Assistant Director Graduate Programs

Department: School of Professional Studies
Salary/Grade: EXS/6

Are you looking to continue or grow your career working in academics at a prestigious university? Are you enthusiastic about providing innovative learning opportunities that serve the lifelong learning needs of its students? Do you enjoy thinking about curricula and engaging with faculty and industry experts on a range of topics and learning opportunities? The Graduate Programs unit at the School of Professional Studies (SPS) is looking for an organized, efficient, innovative individual to manage the day-to day operations of multiple graduate programs in order to provide an enriching academic experience for graduate students at SPS. This position is great for a detail-oriented individual who is interested in managing a range of course offerings, a diverse group of adjunct faculty and students, and program logistics, while contributing to the entire SPS team. The ideal candidate will demonstrate flexibility and willingness to collaborate, have project management and solid written and verbal communication skills, as well as experience in higher education. In addition to joining a collaborative, dynamic, and hard-working academic team that values strong relationships, Northwestern employees take advantage of excellent healthcare and retirement benefits. If you feel this could be a great career match, please apply today!

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 graduate certificates at SPS. In collaboration with faculty directors, associate directors, and the director of graduate programs, this position manages the day-to-day operations of the graduate programs. 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 graduate programs are managed effectively and efficiently at the highest degree of academic quality.

Please note: Some evening and weekend hours may be necessary. Flexibility in working at home and at the Evanston campus.

Specific Responsibilities:

Faculty Management:

• Actively recruit new faculty members to increase program 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 graduate certificates
• Independently develop and implement annual course schedules for multiple graduate and 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
• 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 improved efficiencies
• Hires and develops teaching assistants (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
• Research areas of program expansion and create new program proposals

Faculty Development:

• Manage all faculty communication regarding on-boarding, training, mentoring, and teaching excellence framework
• Collaborate with all Assistant Directors of Graduate Programs, associate directors, director, and assistant dean to create, implement, and oversee a faculty development program. This program will include an effective mechanism for assessing teaching performance. The assistant director provides faculty with development consultation and guidance, when appropriate
• 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 their 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
• Secure speakers and process payments for program 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
• Create and recommend new policies and procedures as needed

Performs 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: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• 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
• Cultural competency: Aware of and sensitive to different cultures and norms represented by the diverse populations of SPS and NU, and able to foster an inclusive and equitable environment for faculty and students.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• 8-10 years of professional work experience in higher education or similar experience.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• 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

Target hiring range for this position will be between $68,500 - $72,500 per year. 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.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! 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.

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