EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ACADEMICS

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Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website.

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

The University of Washington’s Information School (iSchool) is seeking an Executive Director for Academics. Under the general direction of the Associate Dean for Academics, the Executive Director for Academics is the operational staff leader of the iSchool’s Academics Enterprise responsible for ensuring equitable, efficient, and effective academic programs by managing budgets, supervising staff leaders, and coordinating schoolwide academic activities. This role works closely with the school’s Associate Dean for Academics to help realize the vision, goals, and values for the iSchool’s academic mission through staff efforts.

The successful candidate is a strong leader, communicator, and problem solver who excels at implementing complex processes at scale and can think multiple steps ahead when weighing the impact of various decisions. The individual in this role can explain the rationale and implications of alternative options to leadership and present an argument for a course of action that aligns with organizational values and strategic goals.

What You’ll Be Doing:

Leadership and Management

1. Supervise and direct the daily operations of the Academic Enterprise, including supervision of the Directors for Academic Services, Admissions, and Career Services.
2. Participate on the Academics Council; implement decisions and coordinate the work of the program committees on schoolwide action plans.
3. Participate in the development of short and long-term strategic planning initiatives. Collaborate with the Associate Dean, Program Chairs, and Directors to develop key performance indicators for academic programs and operational teams.

Financial Administration

1. Prepare annual budget proposals for Academics. Develop and manage the academic course budget with input from Program Chairs, Program Managers, and the Director of Teaching and Learning.
2. Work closely with the Assistant Dean for Finance and Operations to align financial planning with iSchool goals and priorities.
3. Develop and manage the budget for schoolwide initiatives supporting multiple degree programs.

Communication

1. Consult regularly with Program Managers and other Academics staff on administration of programs.
2. Give presentations on academic programs, policies, and procedures to Information School faculty, staff, and students.
3. Facilitate and promote excellent working relationships with other iSchool functional units to ensure effective project management and resource allocation.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in higher education, educational leadership, public administration, information science, or any of the affiliated information disciplines.
2. Minimum five years of direct supervisory and office management experience in an academic environment.

Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

Additional Minimum Requirements

1. Prior leadership in academic administration in higher education.
2. Academic staff supervision experience.
3. Demonstrated experience working with diverse stakeholders to improve efficiency and effectiveness of administrative processes for equitable outcomes for students, faculty, and staff.
4. Experience collaborating with higher education faculty to realize values and visions.
5. Effective communication in a diversity of media, including face to face, email, text chat, phone, and video chat.

Desired Qualifications

1. A graduate degree in higher education, educational leadership, public administration, information science, or any of the affiliated information disciplines (e.g., Masters, EdD, PhD).
2. Knowledge of University of Washington curriculum approval processes, registration policies, and financial aid systems.
3. Experience realizing equity and justice-centered, anti-racist academic policy and processes by disrupting and rebuilding organizational routines.

Conditions of Employment

1. Work is primarily contained within weekday mornings and afternoons. Some job duties will require participation at events during evening hours and weekends.
2. The work has no specific physical demands, though travel between iSchool workspaces on and off main campus will be required.

Cover Letter Requirements

1. Outline your interest and suitability for this role.
2. How do you see your background and skills meeting the needs of this position?

Application Process: The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. Please note that your application will not be reviewed until all required