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Director, Academic Affairs and Instructional Services

University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States


Department PSD Applied Data Science: Administration

About The Department The MS in Applied Data Science program (MS-ADS) is a professional graduate program within the Data Science Institute (DSI) and Physical Sciences Division (PSD) at the University of Chicago. The DSI executes the University of Chicago’s bold, innovative vision of Data Science as an evolving discipline; the PSD explores new frontiers in the physical and mathematical sciences to lead the world in inquiry and impact. The purpose of MS-ADS is to advance the careers of diverse students for technical- and/or management-focused careers in data science and AI. Students may apply for full- or part-time admissions for the In‑Person Programs, Online Program, or Joint Degree programs. Admitted students benefit from a dedicated, full‑service team in support of robust student and alumni outcomes.

Job Summary Reporting to the Executive Director of the MS‑ADS, the Director of Academic Affairs and Instructional Services works closely with the leadership and faculty to manage the faculty affairs and instructional services of the In‑Person Programs, Online Program, and Joint Degree programs. The Director is responsible for the oversight and execution of faculty and instructor recruiting, course scheduling, instructor feedback, and related duties. The role collaborates with enrollment management, student affairs, career services/external partnerships, and facilities/IT to support the student experience for both online and in‑person modalities. The Director also serves as a senior member of the MS‑ADS leadership team and liaisons with staff and faculty at UChicago’s DSI, PSD Dean’s Office, UCP, and other University units. A portion of the time may be dedicated to strategic planning of new related master’s programs. The position is primarily based in the NBC Tower, downtown Chicago, IL, and is eligible for a partially remote work schedule.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership and vision for academic affairs and instructional services, fostering a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive work culture.

Supervise, mentor, and evaluate four professional staff, ensuring operational excellence across faculty and instructional support.

Collaborate with Program Directors and Clinical Advisory Team to plan course scheduling, instructor assignments, curriculum, and the Capstone experience.

Partner with the Sr. Manager of Facilities & IT to optimize class scheduling and space utilization.

Direct long‑term planning and compliance for faculty and academic employee recruitment, hiring, onboarding, evaluation, promotion, and reappointment.

Uphold confidentiality, discretion, and integrity in handling sensitive information, academic records, personnel data, and institutional documents.

Ensure compliance with institutional policies, accreditation standards, and maintain up‑to‑date faculty credentials and contract records.

Guide development and refinement of academic policies to support institutional and program objectives.

Work closely with enrollment management, student affairs, career services, clinical advisory, and external partnership teams to align academic policies, course offerings, and teaching assignments with program strategy and student success initiatives.

Coordinate with the PSD’s Director of Academic Affairs for effective processing of instructor appointments and pay requests.

Oversee teaching assistant recruiting and training, supporting ongoing TA professional development.

Provide strategic oversight for professional development and instructional design initiatives, led by the Instructional Designer, to advance pedagogical innovation and teaching quality.

Lead change management efforts, driving continuous improvement of courses and workflows based on data analysis and collaborative assessment.

Manage budgetary planning and execution for instructional services in partnership with the Faculty Director and Executive Director.

Analyze data from academic operations, enrollment, and student outcomes to inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and budget management.

Establish, monitor, and assess goals, benchmarks, and outcomes for academic and faculty support activities.

Represent MS‑ADS academic affairs in institutional committees, cross‑functional teams, and external collaborations.

Lead special projects related to academic innovation, curricular transformation, and real‑world student experiences.

Manage the daily operations of an organizational unit or assist with managing the daily operations of a larger unit in areas such as finance, purchasing, grant, facilities, human resources, and support services.

Ensure staff compliance with institutional, University, and other relevant policies and guidelines.

May oversee the management of information technology planning to ensure necessary operating and information systems and resources are in place.

Perform other related work as needed.

Education Minimum qualifications include a college or university degree in a related field.

Minimum Qualifications Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in a related field.

Work Experience Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications None specified.

Preferred Qualifications None specified.

Experience

Experience working in academic affairs, including direct student‑facing responsibilities.

Experience with international students.

Experience managing human resources processes.

Experience working with faculty and instructors.

Experience with professionally oriented graduate programs.

Technical Skills Or Knowledge

Experience with learning platforms and technologies (e.g., Canvas, Zoom, Panopto, Wistia, other).

Advanced data and reporting skills (Slate, Excel, PPT, Database, PeopleSoft) for prospective and enrolled student data management.

Proficiency in office software such as Microsoft Office, Google Docs, etc.

Preferred Competencies

Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to resolve problems with a high degree of discretion, diplomacy, and tact.

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate to a diverse audience.

Ability to coordinate with many partner offices simultaneously to innovatively problem‑solve on behalf of students and staff.

Superior organizational skills and constant attention to detail.

Ability to work independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations.

Commitment to excellent customer service, including tact, discretion, and proper judgement as necessary.

Expertise to collect and maintain a vast array of records to improve organizational knowledge and data points.

Strong project management skills, including experience with large‑scale projects, working effectively across organizational boundaries and disciplines.

Demonstrated expertise in financial planning, data‑driven decision making, and resource management within an academic environment.

Excellent supervisory skills.

Working Conditions

This position is eligible for a partially remote work schedule.

This position requires occasional work on evenings and weekends.

Application Documents

Resume (required)

Cover Letter (required)

References (required)

When applying, the document(s)

MUST

be uploaded via the

My Experience

page, in the section titled

Application Documents

of the application.

Job Family Administration & Management

Role Impact People Manager

Scheduled Weekly Hours 37.5

Drug Test Required No

Health Screen Required No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No

Pay Rate Type Salary

FLSA Status Exempt

Pay Range $120,000.00 - $145,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773‑702‑5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

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