Director of Doctor of Law & Policy Program and Teaching Professor

About the Opportunity

Open Rank: Doctorate in Law and Policy Program, Non-Tenure Track Faculty member 

 

About Northeastern 

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experience-driven lifelong learning. Our world-renowned experiential approach empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create impact far beyond the confines of discipline, degree, and campus. Our locations—in Boston; Charlotte, North Carolina; London; Portland, Maine; San Francisco; Seattle; Oakland; Silicon Valley; Toronto; Vancouver; and the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant—are nodes in our growing global university system. Through this network, we expand opportunities for flexible, student-centered learning and collaborative, solutions-focused research. Northeastern’s comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs— in a variety of on-campus and online formats—lead to degrees through the doctorate in ten colleges and schools. Among these, we offer more than 195 multi-discipline majors and degrees designed to prepare students for purposeful lives and careers. 

 

About the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University 

The College of Professional Studies is one of ten colleges of Northeastern University, a nationally ranked private research university. Founded in 1960, the College provides lifelong experiential learning that unleashes the capacities of aspiring individuals in all stages and walks of life. The College teaches undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students on campus and online in more than 90 programs. 

 

Position Summary: 

 

The College of Professional Studies seeks a dynamic, visionary leader to serve as the Director of the Doctorate in Law and Policy Program (DLP).  

 

In an increasingly complex and globally connected environment, the Doctor of Law and Policy program empowers leaders in the government, for-profit, and nonprofit sectors to establish expertise, advance their careers, and drive lasting change. Through a flexible learning format, students examine the intersection of three key themes—law, research, and policy—honing their professional and analytical skills as they learn to tackle practical problems with a multidisciplinary approach. 

 

The curriculum covers the impact of political, economic, and social trends, how to craft recommendations, strategies, and arguments to influence global and domestic law and policy. The program utilizes both online and in-person residencies, allowing students to complete the program in as little as 24 months. 

 

The program currently offers cohorts in Boston and Seattle, WA, with a planned expansion to Charlotte, NC in 2024. Additional expansion into niche areas, such as technology, are planned, and the College is seeking a leader who has a strong record of impact in the areas of law and policy. 

 

This role includes an appointment as a full-time non-tenure track faculty member, as well as an appointment as the Director of Doctorate and Law Program. In their capacity as a full-time, non-tenure track faculty member within the College, this person will teach courses and advise doctoral students.   

 

In their capacity as program director, they will be responsible for setting the strategic direction of the programs, as well as managing all aspects of the program, including academic quality, learner experience, faculty development, and program innovation and growth. In addition, the Director will advise the College leadership team on all aspects of the program, including market needs and a continual improvement strategy.  

 

This role reports to the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. 

 

Responsibilities and areas of focus include: 

• Collaborate with Enrollment Management and CPS Marketing, Events, and Communications to design market driven events, market the program, and recruit students. 

• Partner with academic advising, academic operations, and CPS Marketing, Events, and Communications to ensure an exceptional learner experience from entry through graduation and beyond.   

• With academic deans, academic operations, and academic advising, ensure program meets all accreditation requirements, is structurally sound, and provides a scalable, high-quality learner experience. 

• Collaborate with the Curriculum and Assessment Team to ensure high-quality courses in terms of course design, learner engagement, instructor engagement, industry relevance, rigor, and experiential learning in all modalities and at all locations. 

• Periodically evaluate the program curriculum and propose updates and changes to meet learner and market needs and ensure program competitiveness and growth. 

• In collaboration with the Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, lead the hiring, staffing, and professional development of all program faculty. Identify and recruit new faculty members. 

• Lead the expansion of the program into Charlotte and other global network locations. 

• Ensure the program is rigorous, engaging, market-aligned, and supportive of learner success.  

• Advise the assistant and associate deans on all matters associated with the program, including academic quality, learner experience, faculty engagement, market needs, and growth opportunities. 

• Teach online and on ground courses. Serve on dissertation committees. 

 

Qualifications and skills: 

• A terminal degree from an accredited institution in public policy or a related field. 

• A minimum of 5 years implementing public policy initiatives or studying the development, implementation, and evaluation of public policy initiatives. 

• Experience in academic program development, teaching, and administration. 

• A record of effective teaching at the graduate level that evidences a commitment to innovative pedagogy, inclusive learning, and continuous improvement.  

• Demonstrated expertise and engagement in public policy development, implementation, and evaluation. 

• Demonstrated understanding of the public policy field, including the legal and policy development areas that are the key pillars of this program. 

• Demonstrated understanding of qualitative and quantitative research modalities, particularly regarding program evaluation research. 

• Experience mentoring students, particularly adult mid-career learners, preferred. 

• Experience working with international studies preferred. 

• Experience developing online and hybrid programs with structured design, immersive learning, and learner communities.  

• Passion for learner success with an insight- and data-driven approach to supporting faculty in playing a significant role to achieve scaled programs with exceptional quality.   

• Strong communication, collaboration, and consensus-building skills. 

• Involvement with relevant professional, government, and/or industry associations and agencies, and a record of developing strategic partnerships with critical external organizations.  

• A demonstrated commitment to fostering diverse and equitable learning and working environments with an ability to collaborate with diverse student and faculty populations.  

 

This position is a full-time, open rank, non-tenure track, renewable appointment located in Boston or at one of Northeastern’s Global Campuses. 

 

Additional Information 

 

Applicants should submit materials including a letter of interest, vitae, and contact information for three professional references. In your cover letter, please discuss how you can support our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all faculty, staff, and students.  Please direct questions to Jack McDevitt ([email protected]). Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. 

 

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.  

 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity . 

 

 

 

In Vancouver, the expected hiring range for this position is CAD $132,640 to CAD $162,115, based upon the position’s scope and responsibilities. 

Position Type

Academic

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.  

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff.  Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. 

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other  characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity .