Associate Director, Undergraduate Academic Services (term)

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Department of Computer Science is located in the Faculty of Arts & Science and is home to Canada’s top computer science program. It selects from among the best and brightest students and provides them with an excellent education that prepares them for a wide variety of career paths in computer science and for advanced study in a number of professional and professional degree programs. It is a highly respected, highly competitive program within the academic community.

The Associate Director, Undergraduate Academic Services provides strategic operational guidance on undergraduate courses and programs, student services, and instructional support and engages in continual innovation and improvement to ensure consistent high-quality administrative, student and instructional support is provided to all undergraduate programs in the department. The Associate Director oversees the organizational design, management, and professional development of administrative staff in the undergraduate office.

The Associate Director employs technology to improve operational efficiency; and provides qualitative and quantitative analyses regarding program, student, and instructional support activities.

Reporting to the Director, Administration and responding to strategic and academic priorities determined by the Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies, the Associate Director, Undergraduate Academic Services leads the undergraduate team as well as having overall responsibility, in consultation with the Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies, for strategic and administrative support for undergraduate courses and programs, and student and instructional support. The incumbent is expected to be a leader in the identification and implementation of undergraduate administrative processes; student engagement, advising and support; and instructional support, ensuring leading edge service delivery to our students and faculty. In addition, the Associate Director is responsible for leading an effective team of student service professionals and instructional support staff, working to develop and implement programs and services that support the academic and co-curricular experience of students within this program as well as the teaching experience of faculty. The Associate Director will develop and manage an annual budget of $400,000.

The role will manage all functions related to human resource management of the undergraduate office team including organizational design, assignment of work, as well as the hiring, performance management and professional development of staff.

The incumbent will work closely with the Associate Chair, Undergraduate Studies in the development of the strategic plan, annual plans, academic services budget and the research and analysis of internal and external options to support undergraduate course and program planning, student learning and engagement, instructional support, and the development and support for departmental academic policies and procedures. They ensure student engagement in appropriate policy and process decisions, measuring and advocating for the effectiveness of services provided to students. S/he represents the program in Arts and Science meetings and on various divisional and institutional committees as appropriate.

The Associate Director, Undergraduate Academic Services has a deep understanding of the challenges the Computer Science undergraduate program faces in delivering professional student support, and the complexities and trade-offs involved in meeting the needs of the students, the faculty and the University. They work with and through all groups to build and maintain the Department of Computer Science’s leadership in the provision of computer science education. The incumbent requires exceptional negotiating, influencing and communications skills, coupled with an ability to build strong relationships with students, faculty, staff and alumni and to represent the Computer Science program within and outside the University.

Note: this is a term opportunity to December 2025.  

QUALIFICATIONS 

A minimum of five years of administrative program management experience, preferably in an undergraduate program setting. Experience working in an educational setting or related experience in a senior administrative support role in an academic environment. Experience managing staff, preferably in a unionized environment. Demonstrated project management experience, including conducting research, developing strategies, and implementing initiatives and establishing best practices for educational programming. A well-developed financial acumen, including financial analysis and budgeting. Proven track record of success in developing and implementing strategies for complex projects, student events, student co-curricular learning, and instructional support. Experience advising undergraduate students and resolving complex academic and student issues. Experience interpreting, applying, and administering varied financial, human resources, student services, and academic policies, procedures and collective agreements.

Strong computer skills with high level of proficiency in MS Word and PowerPoint; intermediate proficiency in Excel; high level of technical ability and experience working with survey tools and content management systems. Proficiency with learning management and educational technology systems (i.e. Quercus, ACORN, FIS) would be considered a strong asset.

Highly developed verbal and written communication and presentation skills. Excellent interpersonal skills with a strong ability to foster and maintain effective relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. Superior planning, organizational and project management skills with a focus on executing and completing tasks under pressure and within deadlines. Proven leadership and project-management skills; Strong team-building skils and a collaborative and consultative leadership style; excellent analytical skills and creative problem-solving ability. Demonstrated ability to advance priorities and achieve objectives within a large, complex organization, and involving a broad range of stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to seek innovative and creative solutions with a personal commitment to excellence. Demonstrated ability to conduct research on the educational markets within which the department operates to inform decision making. Proven ability to inspire confidence, to motivate and to persuade. Advanced level of acuity to anticipate and synthesize impact of decisions made. Ability to assess risk and implement mitigating strategies to optimize results. Strong attention to detail. Responsive and high degree of flexibility.

This role is currently eligible for a hybrid work arrangement, pursuant to the University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to the University of Toronto's Alternative Work Arrangements Guideline .

Closing Date: 05/30/2024, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Salaried
Appointment Type: Budget - Term to December 2025
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: PM 4 -- Hiring Zone: $102,763 - $119,892 -- Broadband Salary Range: $102,763 - $171,273
Job Category: Student Services