Director of Academic Quality

Director of Academic Quality
National Louis University - Chicago, IL
Overview:
You are: Driven to Succeed.
You are energetic and passionate about a diverse student body that includes many first-generation students. To be successful, you must be committed to excellence in teaching and learning in Higher Education. The position requires you to be agile, creative and engaging while offering a new curriculum and an unparalleled experience to undergraduate students. Enthusiastic candidates have the belief that all students can be successful students. As an active team member you believe in a supportive environment and a student-driven culture.

You will: Offer Best-in-Class Teaching and Learning.
You believe that your work has demonstrated your respect for education and the power that it holds. You will work with a dedicated team of Coaches and Instructors, Content Experts and Data Analysts to determine how to personalize the learning experience for your students.

You are ready to: Make an Impact.
Each and every day, this program changes lives. You want to be a part of that meaningful innovation. You are someone that will always look for creative ways for students to earn success. We know this work is challenging, but we are in it together.

NLU UGC CORE COMPETENCIES

Student-Focused: Make decisions based on what is best for students with the belief that when all students have access, resources and support, they are empowered to achieve success.
Expect Excellence: Hold high expectations for our students and for the adults to serve them and hold ourselves accountable for achieving excellence.
Personalized Support: Take a holistic approach to providing individualized support that encourages students to realize their full potential in college and beyond.
Data-Driven, Collaborative Environment: Work together as a unified team, utilizing real-time data and technology to adapt to student needs.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Remain agile and open to changes and new ideas-incorporating data as well as student, faculty and administration voice-to ensure that we are continuously learning, improving, and innovating in all aspects of the student experience.

Job Summary

The Director of Academic Quality will support the development, maintenance and success of all General Education and Professional Studies academic programs, curriculum, and methods of instruction. They will support Department Chairs and Directors with ensuring that all programs, curriculum, coursework and instructional delivery is high-quality, and develop an innovative and effective embedded professional development model. This position will report to the Senior Associate Dean and will collaborate extensively with other departments across the university in order to ensure that all units are working together to support high-quality academic programming.

Essential Responsibilities:
Program and Department Support

Coordinate with UGC and university leadership to support and lead the annual program review process, timelines, and templates for all UGC programs.
Develop and implement data analysis cadence in collaboration with UGC executive leadership and Department Chairs/Directors to facilitate weekly, monthly and term by term analysis in alignment with all annual program reviews.
Coordinate and lead annual assessment planning process in collaboration with NLU's Department of Assessment, developing/refining assessment plans in alignment with institutional processes and external accreditors (if applicable).
Support Department Chairs and Directors with navigating the academic alert process, including the development, writing and implementation of all academic alerts and points of interest memos.
Serve as the final credentialing agent for all General Education and Professional Studies units; maintain and review credentialing standards.
Serve as approver and support Department Chair and Directors with articulation agreements and individual course equivalents/substitutions across General Education and Professional Studies units.
Develop and implement systemic processes for integrating student voice into all aspects of the academic program.

Curriculum and Instruction Support

Collaborate with university departments, UGC Department Chairs, Directors, and faculty in order to clearly articulate quality characteristics of high-quality curriculum, course, and instructional delivery.
Support Department Chairs and Directors with ensuring that all coursework within their program is high-quality, relevant, and adheres to culturally responsive curricular practices.
Serve as the point person to the Academic Operations team to follow-up with Department Chairs and Directors about course development needs.
Support Department Chairs and Directors with completing all aspects of the course design process, including course data information sheets, reviewing course maps, and QCing all courses to ensure that all courses are high-quality.
Support Department Chairs, Directors and executive UGC leadership with ensuring instructional delivery in all classrooms is high-quality and supports students with meeting the goals they set for themselves.
Develop, implement and evaluate a professional development structure that centers embedded coaching, leverages the expertise and talent of faculty, aligns with university professional development structures, and holds all involved accountable to ensuring strong student outcomes.

Accreditation Management

Project manage all accreditation work, which includes convening teams with appropriate stakeholders from the program, College, and Provost's office to collaborate on annual requirements for accreditation from the program's accrediting body; review and ensure on-time submittal of required materials as indicated by the program's accrediting body.
Lead program faculty in the development and reporting of assessment plans and outcomes aligned with accreditation standards.
Support program faculty in the organization and approach to writing required narrative in response to accreditation standards.
Lead and execute various projects as assigned.
Qualifications:
Master's Degree in Higher Education, Education or related fields.
Five plus (5+) years of leadership experience and management in education, including experience leading teams to drive educational outcomes for diverse learners.
Five plus (5+) years teaching experience; passionate about, and experience with, teaching a highly diverse student body.
Three to five (3-5) years experience in program review and accreditation management.
Three to five (3-5) years Experience in strategic and innovative academic program design, and delivery of instruction.
Three to five (3-5) years Skilled in the utilization of technology and data to drive instructional and operational improvements.
Three to five (3-5) Skilled in data collection and analysis in order to drive student outcomes.

Leadership Direction and Vision: Takes the lead in developing a shared vision that challenges and inspires individuals across various stakeholder groups (e.g. with staff, students, parents). Articulates, discusses and models the vision in a manner that maximizes personal credibility as well as the understanding and buy-in of others. Empowers and oversees the creation and accomplishment of specific, challenging and attainable staff and student goals that are directly connected to the shared vision.

Time Management and Organization: Plans and prepares effectively for efficient use of classroom time, ensuring that subject matter flows in logical sequence, equipment and other resources are readily available and in proper working order, etc. Manages and balances responsibilities outside the classroom (e.g., grading papers, communicating with parents, faculty meetings, record keeping) in a timely and effective manner. Embraces opportunities to use technology (including software solutions) to increase work organization and efficiency.

Managing Multiple Priorities: Handles multiple assignments and priorities yet still fulfills all commitments. Readily accepts new responsibilities and adapts well to changes in procedures. Gives appropriate priorities to various work demands.

Quality of Work: Has established a track record of producing work that is highly accurate, demonstrates attention to detail and reflects well on the organization. Is personally committed to high quality work and encourages others to have similar standards.

NLU Inclusion Statement:

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued. We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.