Associate Director Graduate Programs

Department: School of Professional Studies
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary:

This position manages key elements of academic operations for multiple graduate programs in the School of Professional Studies (SPS). The Associate Director of Graduate Programs supervises various staff in the Graduate Programs department and is the primary point of contact for faculty teaching in master's degrees and advanced graduate certificates at SPS. The Associate Director is also responsible for key faculty development and process improvements in Graduate Programs. In collaboration with faculty directors and the director of graduate programs, this position manages the day-to-day operations of graduate programs and certificates. 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 Associate Director 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 programs and graduate certificates are managed effectively and efficiently at the highest degree of academic quality.

Specific Responsibilities:

Faculty Management:

• Assist with the planning, review, and promotion process of full-time faculty.
• Actively recruit new faculty members to increase program and bench 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 advanced graduate certificates
• Implement faculty development initiatives and individually consult with faculty to improve instruction in their specific courses.
• Independently develop and implement annual course schedules for multiple graduate and advanced 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
• Administer and 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 TAs, when appropriate

Curriculum Development:

• Document, track, and assess capstone recommendations for implementation and effectiveness
• Assist with program review and capstone assessment across all graduate programs.
• 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
• Directly manage the course development process for both new courses and course revisions and serve as the final sign-off on all development milestones and final developed course.
• Research areas of program expansion and create new program proposals

Faculty Development:

• Collaborate with graduate programs staff to create, implement, and oversee a faculty development program.
• Utilize data and other resources to identify faculty development needs in coordination with other departments.
• Manage all faculty communication regarding on-boarding, training, mentoring, and teaching excellence framework
• 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 the development and revision of program courses
• Serves as an advisor and faculty 'connector' to share best practices in teaching excellence

Program Management:

• Manage, promote, and assess effectiveness of all Learning Studios and other academic student support initiatives.
• 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
• Develop and execute co-curricular academic and career-related offerings and resources for individual programs with the creation and assistance of Student Leadership Councils.
• Secure speakers and process payments for school-wide 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

Supervision

• Supervise assistant directors of graduate programs and/or program assistant.

Miscellaneous

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.

• Five to seven 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.)

• Leadership: Demonstrates the ability to lead staff and faculty and academic programming with an emphasis on collaboration, adaptability, and effective problem solving to ensure the quality of academic experience

• 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:

• A Master's degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and abilities can be acquired.

• 10 years of professional work experience in academic program management and higher education

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 $81,000 to $84,000 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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