Chairperson, ESL, Languages and Cultures

Middlesex College; Edison (NJ); On-site; USD 102,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Middlesex College in Edison, NJ invites applications for the twelve-month, exempt Chairperson of ESL, Languages and Cultures. This leadership role oversees all ESL and language programs, guiding curriculum development, assessment, and faculty oversight to strengthen student success.

The Chairperson will collaborate with faculty, staff, and College leadership to advance initiatives, partnerships, and services that enhance language learning and cultural understanding across the campus community.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in at least one of the departmental disciplines.
• Three (3) years’ experience teaching at the college level.

Responsibilities

• Lead instructional leadership and administrative oversight for all ESL and Language courses and programs.
• Oversee curriculum development, budgeting, and department operations.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and college leadership to advance student access and success.

Skills

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Master's degree in ESL, Languages and Cultures or related field

Three (3) years teaching at the college level

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Chairperson, ESL, Languages and Cultures

Full Time Edison, NJ, US

Salary: $120,366.00 Annually

Job Description

Classification Title: Chairperson, ESL, Languages and Cultures

Salary: $120,366.00 Annually (12-month position)

Department: ESL, Languages and Cultures

Pay Grade: CHB

Reports To: Dean, Liberal Arts

FLSA Status: Exempt

Unit: Administrative

Opening Date: 9/24/2026

Closing Date: 10/25/2026 11:59 p.m.

ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Middlesex College invites applications for Chairperson of ESL, Languages and Cultures. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to lead a department central to the College’s commitment to educational access, student success, and cultural understanding. Through English as a Second Language, world language, and cultural studies courses and programs, the department helps multilingual learners develop the skills needed for college success while providing students across the College with opportunities to strengthen their language proficiency, cultural awareness, and ability to engage with an increasingly interconnected world.

The Chairperson will lead an engaged group of full- and part-time faculty within a collaborative Liberal Arts division that welcomes thoughtful innovation, interdisciplinary partnerships, and new academic initiatives. Working closely with faculty, staff, and College leadership, the Chairperson will strengthen curriculum and programs, support faculty development, oversee student placement and advisement, and build productive relationships with schools, community organizations, workforce partners, and four-year institutions.

For a collaborative academic leader committed to language education and the community college mission, this position provides a meaningful opportunity to shape the future of a distinctive academic department, respond to the evolving needs of students and the surrounding community, contribute to broader institutional priorities, and continue developing as a leader at Middlesex College. The successful candidate will bring academic vision, cultural awareness, sound judgment, openness to new ideas, and the ability to balance long-term goals with the daily responsibilities of departmental leadership.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB

The Chairperson for ESL, Languages and Cultures provides instructional leadership and administrative oversight for all ESL and Language courses and programs at Middlesex College. The Chairperson works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and the College’s administrative team to provide a high-quality learning environment for students.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions:

• Establishes a collaborative working environment and fosters effective communications within the department, division, and campus.
• Hires, supervises, and evaluates full-time and part-time faculty and staff.
• Recommends tenure, promotion or termination of faculty/staff to the Division Dean.
• Manages staff workflow and production.
• Performs faculty and staff performance evaluations.
• Supports the professional development of faculty and staff.
• Works collaboratively with department faculty to develop and approve curricula, select textbooks, and to implement new instructional and support materials/services.
• Creates semester schedule and assigns courses to full-time and part-time faculty.
• Develops departmental annual operating plans and budget for the approval of the Division Dean and operates department within approved budget.
• Advises Division Dean on all matters pertaining to departmental facility, curriculum, and staff needs; prepares funding proposals to supplement existing budget when appropriate.
• Oversees departmental assessment activities, implements changes as needed, and reports progress to the Division Dean.
• Organizes, leads, and/or participates in department and division meetings.
• Participates actively in division and College committees, meetings, and public outreach efforts.
• Collaborates with other College departments and offices to coordinate adequate academic support and services for students.
• Collaborates with other chairs and departments to plan, research, develop, and implement Liberal Arts initiatives.
• Pursues cooperative working relationships with area K-12 partners, life-long learning/Workforce development, and baccalaureate degree-granting institutions.
• Pursues grant funding where appropriate for the enhancement of courses and programs offered through the department and oversees the implementation and budget for all departmental grants.
• Oversees the placement and advisement of ESL and language students.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in at least one of the departmental disciplines
• Three (3) years’ experience teaching at the college level
• Three (3) years’ administrative and supervisory experience
• Demonstrated proficiency in computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five (5) years’ experience teaching at the college level.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

SCHEDULE: Twelve (12)-month position, Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

RETIREMENT: Pension Eligible

NJ First Act

Any Middlesex College employee hired after September 1, 2011 will have to meet the New Jersey residency law requirement.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Middlesex College is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, marital status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the armed forces of the United States, or disability.

Affirmative Action and Compliance Statement

Middlesex College is firmly committed to a policy of Equal Opportunity and Aff…
All employees and students are expected to accept these principles and to reflect their spirit in everyday relationships with fellow employees and students. Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to the Aff…