About the Job

The Associate Director for Curriculum and Instruction is responsible for promoting and ensuring teaching, learning, assessment and instructional program excellence in the School of Music (SOM).

Duties include responsibility for managing, developing and implementing high-quality curriculum and instructional delivery, quality assurance programs and outcome assessments, and for the overall management of the unit’s five undergraduate majors, three undergraduate minors, two licensure and equivalency programs, and an academic graduate program.     

The Associate Director oversees the SOM Student Services personnel, day-to-day functions, operations, and budget management; ensures systems are in place to support undergraduate and graduate students; establishes policy and processes for curricular evaluation, planning and implementation; and ensures the delivery of effective and efficient academic advising.

This position is part of the senior leadership team and works closely with the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director of Graduate Studies, Chief of Staff, and Director. This position supervises the Assistant Director for Graduate Studies, Assistant Director for Recruiting, Student Services Executive Assistant, and graduate and undergraduate student workers.

This appointment is a Professional & Academic employee position and is 100% time over 12 months.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Student Services Operations – 30%

• Provide oversight and financial management for Student Services operations, which includes the welcome area and walk-in services.
• Direct delivery of service and address problems relating to undergraduate curriculum, advising, programming, policy, recruitment/promotion, admissions, student conduct and concerns, scholarships, faculty and instruction. 
• Oversight and knowledge required in graduate student policy, procedures, fellowships, admissions and the overall graduate student experience. 
• Hire, train, schedule, supervise, assign duties for staff members who work with undergraduate and graduate student services. Serves as a resource, trainer and programmatic lead to staff, including the AD Graduate Studies, AD for Admissions, Student Services Operations Specialist, and student workers. 
• Coach, develop, and provide strategic direction on workloads and outcomes. Demonstrate continuous improvement and instill a test-and-learn mentality within the team. 
• Manage scheduling, project prioritization, and performance reviews of full-time staff members
• Ensure all projects meet objectives and are completed on time, identifying and resolving barriers to meeting project objectives
• Establish metrics, measure results, and develop project reports to highlight successes and areas for improvements
• Responsible for a set of budget items related to recruitment, admissions and scholarship/fellowship awards, including planning, projecting and monitoring those resources. Monitor application fee revenue, forecast annual projections and budget expenses.

Curriculum Administration – 30% 

• Manage and collaborate with faculty, Director of Undergraduate Studies, Director, and associated staff on curricular review, planning, management, and improvement.
• Collaborate with graduate and undergraduate studies committees and other parties as needed to address and resolve curricular and instruction issues. This includes an eye toward budgetary/personnel impacts with proposed curriculum changes
• Review and refine course catalogs and offerings through collaboration with the curriculum committees.
• Serve as a resource to faculty on new course proposals and other curricular change processes, including submitting faculty course proposals in Coursedog and course scheduling in CCS (Collaborative Course Scheduling and Astra).
• Collaborate with the COS and Director to plan course offerings for each academic term while considering faculty teaching plans, undergraduate and graduate program needs, enrollment targets, and budget resources.
• Oversight for systems such as Studio Tracker to manage enrollment and forecast future studio needs.  Ensure the studio lesson tracker tool is current such that fiscal and payroll implications are accurate.

Undergraduate/Graduate Program Management – 20%

• Provide oversight for undergraduate advising and programming. 
• Develop and implement innovative student services initiatives such as events that support community building, and building resources that address needs of a diverse body of students.
• Oversee undergraduate advising communications including the Undergraduate Student Handbook, Graduate Student Handbook, and website content. Clarify, update, and develop policies and procedures when needed.
• Determine methods for and supervise communication of policies to students and campus professionals.
• Adjudicate academic exception requests/petitions from students regarding academic programs/policies
• Address issues and develop policies that affect undergraduate and graduate student recruitment, advising, retention, and progression. 
• Interpret school, college and university academic policies for SOM faculty and staff.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate the delivery of graduate student services, including the initiation of innovative approaches that continue to improve student services.
• Conduct Department of Health Services background search for students completing Music Therapy and/or Music Education practicum requirements as needed. 

Academic Advising and Student Services Delivery – 20%

• Undergraduate academic advising and student services delivery. Support unit success in providing appropriate and effective services to students–hold full responsibility for ensuring that students meet the standards, expectations and requirements for the major.
• Identify, create and develop service needs for SOM students to include advising, registration and internship policies and procedures, and create programming to maximize educational opportunities in the major. 
• Provide academic advising to five majors and three minors: conduct one-to-one advising sessions on a walk-in basis and by appointment; email/phone consultation, academic advising events, classroom presentations, and new student orientations. 
• Advise students through the process of submitting necessary paperwork, including navigating the Academic Progress Audit System and applying for graduation.
• Address and resolve registration matters, including issuing permission numbers, term activating students, and activating/deactivating holds on records. 
• Assess students’ progress toward program completion; audit students’ records; recommend course selections, including proper sequencing and prerequisites; and prepare academic plans to meet program requirements. 
• Advise students with special circumstances or requests, to include  academic or health accommodations and leaves of absence. Counsel students  experiencing academic or personal difficulty.
• Advise students financial support options and changes in their support packages. 
• Review and respond to student grievances. 
• Guide students in post-graduation planning.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications: 

• BA/BS with at least six years of relevant experience or Master’s degree plus at least four years of relevant experience. 
• Experience with budget and project management.
• Experience manipulating and reporting data. 
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with individuals and groups from a variety of different backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Advanced degree with 6 years administrative experience
• Collegiate knowledge of curriculum administration preferred
• Experience working with faculty, staff, students, and administrators
• Proven financial, administrative, operations, leadership, and supervision skills, with a collaborative management and work style.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with individuals and groups from a variety of different backgrounds.
• Experience with curriculum planning, course scheduling/staffing, relevant IT systems, and teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and communicate complex issues from multiple frames of reference and perspectives.
• Demonstrated success leading project teams through complex projects or initiatives.
• Experience and engagement with underrepresented populations.

About the Department

The School of Music has been an important part of the U of M since 1902, serving both music majors and students from the many diverse programs offered across our campus. Our distinguished alumni representing a wide range of states, provinces, and nations are making significant contributions to music and artistic life around the world as performers, educators, scholars, and therapists. The mission of the School of Music explicates our commitment to the highest level of excellence in scholarly, creative, and pedagogical endeavors, providing opportunities for quality artistic development, academic learning, and direct engagement with the Twin Cities community. Our faculty members are recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise in performance, scholarship, education, therapy, and creative studies.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $63,00 – $79,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience 

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment  (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and 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
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

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.

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

Diversity

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

Employment Requirements

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.

About the U of M

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation’s most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are 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).