developers.
• Implement and manage new graduate program offerings at the direction of the assistant dean of graduate programs.
• Directly manage the course development process for both new courses and course revisions and serve as the final sign-off on all development milestones and final developed course.
• Research areas of program expansion and create new program proposals

Faculty Development

• Manage all faculty communication regarding onboarding, training, mentoring, and teaching excellence framework.
• Identify appropriate opportunities to implement faculty community-building initiatives, such as awards ceremony, DL weekend, workshops, graduation, etc. and increase faculty presence and participation.
• Collaborate with Instructional Designers to provide expertise and support for faculty to apply teaching and learning innovations in the development and revision of program courses.
• Serves as an advisor and faculty 'connector' to share best practices in teaching excellence

Program Management

• Oversee approval process for petitions involving program requirements, i.e. course waivers, thesis proposals, independent studies, internships, final thesis approvals, and special requirements for students on academic probation.
• Gather and analyze application and registration data to assist in course planning and retention efforts.
• Solicit student feedback on courses offerings, location, and instruction to inform course planning.
• Research and report on competing programs to help ensure relevancy and competitiveness.
• Research and pursue program accreditation as appropriate to bolster program marketability and relevance.
• Attend/represent programs at industry conferences and other events.
• Develop and execute co-curricular academic and career-related offerings and resources for individual programs with the creation and assistance of Student Leadership Councils.
• Secure speakers and process payments for school-wide lecture series/special events
• Create and review program-related materials, such as the website and print collateral, to ensure content is accurate and up to date.
• Recommend marketing initiatives to improve student interest.
• Draft and recommend new policies and procedures as needed.

Miscellaneous

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.
• Three to five years of experience working in an academic environment directly related to supporting education programs, including regular contact with students and faculty.

Minimum Competencies

• Leadership: Demonstrates the ability to lead faculty and academic programming with an emphasis on collaboration, adaptability, and effective problem solving to ensure the quality of academic experience
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to build relationships and influence others to effectively execute initiatives.
• Problem Solving: Formulates realistic plans and contingencies and establishes appropriate measurements of anticipated results.
• Communication, Oral and Written: Communicates effectively one-on-one, in small groups, and in public speaking contexts; writes precise, well-organized emails, letters, and memos while using appropriate vocabulary and grammar.
• Customer focus: Regularly monitors student and faculty satisfaction; provides suggestions to improve quality and value to students and faculty.
• Efficiency: Effectively performs duties and responsibilities; displays attention to detail; supports organizational policies; anticipates demands/pressures of assignments and adjusts accordingly.
• Organization: Plans, organizes and schedules in an efficient, productive manner; anticipates contingencies and pays attention to detail; targets projects or initiatives that require special attention and focuses on key tasks when faced with limited time and/or resources.
• Computer Proficiency: Successfully uses multiple software programs independently. Software may include Microsoft Office, email, and PeopleSoft

Preferred Qualifications

• A master's degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.
• 8-10 years of professional work experience in academic program management and higher education.

Preferred Competencies

• Business Acumen: Possesses business savvy and demonstrates the activity to foster and lead cost-efficient initiatives without sacrificing quality or core values.
• Coachability: Being receptive to feedback, willing to learn, embracing continuous improvement.
• Creativity: Explores alternatives to existing products and services; identifies opportunities to improve procedures and practices; shows imagination.

Benefits

• At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement. Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process.