Boston University’s Institute for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is seeking an Executive Director, Teaching & Learning Innovation, reporting into the Vice President and Associate Provost for the Institute for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, and BU Virtual. The Institute for Excellence in Teaching and Learning is a newly redesigned entity at Boston University that is designed to lead Boston University through an evolving educational landscape, informed by changes in teaching pedagogies and approaches, technology and student needs and interests. The Institute collaborates closely with BU’s schools and colleges working with faculty, staff and administrators to elevate and enhance the overall teaching and learning experience to extend the quality, reach and value of a BU education.
The Executive Director is a senior leadership role responsible for advancing excellence in teaching and learning, promoting innovative pedagogical practices, supporting the research and scholarship of teaching and learning, and enhancing and supporting the overall teaching and learning environment across BU. The Executive Director will provide strategic vision, foster faculty development, and support interdisciplinary collaboration to cultivate a culture of innovation in support of the University’s mission and priorities. The Executive Director will work closely with the Institute Steering and Advisory Committees, academic leadership, faculty and staff, as well as our digital learning leadership to ensure the Institute plays a central role in fostering excellence in teaching and learning, and in integrating best practices in a modern digital learning ecosystem.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership: Provide vision and leadership for the Institutes mission, vision, and strategic initiatives and ensure alignment with Institutional and Academic priorities.
- Pedagogical Programming Expertise: Provide expertise, including the hands-on development of initiatives, in the teaching and professional development, curriculum development, the scholarship of teaching and learning and program evaluation outcomes to all Institute activities.
- Priority Setting on High-Impact Initiatives: In collaboration with key stakeholders, establish program priorities and strategies and lead the pedagogical team responsible for developing resources and initiatives in support of faculty and best in class teaching across BU.
- Institution-level Collaboration: Partner with stakeholder groups to ensure alignment to goals and objectives, and communicate effectively across diverse groups, build reciprocal partnerships, and foster collaboration among faculty, staff, academic leaders and Colleges.
- Instructional Design/Curricular expertise: In collaboration with the education innovation and academic technology teams and other stakeholder groups, champion the utilization of instructional design expertise, meaningful adoption of learning technologies, and optimization of the learning management system to foster equitable teaching and learning environments and build faculty adoption and acceptance.
- Team Leadership & Change Management: Provide leadership and oversight for the daily operations of the Institute including data-driven planning, implementation, and assessment of programs, resources, and meaningful academic technology adoption.
- Data-Informed Decision Making: Demonstrate proficiency in continuous quality improvement through the collection and analysis of data and the ability to communicate associated impact. Use research, assessment, and evaluation to inform and improve teaching practices and program effectiveness.
Required Skills
- 12-15 years of experience in teaching and learning, with demonstrated success working with faculty and administrators in the creation of campus-wide, high impact programs and initiatives.
- Deep understanding of research-informed practices of learning, curriculum design/development, innovative instructional strategies, active and inclusive pedagogy, assessment, use of academic technologies in teaching, and their application in the higher education classroom across multiple modalities.
- Comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based teaching practices, pedagogical research methodologies, and the ability to foster faculty engagement in the scholarship of teaching and learning.
- Wide-ranging knowledge of leadership, organizational development, and change management principles and processes to collaboratively partner and champion change across campus.
- Excellent communication skills (oral, written, multimedia), clearly articulate the big picture, make clear and relevant presentations to a variety of audiences, and lead professional development programs, particularly as they relate to instructional effectiveness and curricular innovation.
- Demonstrated capabilities in data-driven decision-making and reporting to drive impact and inform new approaches and initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, manage and supervise staff, build a shared sense of mission, foster intra-staff collaboration, build strong teams, and mentor staff.
- Adept at troubleshooting, problem solving, and negotiating priorities with the ability to assess a situation, identify issues and practical solutions, and determine the best course of action.
- Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to developing best practices and initiatives with impact that cultivate and empower a vibrant teaching and learning community.
- Doctoral degree preferred along with significant experience in steering high impact teaching and learning initiatives in a highly collaborative matrixed university environment.
We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.
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