Associate Director of Academic Unit Review

Job Description

The Graduate School’s Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) has an outstanding opportunity for an Associate Director of Academic Unit Review to join their team.

About this Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Academic Affairs and Policy, the Associate Director of Academic Unit Review is responsible for leading academic unit review across the three University of Washington (UW) campuses. Academic unit review is the regular review of academic credential-offering units and programs at UW, both at the graduate and undergraduate level. Academic unit review is essential to a mission of continuous improvement and has a broad and deep impact on the university’s academic operations. This position also has a close working relationship with the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs who oversees the Office of Academic Affairs, which is responsible for graduate curriculum, policy, and academic unit review.

The Associate Director provides strategic leadership and manages day-to-day operations for the successful conclusion of up to 20 unit or program reviews per year, with each review process spanning 2-3 years. Due to this long timeline, building and managing relationships with review participants, university leadership and other stakeholders is a critical function of the role. The Associate Director has significant responsibility for exercising judgment and discretion in providing regular guidance and leadership for deans, department chairs, and directors of units undergoing academic unit review.

This position plays an integral role in advancing quality improvement across the Graduate School and its academic partners. Working within the Graduate School and with leaders across the institution, the Associate Director develops, monitors and evaluates effective unit review practices for implementation across the three campuses. The Associate Director also routinely engages with colleagues in the Office of Academic Affairs, the Graduate School Council of elected faculty, and leadership of Council committees and working groups, using insights from the unit review process to facilitate continuous improvement in Graduate School curriculum, policy, and operations. 

This position is based at the University of Washington Seattle campus and is eligible for a hybrid schedule.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership of Academic Unit Review (60%):

• Direct the Academic Unit Review process for all units offering undergraduate and graduate programs across the three UW campuses.

• Plan and develop strategies, processes and resources to help academic units prepare for and enact the final recommendations from Academic Unit Review

• Support units in identifying relevant data sources and preparing data-informed reports for unit reviews.

• Provide counsel to the Deans, Department Chairs, and Directors of programs whose academic units are undergoing Academic Unit Review.

• Advise faculty, staff, and students about the review process. This includes acting as a representative of the Graduate School and Graduate School Dean and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

• Provide counsel to the faculty review committee evaluating each academic unit, including UW faculty and faculty from other institutions.

• Lead continuous improvement efforts to ensure unit review processes serve to assist units in meeting university and college or school-level goals.

Strategic Initiatives for the Office of Academic Affairs (15%):

• Participate in the development and implementation of processes, strategic initiatives and resources that support the Graduate School's strategic plan, by providing counsel to the Dean and Associate Dean. Create reports that inform key university decision makers and stakeholders on trends in academic unit review outcomes.
• Identify needs, cultivate opportunities and provide leadership to create efficiencies and implement evidence-based initiatives in the unit review process.
• Coordinate with the Director of Academic Affairs and Policy to use unit review insights to update Graduate School policies and improve operational processes in OAA.

Supervisory Responsibilities (15%):

• Supervise the Academic Unit Review Specialist charged with coordinating the day-to-day logistics of Academic Unit Review, including the scheduling of site visits, tracking reviews across years, resource and document distribution, and site visit management.
• Provide oversight, performance feedback, and professional development guidance to the Academic Unit Review Specialist.

Planning and Logistics (10%):

• Supervise the coordination of planning and logistics for Academic Unit Review. This includes overseeing high-level functions, such as convening the Review Committee and approving the site visit agenda.
• Oversee management of systems and tracking for Academic Unit Review, Interim Reports, and 5-year reports on new graduate programs.
• Track and coordinate the Academic Unit Review Specialist's work assignments.

Perform other duties as required to support the ongoing mission and strategic plans of the School.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity, your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

• Master’s degree.
• Three years of experience in an institutional assessment, academic administration or leadership role, or equivalent experience.

Additional Qualifications

• Possess professional integrity and a high degree of discretion and diplomacy.
• Maintain a service-oriented approach across all areas of responsibility.
• Effective written and oral communication skills for broad audiences.
• Understand institutional structures and policies in higher education.
• Proven management skills in organizing and overseeing staff and processes to support and redesign effective procedures.
• Demonstrated success in project management and building productive relationships with a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to negotiate complex institutional systems.
• Adept at using institutional data to drive business decisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook calendar, MS Word and MS Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience working in a multi-campus university system or experience in a variety of higher education institutions (e.g., R1, regional, master’s).

• Prior experience in the fields of quality improvement, educational assessment, university accreditation and review and graduate education.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Occasional logistical support for events in early morning or early evening.

• This is a hybrid position requiring at least 2 days of onsite work a week at the UW Seattle campus during regular business hours. May work extended or non-standard hours based on project or business needs.

• Flexibility and extra hours (including evenings and weekends) may occasionally be required.

Visa Sponsorship

• This recruitment is not open to applicants who will require employer sponsorship for an H-1B or E-3 visa.

About the Team

For the University of Washington Graduate School, students are our purpose and our source of strength. Serving over 17,000 graduate students and supporting 300 graduate programs across our three campuses, we deliver inclusive programming, community events, professional and intellectual development resources and funding opportunities. Visit us at  https://grad.uw.edu/ to learn more.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

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Temporary or Regular?

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About the UW 

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.  

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

Our Commitment 

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or

dso@uw.edu

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.