Executive Director, Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning

Position Description:
The Executive Director of the Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITAL) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for comprehensive faculty development and instructional technology and design initiatives that advance excellence in teaching, learning, and scholarship across the university. This position plays a central role in shaping the institution's instructional future, fostering a culture of evidence-based pedagogy, and supporting faculty success at all career stages.

 Reporting to the Provost Office, the Executive Director oversees the Center's programs, services, budget, and staff; leads strategic initiatives in instructional innovation and educational technology; and collaborates closely with academic units, faculty governance, and key campus partners to ensure faculty development is a visible, well-supported, and data-informed institutional priority.

This position requires a visionary, collaborative, and forward-thinking leader with a strong record of innovation, demonstrated commitment to student success, and deep expertise in faculty development and instructional design.

Major Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Vision (30%)

• Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-year strategic plan for faculty development aligned with the university's academic mission, strategic priorities, and emerging trends in higher education
• Provide visionary leadership for campus-wide initiatives that make the institution an outstanding place for faculty to teach, mentor, engage in scholarly and creative work, and contribute to student success
• Lead the development of institutional strategies for emerging technologies, including AI-enhanced teaching, addressing opportunities, risks, and long-term instructional implications
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with deans, department chairs, program directors, faculty governance, and other academic leaders to identify needs, share best practices, and align initiatives
• Advise senior academic leadership on trends, challenges, and innovations in teaching and learning
• Collaborate with campus partners, including the library, sponsored research, and academic accommodation offices, to support institutional priorities
• Serve on university committees, task forces, and working groups related to teaching and learning
• Serve as a campus-wide resource and advocate for policies and practices that enhance faculty success, career progression, and well-being
• Engage with and represent the Center at conferences, workshops, national networks, and organizations to elevate the university's visibility in teaching and learning innovation

 Faculty Development Programming and Support (30%)

• Design, implement, and assess comprehensive faculty development programs across all career stages, including:
  • New faculty onboarding and integration programs
  • Early-career faculty mentoring and development
  • Mid-career faculty renewal and advancement initiatives
  • Leadership development for department chairs, directors, and emerging faculty leaders
  • Teaching excellence workshops, learning communities, and institutes
• Use research, evaluation, and learning analytics to inform program development and instructional strategy
• Oversee the design and delivery of professional development in evidence-based teaching practices, active learning, curriculum design, assessment, instructional strategies, and the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL)
• Provide or supervise individual instructional consultations for faculty, departments, and schools
• Ensure all programming is inclusive, accessible, and responsive to diverse faculty needs across disciplines and modalities

 Instructional Design and Educational Technology Leadership (20%)

• Provide strategic guidance and oversight for instructional design services, ensuring alignment with best practices and institutional goals
• Lead initiatives supporting effective use of the Canvas Learning Management System and other educational technologies for course delivery, assessment, and faculty development
• Oversee the integration of emerging technologies into teaching and learning, including generative AI, with emphasis on AI literacy, ethical use, and pedagogical effectiveness
• Work across the academic units to ensure all course materials and faculty development resources meet accessibility standards (ADA, WCAG, Universal Design for Learning)
• Partner with Information Technology and other campus units to support instructional technology infrastructure and faculty capacity-building
• Guide faculty in applying instructional design models (e.g., backward design, UDL) and quality standards (e.g., Quality Matters)

 Center Management and Operations (20%)

• Supervise and mentor the diverse team in CITAL
• Lead comprehensive assessment of Center programs and services, including data collection, analysis, reporting, and evidence-based decision-making
• Collect and analyze data to assess the effectiveness of faculty development initiatives and identify emerging needs
• Manage the Center's budget, ensuring cost-effective use of resources and strategic allocation for programs, professional development, and instructional tools
• Oversee daily operations of learning system tools
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and mission-centered work environment that promotes continuous improvement
• Maintain accurate records of programming, participation, assessment data, and outcomes
• Provide annual reports and recommendations to the Provost Office on faculty development trends, outcomes, and impact on teaching and student success

 Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Master's degree in a discipline represented within the university, or in higher education, adult education, instructional design/technology, curriculum and instruction, or a related field; Doctorate or other terminal degree preferred
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in faculty development, instructional design and technology, or related academic administration in higher education
• Demonstrated success in developing, implementing, and assessing comprehensive faculty development programs
• Proven experience managing budgets and financial resources effectively
• Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and developing professional staff
• Strong record of teaching excellence at the college or university level
• Experience with instructional design principles, models, and best practices

 Other Qualifications:

Technical Skills

• Comprehensive experience with Canvas Learning Management System or comparable LMS platforms, including administration, course design, and faculty training
• Proficiency with educational technologies, digital learning tools, and instructional design software
• Familiarity with accessibility standards and tools for creating inclusive learning environments
• Experience with data collection, analysis, and reporting for program assessment

 Leadership and Interpersonal Skills

• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and collaboration skills across disciplinary and administrative boundaries
• Demonstrated ability to build consensus, manage conflict, and influence actions and opinions of diverse stakeholders
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proven ability to work effectively with faculty from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and perspectives
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and creating welcoming environments for all faculty

 Knowledge and Expertise

• Deep understanding of learning theory, evidence-based teaching practices, and current trends in higher education pedagogy
• Knowledge of online, hybrid, and face-to-face course design and delivery
• Familiarity with Quality Matters or similar quality assurance frameworks
• Understanding of academic policy development and shared governance processes

 Additional Information:

• Master Reviewer or Peer Reviewer certification in Quality Matters (QM
• Record of scholarly contributions to the field of teaching and learning (publications, presentations, grants)
• Experience with generative AI applications in teaching and learning
• Familiarity with learning analytics and educational data systems
• Experience in a complex institutional environment

Application Materials
Interested candidates should submit:

• Letter of application addressing qualifications and vision for the position, including a statement of leadership * philosophy and approach to faculty development
• Current curriculum vitae
• Names and contact information for three professional references

 Review of applications will begin on June 5, 2026

All offers of employment with Valparaiso University are contingent upon the clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks may include criminal history, motor vehicle reports, prior employment verification, and personal/professional references. If applicable to the position, they will also include credit history. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates for employment.

To be considered for this position, you must upload:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• List of 3 professional references
• Answer all application questions

Please address the cover letter to:

Dr. Eric Johnson, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, Indiana