Director of Academic Affairs

The Director of Academic Affairs administers the academic programs at UMR; coordinates extensively with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Innovation and across both campus and system to maintain current programs; works tirelessly and creatively to develop new programs that reflect the needs of our students, the changing dynamics of healthcare, and the innovative and collaborative spirit of UMR; and supports and/or maintains academic technologies, workflows, and business processes.

This position supervises relevant staff in the academic affairs area and collaborates with leadership to coordinate or support many operations of academic programs, including budgets, scheduling, curricular processes, record keeping, and more as delegated/assigned by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Innovation.

This 12-month, annually renewable appointment reports to and works closely with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Innovation (VCAAI), providing the opportunity for a thoughtful academic innovation leader to engage in a culture of creativity and collaboration.

This position works in-person in Rochester, MN. This role is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship.

Duties and Responsibilities

Manage Academic Programs: 50%

• Manage daily operations of academic programs at the University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR), working closely and collaboratively with the Unit Head of the Center for Learning Innovation (CLI), CLI faculty, and staff.
• Execute campus and system policies, ensuring compliance with University/System academic policies
• Oversee course scheduling and other periodic logistical needs
• Advocate for facilities for faculty and curricular activities
• Supervise the activities of the academic administrative staff, including the Administrative Associate for Academic Affairs and the Associate Director of Health Professions
• Collaborate with relevant campus entities to administer academic budgets.
• Support VCAAI and UMR leadership in maintaining academic partnerships with external programs as directed
• Collaborate with VCAAI to lead accreditation processes and other externally facing initiatives
• Generate reports as needed in collaboration with other units

Manage Strategic and Tactical Efforts: 20%

• Engage as a strategist and tactician in the work of the AAI team, collaborating with relevant campus units to identify major challenges and/or special initiatives.
• Manage creative, deliberative, forward-looking development of innovative solutions that benefit our students, UMR, and the healthcare fields more generally in a manner that is highly collaborative and deeply respectful of all
• Work with campus colleagues to enhance UMR student learning and support the UMR vision.
• Coordinate with system colleagues for University-level initiatives

Support/Maintain Academic Technologies/Workflows/Etc.: 15%

• Primary campus Product Support for academic technologies (e.g. Canvas, media tools, MyCommittee, others)
• Manage software licensing (payments, connections with vendors)
• Support acquisition of new tools
• Serve as UMR's Academic Digital Accessibility Liaison
• Develop and support Jadu forms/workflows
• Serve as UMR representative for RFPs, system-wide tool adoptions

Other Responsibilities: 15%

• Serve on campus and system level committees as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree with at least 6 years of related experience in management of a department of notable size, complexity, or significance.
• Experience in project management, particularly in highly collaborative and innovative settings

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's or Doctoral degree with experience in higher education administration.
• Doctoral degree or equivalent with 5 years of experience in higher education administration.
• Creative, forward-thinking, and highly collaborative approach to problem-solving
• Works collaboratively and effectively in interdisciplinary teams
• Demonstrated commitment to UMR's vision and values: human potential, diversity and inclusivity, community, evidence-based decision-making, and respect.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Proven skills in leading academic units and administrative endeavors that support faculty achievement, including the co-design, implementation and management of assessment plans and curricular innovation at the undergraduate level.
• Demonstrated support and familiarity with the scholarship of teaching and learning and/or education research.
• Familiarity with academic technology tools and support

UMR's Vision is to inspire transformation in higher education through innovations that empower our graduates to solve the grand health challenges of the 21st century. The campus facilities are adjacent to the world-class Mayo Clinic and other industry leaders in the life sciences in downtown Rochester, Minnesota. Rochester is the fastest growing city in Minnesota, currently experiencing exponential growth with the Bold Forward Unbound facilities expansion and the University's continued growth. UMR recently received a national designation as an Opportunity University, reflecting the impactful opportunities of our City of care and innovation.

Pay Range: $77,000 - $88,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

For a complete application, please include a resume and cover letter.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR)

At the University of Minnesota Rochester, our vision is to transform higher education through innovations that empower graduates to solve the grand health challenges of the twenty-first century. UMR prepares students for a broad spectrum of career pathways including pre-med and patient care; psychology and mental health; business and leadership; health technology; public policy and global health; and research, discovery, and cures.

The campus community serves almost 1,000 undergraduate and graduate students in the heart of downtown Rochester and continues to grow in size and influence through creative partnerships. At UMR, relationships and research drive student success. Learn more about UMR.

The University of Minnesota is proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022-24).