Assistant Director, Innovations in Testing and Learning

Department: Office of the Provost

Salary/Grade: EXS/7

The expected salary for this position is between $68,000-$72,000 per year, in alignment with departmental equity and market data.

Job Summary:

The Office of Undergraduate Education invites applications for the position of Assistant Director in the Office of Academic Support and Learning Advancement (ASLA) to establish a new flexible testing and learning space on the Evanston campus. As alternative testing arrangements grow, and AI brings changes to teaching and learning, the University is exploring ways to broaden testing infrastructure while also supporting innovative approaches to assessment and study. Co-located with ASLA on south campus, this new space aims to serve this range of needs. This position will work under the Director of ASLA to design and implement day-to-day operation of this incubator space while helping to build the future of assessment and learning at Northwestern in close coordination with faculty, the Office of Testing Services, and the Office of Undergraduate Education.

This role is part of a larger initiative to expand capacity for testing at Northwestern while creating new opportunities to advance student learning in the age of AI. As such, the role entails the development and administration of a proctored testing site, coordination of religious accommodations, and assessment of future testing infrastructure possibilities at Northwestern, Additionally, the Assistant Director will work closely with the Director of ASLA and the Office of Undergraduate Education to partner with faculty and students on developing, managing, and assessing focused uses of the space. Such partnerships might include innovative computer-based testing trials, practice exams followed by workshops with undergraduate peer mentors, tech-free group study sessions, and more.

The Assistant Director of Innovations in Testing and Learning will be responsible for building operations for this new site from the ground up while supporting the development of new approaches to assessment and learning at Northwestern.

Specific Responsibilities:

Testing Operations

• Develop, implement, and manage procedures for scheduling, administering, and tracking accommodated and alternative exams not currently covered by existing Northwestern Testing Services, but that may eventually integrate with existing procedures for disability-related accommodations currently managed by Testing Services.
• Establish and maintain exam security protocols, testing procedures, and operational standards, again maintaining consistency with current Testing Services procedures.
• Oversee communication with faculty, students, academic departments, and campus partners regarding testing operations.
• Monitor and evaluate performance, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.

Staffing and Supervision

• Recruit, hire, train, schedule, and supervise a team of proctors, which will be primarily comprised of undergraduate students.
• Develop training programs and operational manuals to ensure consistent, high-quality testing administration.
• Create staffing plans to address fluctuations in testing volume throughout the academic year.

Testing and Learning Innovation Incubator

• Collaborate with faculty interested in piloting innovative assessment approaches and models for study and exam preparation.
• Establish, implement, and maintain security protocols and operational standards for newly designed assessments.
• Coordinate and publicize programming that encourages studying in community with other students within the new space.

Strategic Development and Assessment

• Coordinate development of naming, marketing strategy, and assessment of the new space, including market research to better understand campus community needs.
• Design systems for collecting and analyzing data related to testing demand, utilization, staffing, and operational effectiveness.
• Prepare reports and recommendations for university leadership regarding pilot outcomes and future testing center development.

Collaboration and Partnership

• Work closely with the Office of Testing Services and AccessibleNU to align services and promote consistency across testing support structures.
• Work closely with the Director of ASLA and the Office of Undergraduate Education to identify emerging testing needs and opportunities to partner with faculty, departments, and schools
• Represent this initiative on relevant committees and university working groups

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree and relevant professional experience in higher education, testing services, academic support, student services, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and managing complex operational processes.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders across a large institution.
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of student learning.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing testing operations, assessment services, accommodations, or comparable academic support programs.
• Experience establishing new programs, services, or operational initiatives.
• Familiarity with testing accommodation practices and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Experience with scheduling systems, database management, or data analysis.
• Experience working in a college or university testing center.
• Knowledge of current trends in assessment, academic integrity, and technology-enhanced testing.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, 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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