Senior Director of Academic Support

Volunteer State Community College; Gallatin (TN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Pension plan (TN/state)

Job summary

Volunteer State Community College seeks a Senior Director of Academic Support to provide strategic and operational leadership across library services, tutoring, online learning, and instructional design. The role aligns resources with the college’s Academic Affairs priorities and ensures high-quality support for students and faculty at all locations.

The position leads cross-functional planning, uses data to guide decisions, and ensures compliance with policies while fostering a culture of

Qualifications

• Must hold a master's degree in library or information science or related field.
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible higher education experience.
• Minimum three years of supervisory or management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop an integrated vision and measurable outcomes for Library, Learning Commons and Distance Learning.
• Advise President on academic support services and digital learning strategy.
• Lead cross-functional planning to improve student experience and coordinate resources.
• Use data to evaluate effectiveness and guide resource allocation.
• Oversee library operations, collections, information literacy, and services across locations and online.
• Oversee tutoring, learning support, and Learning Commons services in person and online.
• Coordinate professional development and collaborate with IT and academic divisions.

Skills

Strategic planning

Leadership

Budgeting

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Academic support

Instructional design

Digital learning

Information literacy

Communication

Education

Master's degree in library/information science or related field

Doctorate (preferred)

Job description

Senior Director of Academic Support

Volunteer State Community College

Title: Senior Director of Academic Support

Institution: Volunteer State CommunityCollege

Job Summary:

This position provides strategic and operational leadership for anintegrated portfolio of academic support and digital learningservices. Reporting directly to the Vice President for AcademicAffairs, the Senior Director aligns library services, tutoring andacademic support, online learning, instructional design, andrelated technologies to advance student access, learning,retention, and completion. The position leads cross-functionalplanning, assessment, personnel, budgeting, compliance, andcontinuous improvement while ensuring consistent, high-qualitysupport for students and faculty across all locations andinstructional modalities.

Job Duties:

Develop and implement an integrated vision, annual priorities, andmeasurable outcomes for the Library, Learning Commons, and DistanceLearning in alignment with the College strategic plan and AcademicAffairs priorities. Advise the Vice President for Academic Affairson academic support services, digital learning strategy, emergingtechnologies, and resource needs. Lead coordinated planning amongthe three functional areas to improve the student and facultyexperience and reduce duplication or gaps in service. Serve oninstitutional and Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) committees andparticipate in initiatives, professional organizations, andcommunity partnerships as assigned. Use enrollment, utilization,learning, retention, completion, and satisfaction data to evaluateeffectiveness, establish priorities, and guide resource allocation.Provide senior oversight for library operations, collections,research assistance, information literacy, archives, systems, andservices delivered at all College locations and online. Ensurelibrary resources and services support curriculum, accreditation,faculty scholarship, open educational resources, and the evolvingresearch needs of students and employees. Guide the development,evaluation, and consistent application of library policies, servicestandards, collection priorities, and technology plans. Promoteaccess to reliable information and strengthen students' informationand digital literacy skills in collaboration with faculty andacademic leaders. Provide oversight for tutoring, academiccoaching, learning support, and other Learning Commons servicesoffered in person and online. Establish service models, staffingplans, referral processes, and operating schedules that respond tostudent demand across campuses, centers, and instructionalmodalities. Collaborate with academic deans, faculty, advising,student affairs, and institutional research to identify achievementgaps and implement targeted academic support strategies. Assess theeffectiveness of academic support programs and use findings to improve student engagement, course success, persistence, andcompletion. Provide oversight for online learning operations,instructional design, faculty support, course development, learningmanagement system administration and governance, and online coursequality. Lead the development and implementation of standards andprocesses for online and technology-enhanced instruction, includingcourse design, review, delivery, accessibility, and continuousimprovement. Coordinate professional development and consultationthat help faculty use evidence-based teaching practices andeducational technologies effectively. Partner with InformationTechnology, academic divisions, and other offices to evaluate,implement, support, and govern academic technologies. Monitordevelopments in online education, artificial intelligence,instructional technology, and student support, and recommendresponsible institutional responses. Ensure compliance withapplicable College and TBR policies; accreditation requirements;federal and state regulations; copyright and licensing obligations;digital accessibility standards; and state authorizationrequirements for distance education. Maintain accuratedocumentation, procedures, reports, and evidence supportingaccreditation, program review, audits, and institutionaleffectiveness activities. Coordinate with academic leaders toestablish and monitor service-level expectations, faculty andstudent communications, and continuity plans for critical academicsupport functions. Address concerns and resolve issues involvingservices within the portfolio or refer matters to the appropriateoffice when needed. Supervise, support, and evaluate assignedleaders and employees; establish clear expectations; promoteprofessional development; and foster a collaborative,student-centered culture. Develop and manage budgets, contracts,licenses, technology investments, and resource requests inaccordance with institutional priorities and procedures. Evaluatestaffing, organizational structure, operating hours, facilities,and technology needs, and recommend adjustments based on evidenceand available resources. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's degree from a regionally accredited college or universityin library or information science, education, instructionaltechnology, higher education administration, or a closely relatedfield.

Five years of progressively responsible experience in highereducation.

Three years of supervisory or management experience, includingresponsibility for personnel, budgets, programs, or services.

Preferred Qualifications:

Doctorate from a regionally accredited college or university or amaster's degree in library or information science from an AmericanLibrary Association-accredited program.

Leadership experience in the following areas: academic libraries,learning commons or tutoring, online learning, instructionaldesign, or academic technology.

Community college experience.

Experience with learning management systems, online course qualityframeworks, state authorization, digital accessibility, andaccreditation requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Must be a willing advocate of the mission of the college.

Knowledge of current practices and emerging issues in academiclibraries, learning support, online education, instructionaldesign, and educational technology.

Ability to lead complex operations, establish priorities, managemultiple projects, and make sound decisions in a collaborativeenvironment.

Strong supervisory, team building, conflict-resolution, andchange-management skills.

Ability to analyze data, evaluate outcomes, and communicatefindings and recommendations clearly.

Strong written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonalcommunication skills.

Ability to build productive relationships with students, faculty,staff, administrators, external partners, and vendors.

Commitment to academic quality, student success, access, serviceexcellence, and continuous improvement.

Ability to manage sensitive information with discretion andmaintain the highest standards of professional judgment andintegrity.

Pay Rate: $84,800 - $105,999 annual salary depending on experience

Volunteer State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability (long and short term), FSA/HSA
• Wellness Incentive Program (if enrolled in Health)
• Educational Assistance: Fee Waiver, Spouse/Dependent Discounts, Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Longevity Pay
• Retirement Options: State of TN Pension (TCRS), 401a, 401K with up to $50/month match, 403b, and 457
• 14 Paid Holidays/Year
• Annual Leave (if applicable)
• Sick Leave
• Sick Leave Bank
• State Employee Discount Program with over 900 merchants