Director of Introductory Programming

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous vacation, holidays, and paid

Competitive insurances and savings

Retirement benefits

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, WI, seeks a Director of Introductory Programming to lead the CS majors’ introductory sequence within the department’s curriculum. The role includes classroom instruction, curriculum design, and development of pedagogical and assessment tools to support student learning.

The Director supports Teaching Faculty and may supervise graduate students, with responsibilities spanning instruction, curriculum implementation, and administrative coordination for

Qualifications

• One year of college-level teaching experience in computer science or a related field.
• Excellent classroom communication skills.
• Proficiency with Java and/or Python programming languages.
• Fundamental knowledge of introductory programming curricula.

Responsibilities

• Provide classroom or online instruction, including grading, for a course in the CS introductory programming sequence.
• Supervise and instructor of record for the WES-CS program, including management of the undergraduate section leaders and development of curriculum.
• Manage administrative course logistics for courses in the introductory sequence, including a template syllabus and Canvas course, coordination of textbook resources, project management for exams and grading, and course incompletes.
• In collaboration with staff and faculty, supervise, instruct, and mentor TAs, student peer mentors, and graders; screen and/or interview applicants for TA/grader positions and make hiring recommendations.
• Assist in defining the objectives of the program and alignment of the introductory sequence to those objectives.
• Coordinate curriculum design and instruction of other instructors in the introductory sequence.

Skills

Excellent classroom communication

Java and/or Python proficiency

Introductory programming curricula

Education

Master's degree; Ph.D. preferred

Job description

Current Employees

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Job Category

Academic Staff

Employment Type

Regular

Job Profile

Teaching Faculty III

Job Summary

The Director of Introductory Programming plays an essential role in the Computer Sciences department, overseeing the strategic integration of the CS majors’ introductory programming sequence into the overall departmental curriculum. In addition to providing classroom instruction, the Director assists with the design and execution of administrative functions associated with academic instruction, oversees curriculum development and implementation, and manages the development of pedagogical and assessment tools and resources to support quality student learning. This position supports Teaching Faculty/Professors in instructional roles and may also manage instructional graduate students.

Principal Duties

• (15%) Provides classroom or online instruction, including grading, for a course in the CS introductory programming sequence. Teach at least one course in 12-month instructional cycle.


• (20%) Serves as supervisor and instructor of record for the WES-CS program, including management of the undergraduate section leaders and development of curriculum.


• (45%) Manages administrative course logistics for courses in the introductory sequence, including a template syllabus and Canvas course, coordination of textbook resources, project management for exams and grading, and course incompletes.


• (10%) In collaboration with other staff and faculty, helps supervise, instruct, and mentor all Teaching Assistants (TAs), student peer mentors, and graders (where applicable) in the introductory sequence. Additionally, screens and/or interviews applicants for TA and grader positions and makes hiring recommendations.


• (5%) Assists in defining the objectives of the program and alignment of the introductory sequence to those objectives.


• (5%) Coordinates curriculum design and instruction of other instructors in the introductory sequence.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Designs curriculum and/or techniques for instruction in a disciplinary area and suggests new ways of effective instruction in courses within that discipline


• May administer budget and personnel for instructional grants and programs


• Assists in defining the objectives of the program and plays a major role in carrying out program duties


• Develops grant proposals for instructional development and may serve as principal or co-principal investigator on grants to develop new teaching methods in the discipline


• Supervises the day-to-day activities of work unit employees involved in instructional support as needed


• Provides classroom, online and/or laboratory instruction, including grading


• Presents evaluations of teaching methods and techniques to those in the institution and elsewhere


• Develops teaching techniques that enhance course effectiveness in alignment with desired outcomes and established strategy and trains faculty and other instructional staff in use of said instructional techniques and programs


• Assesses learner performance and prepares reports recommending instructional improvements

Department

UW-Madison, College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence, Department of Computer Sciences

Compensation

Starting salary is negotiable based on qualifications and experience. This is a 12-month / renewable / ongoing position.

Benefits

• Generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off


• Competitive insurances and savings accounts


• Retirement benefits

Required Qualifications

• At least one year of college-level teaching experience in computer science or a related technical or scientific field


• Excellent classroom communication skills


• Proficiency with Java and/or Python programming languages


• Fundamental knowledge of Introductory Programming Language Curricula

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with skills and strategies to help students succeed in large-scale courses.


• Familiarity with online teaching tools and techniques that help with efficient course organization, communication, and management in large-class environment


• Ability to coordinate assessments, student support, and instructional logistics


• Ability to develop and oversee structured lab sessions, ensuring hands‑on practice


• Ability to apply educational principles to align teaching with competency‑based learning outcomes


• Willingness and ideas to adapt to teaching in AI environment

Education

Master's Degree required. Ph.D preferred in Computer Sciences, Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or related field.

Conditions of Appointment

This is a 100% Academic Staff appointment. Salary will be assigned within the appropriate range, commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience. An excellent benefits package is also included. Successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Contact Information

For position-specific questions, please contact Lance Potter, Department of Computer Sciences at [e-mail] or 608-263-6759.

For application system questions, please contact Kayla Weisensel, Human Resources at [e-mail].

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.