Director of Academic Affairs and Operations - JR26646-3800

at University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

• Leads the instructional services team of the MS-ADS online and in-person programs including instructor recruiting, operational course scheduling, instructor feedback, and other faculty support as designated by the Chief of Staff/Executive Director. Directly supervises three professional staff members; provides oversight and guidance for their work.
  
• Maintains close coordination with the MS-ADS Clinical Advisory Team on matters of operational scheduling, instructor hiring process, capstone experience and process, curriculum and other matters as designated by the Program Director.
  
• Oversees MS-ADS classroom space assignments to ensure all courses have an appropriate classroom space and negotiating on behalf of instructors.
  
• Collaborates with the MS-ADS Faculty Director and Program Manager of the online program to ensure that the virtual learning experience and instruction continues to improve and operate at the highest level for online students.
  
• Develops and maintains a strong relationship with the Physical Science Division (PSD) Director of Academic Affairs to ensure all instructor appointments, reappointments, and additional pay requests are complete and can move smoothly through the University's approval progress.
  
• Develops and improves workflows for standard processes; collaborates with MS-ADS staff to assess goals and outcomes.
  
• Manages the budget for instructional services in collaboration with the MS-ADS Faculty Director and Chief of Staff/Executive Director on a regular basis (e.g., tracking instructor salaries and other academic payments, ensuring payments are accurately executed).
  
• Leads change management efforts to ensure that courses benefit from innovative instructional design theories and practices.
  
• Develops and oversees faculty resource management in collaboration with the PSD and DSI.
  
• Collaborates with MS-ADS student affairs staff on internal communications to (e.g., policies/procedures, academic calendar, curriculum changes, other important deadlines.)
  
• Collaborates with the Career Services/External Partnership team to ensure that online students have a successful real-world project experience through the Capstone experience as they prepare industry positions.
  
• Leads the management of human resources activities for academic employees-including but not limited to the academic appointment and reappointment processes, hiring, orientation, performance planning and compensation, staff development, and employee relations.
  
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies.
  
• Drive continuous improvement efforts in areas of responsibility.
  
• Liaisons with building security, management, facilities, cleaning/maintenance, and others (i.e., additional units/departments, contractors/vendors, etc.).
  
• Manage the facilities team's activities, set priorities and assign duties and responsibilities to ensure task completion, coordinate work activities with external groups, service providers and contractors. Create on call rotation and provide support.
  
• May oversee the management of informational technology planning, ensuring necessary operating and information systems and resources are in place to accomplish strategic goals. Conceives and directs special projects related to the business of the organizational unit.
  
• Manages space, facilities, and equipment, including renovations, moves, maintenance and ongoing facilities operations.
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

• Experience working in academic affairs, including direct student-facing responsibilities.
  
• Experience with international students.
  
• Experience managing human resources processes.
  
• Experience working with faculty and instructors.
  
• Experience with professionally oriented graduate programs.
  
• Proficiency in office software such as Microsoft Office, Google Docs, etc.
  

• Experience with learning platforms and technologies (e.g., Canvas, Zoom, Panopto, Wistia, other.)
  
• Advanced data and reporting skills (Slate, Excel, PPT, Database, PeopleSoft) for prospective and enrolled student data management.
  

• Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to resolve problems with a high degree of discretion, diplomacy, and tact.
  
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate to a diverse audience including students, faculty, donors, and staff.
  
• Ability to coordinate with many partner offices simultaneously to innovatively problem solve on behalf of students and staff.
  
• Superior organizational skills and constant attention to detail.
  
• Ability to work independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations.
  
• Commitment to excellent customer service, including tact, discretion, and proper judgement as necessary.
  
• Expertise to collect and maintain a vast array of records to improve organizational knowledge and datapoints.
  
• Strong project management skills, including experience with large-scale projects, working effectively across organizational boundaries and disciplines.
  
• Excellent supervisory skills.
  

• This position is eligible for a partially hybrid work schedule (Office location: NBC Tower).
  
• This position requires occasional work on evenings and weekends.
  

• Resume (required)
  
• Cover Letter (required)
  
• References (required)