About the Searle Center

Our Mission

The mission of the Searle Center for Teaching Excellence at Northwestern University is to advance learning in higher education by

• Promoting teaching practice that is grounded in pedagogical scholarship
• Contributing to the academic literature on teaching and learning

Job Openings:

Assistant/Associate Director of the Searle Center for Teaching Excellence

The Searle Center for Teaching Excellence seeks applicants for the position of Assistant/Associate Director.
Review of applications will begin April 1st and continue until the position is filled.

MISSION
The Searle Center for Teaching Excellence works collaboratively with faculty, students, and administrators across all schools of the University to foster and sustain a culture that practices, values, and rewards university teaching and learning as vital forms of scholarship.  More information about the Center is available at www.northwestern.edu/searle.


RESPONSIBILITIES
The Assistant/Associate Director will work with graduate students and postdocs across the university to advance excellence in teaching and learning at Northwestern. This work will take a variety of forms, in three general areas:

Programs
•    Directs programming for graduate students including strategic planning, program design, implementation, and evaluation.
•    Oversees the activities of two graduate assistants as well as ~14 graduate student fellows and affiliates of the Searle Center, who contribute to the Center’s programming.
•    Consults with individuals and academic units about a variety of learning and teaching issues.

Management
•    Collaborates with the director(s) and staff to plan, coordinate, implement, and evaluate a variety of programs and activities to support the Northwestern teaching and learning mission.
•    Collaborates with director(s) in furthering the Center’s strategic planning and ensuring effectiveness of Center activities.
•    Supervises one full-time staff member.
•    Acts as liaison to departments and schools in conducting needs assessment, coordinating efforts, and offering specialized sessions.
•    Serves on University committees and provides general service to the University as appropriate.

Research and Evaluation
•    Systematically evaluates graduate programs.
•    Develops research and evaluation projects on teaching and learning issues at Northwestern.
•    Contributes to the national and international dialogue on teaching and learning through conference presentations and publications.

QUALIFICATIONS
•    ABD, PhD preferred
•    Broad academic interests outside one’s own discipline
•    College-level teaching experience
•    Excellent supervisory and project-management skills
•    Demonstrated strong collaborative orientation
•    Demonstrated skills with program design, facilitation, and evaluation
•    Knowledge of and interest in the academic and professional literature on teaching and learning
•    Experience in graduate student or faculty development

Candidates should possess initiative and flexibility, excellent teamwork skills, excellent interpersonal and consultative skills, a strong commitment to teaching excellence, and sensitivity to the multiple missions of a major research university. Candidates must be able to handle multiple responsibilities with minimal supervision.  This is a full-time administrative position with salary commensurate with the candidate's background and experience.

To apply:

Please post a cover letter relating your skills and experiences to the job description, a CV, and names and contact information of three references, to: http://www.northwestern.edu/hr/jobs/.  Refer to Job ID# 18762. Northwestern University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer.  Verification of employment eligibility required upon hire.