MSW Executive Director

Dominican University; River Forest (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

Retirement plan with employer matching contributions

Tuition remission for employees and their dependents

Generous paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, is seeking a MSW Executive Director to provide academic leadership for the School of Social Work. This role involves overseeing program accreditation, advancing the mission of the school, and ensuring a scholarly environment. The ideal candidate holds a PhD in social work, possesses strong teaching and communication skills, and is committed to equity and inclusion.

The successful applicant will maintain a teaching load and participate in community service initiatives.

Qualifications

• Minimum five years of experience in a full-time faculty role with expectations for teaching, research, and service.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success.
• Familiarity with CSWE accreditation standards and processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic leadership and oversight of the School of Social Work.
• Prepare and disseminate annual unit-operating plans.
• Lead program preparation for CSWE accreditation.

Skills

Excellent teaching skills

Oral and written communication

Team-building skills

Cross-cultural interpersonal skills

Commitment to equity and inclusion

Education

PhD in social work or related discipline

Job description

Reports To:

Dean, Borra College of Health Sciences

Primary Purpose / Position Summary

The MSW Executive Director reports to the Dean and is responsible for providing academic leadership by setting the standards of intellectual engagement and accomplishment for Dominican University School of Social Work. The School of Social Work contains the following programs: Bachelor of Social Work, Applied Social Justice PhD, Conflict Resolution certificate, Mediation and Conflict Resolution certificate, and the Masters in Trauma Informed Leadership major. Supports the strategic mission and vision to create and maintain an academic and scholarly environment that supports DU faculty and students.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements an annual unit-operating plan that is consistent with the strategic plan of the university as whole. Prepares and disseminates an annual report documenting operating plan.
• Provide leadership and expertise in program preparation for CSWE accreditation.
• Plan short term, intermediate and long-term development and improvement of the School of Social Work.
• Institutes program operating practices and procedures to facilitate improvements in curriculum planning, implementation, evaluation, teaching effectiveness, and program reporting.
• Provide leadership in the development, maintenance, implementation and revision of existing and new programs.
• Prepare annual reports for CSWE.
• Serves as the formal liaison between the School of Social Work, the community at large and practicum agencies to secure quality sites.
• Collects and reviews course syllabi to ensure they ae complete, consistent and compliant with university policies and guidelines, and CSWE requirements.
• Perform effectively all duties detailed in the annual performance evaluation process for faculty and staff.
• Participates in securing grant/scholarship funds to support program expansion and improvement.
• Responsible for recruiting and hiring full-time and adjunct faculty and staff.
• Participate actively in faculty development program/activities.
• In collaboration with the dean, assigns faculty workload.
• Monitors and supports students’ academic progress.
• Work collaboratively with School Directors, Program Coordinators, etc. to further the mission of the School, College and University.
• Provide governance and policy support.
• Support Dean’s Office operations (e.g., report writing, reviewing/updating policies and procedures, catalog, course scheduling).
• Supervise direct reports, if appropriate.
• Support and oversee School Directors and Program Coordinators in course scheduling.
• Assist with activities involving the College/School Advisory Council, if appropriate.
• Work with centralized admissions regarding admission processes and standards and College participation in recruitment activities.
• Work with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness to review data needs, design and implement information systems, and generate School reports.
• Engagement in relevant service/committee work for the College and University.
• Develop, monitor and revise operational procedures to improve overall academic unit functioning.
• Perform other duties as requested, delegated or assigned by the Dean; as an example, facilitating/implementing special projects.

The MSW Executive Director will maintain a teaching load of three credit hours per semester and is expected to have an active research pipeline.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in social work or related discipline
• Minimum five years of experience in a full-time faculty role with expectations for teaching, research, and service
• Excellent teaching skills and a demonstrated commitment to student success
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; team-building and cross-cultural interpersonal skills
• Must be committed to fostering an equitable and inclusive working and learning environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous administrative experience as a department chair, program director, or similar position is strongly preferred
• Experience as a faculty member or administrator within a CSWE program is strongly preferred
• Experience with CSWE accreditation standards and processes
• Previous experience with HSIs or minority serving institutions
• Teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Experience with the implementation and management of assessment and assurance of learning processes
• High level of proficiency with data analysis, presentation, and communication
• Familiarity with academic management including course scheduling, academic policy implementation, and admissions processes
• Familiarity with norms and expectations for academic scholarship and publication processes within social work disciplines
• Deep commitment to support and advocate for faculty colleagues
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a complex organizational environment

A background screening is required.

Physical Demands

• Ability to spend long durations of the workday sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

Salary and FLSA Status

• FLSA Status: Exempt – Full-time, 37.5 hours

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with employer matching contributions
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependents
• Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
• Generous paid time off (PTO)

Expectations for All Dominican Employees

To support the University's mission of preparing students to pursue truth, give compassionate service, and participate in the creation of a more just and humane world, engage in university service work that promotes collaboration and community building. This includes participating in organizational initiatives, supporting campus events, contributing to community outreach, and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment through involvement in various staff-driven activities and groups.

Institutional Statement

Dominican University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Dominican University is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans.