Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Education

Department: Office of the Provost
Salary/Grade: EXS/30

The target hiring range for this position will be $155,000 - $175,000 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.

Job Summary:

The Assistant Provost champions institutional innovation, leading efforts that address emerging challenges and shape the future of undergraduate education. This leadership role in the Office of the Provost that focuses on conceptualizing, leading, managing, and executing initiatives that support and enhance the undergraduate experience at Northwestern.

The Assistant Provost advances initiatives related to undergraduate education utilizing a depth of understanding of the University's undergraduate schools and units that support undergraduate education; strong analytical thinking and writing skills; and an ability to design and deliver on the desired outcomes of various initiatives through independent work and directing the work of others, including those on the Undergraduate Education team and colleagues on cross-functional teams representing undergraduate schools and units such as the Division of Student Affairs (and units within it), Office of Undergraduate Admission, Office of Financial Aid, Office of the Registrar, Office of Institutional Research, and Office of General Counsel.

Reporting to the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education (APUE), the Assistant Provost of Undergraduate Education leads a number of key efforts within the Undergraduate Education portfolio including overseeing the administration of the 8.5 units that report to the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education, including staffing, budgets, and activities within those units; facilitating and ensuring strategic alignment of activities of the Undergraduate Council, Undergraduate Deans Council, and Academic Integrity Council; and overseeing the review and selection of University Teaching Awards and Curriculum Innovation Awards.

Additionally, the Assistant Provost partners closely with the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education - and at times independently leads - key responsibilities within the APUE portfolio including potential new initiatives and policies to enhance the undergraduate experience in alignment with University priorities. The Assistant Provost oversees the operations of the Office of Undergraduate Education and supervises the work of other members of the core UE team. The Assistant Provost not only partners with the APUE but also acts as a senior representative of the Office, engaging directly with university leadership to assist in shaping strategy and policy in undergraduate education

Specific Responsibilities:

• Oversees administration of units that report to the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education: Academic Support and Learning Advancement, Center for Civic Engagement, Office of Fellowships, Office of FGLI Initiatives, Health Professions Advising, Global Learning Office, Naval ROTC, Office of Undergraduate Research, Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching. Works with unit directors on issues related to budget, staffing and programming within each unit.
• Directly manages and develops a high-performing team, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and supporting staff growth: Director Academic Initiatives, the Associate Director of FGLI Initiatives, and the Undergraduate Education Program Coordinator.
• Partners with the Associate Provost on strategic initiatives related to undergraduate education by anticipating future trends, developing proactive strategies to enhance the student experience, evaluating current initiatives, and identifying new opportunities in priority areas of need.Leads administration of initiatives including Books for 'Cats, Affordable Instructional Resources, Teaching and Curriculum Awards, FGLI Initiatives, Undergraduate Advising.
• Leverages data to evaluate program effectiveness and inform recommendations for enhancements.
• Leads efforts to develop and implement undergraduate policies and services in collaboration with Associate Deans in each of the undergraduate schools (Bienen, MEAS, Medill, SoC, SESP, SPS, Weinberg, NU-Q) and the Assistant Provost and University Registrar.
• Manages the financial operations of the Office of Undergraduate Education.
• Builds and maintains strategic partnerships with national undergraduate education consortia and foundations to support university initiatives
• Oversees creation and maintenance of business continuity plans for the Office of Undergraduate Education, ensuring documented plans are updated regularly.
• Represents the Office of Undergraduate Education in Provost-led strategic planning and high-level cross-functional committees

Miscellaneous

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree or higher from an accredited university.
• 7-10 years of work experience in university administrative role(s) and in working with academic professionals in a higher education organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary teams and mentoring mid-level managers.
• Proven leadership skills, including the ability to take initiative, to work with little direct supervision, to supervise administrative staff, and to develop and execute plans.
• Proven track record of influencing institutional policy at the university level.
• Recognized thought leader in undergraduate education with contributions to national conversations or publications
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills and the ability to collect, analyze, synthesize and present data-supported recommendations for action.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to forge productive working relationships with a broad range of constituencies including deans' offices, Student Affairs, and central units; ability to lead and guide the work of others including those outside of the office; flexibility, and the ability to deal with outside organizations including community, foundation, and government entities.
• Exceptional writing and presentation skills, including the ability to draft complex communications.
• Strong attention to detail. Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and prioritize appropriately.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity toward a wide range of disciplines, interests, and constituencies represented in a large and complex academic organization. Familiarity with academic institutional culture and structure, and sensitivity to its mission.
• Discretion with confidential information, good judgment in making decisions, and awareness for when matters should be escalated to senior leaders vs. managed by the Assistant Provost.
• Service-oriented approach

Preferred Qualifications:

• A terminal degree and achievements worthy of appointment as an instructional faculty member at Northwestern preferred.
• Substantive experience engaging with undergraduate students through teaching and/or academic administrative roles preferred; experience in a research university desirable.

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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