About the Job

The Director of Curriculum provides the institutional continuity and operational leadership for the
College of Liberal Arts’ undergraduate academic portfolio. Serving as the primary expert on curricular policy, the Director ensures that the college’s 150+ programs are high-quality, compliant, and fiscally sound. The Director serves as a strategic partner to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Undergraduate Education. The Director ensures long-term stability, continuity, and alignment with College and University policies to help guide collegiate leadership and faculty governance bodies. As the primary authority on curricular policy, the Director holds decision-making power over complex curricular exceptions and grievances, ensuring that institutional precedents are upheld and collegiate risk is mitigated.

The Director of Curriculum position calls for a transparent and confident leader with a positive attitude, commitment to integrity, exceptional work ethic, and enthusiasm for the undergraduate experience. The role requires deep understanding of faculty governance; strong collaboration and communication skills; strategic and operational expertise in curriculum management; and highly developed analytical abilities. The Director of Curriculum reports to the CLA Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Academic Affairs within the Office of Faculty and Academic Affairs.

Location and Work Environment: hybrid or in-person, at least 3 days in person; flexibility with schedule is required.

Primary Responsibilities:

Curricular Integrity, Leadership, and Compliance (50%)

• Establish and uphold rigorous standards for credit integrity across the College. Provide final executive review for the feasibility and regulatory alignment of all new degrees, certificates, and interdisciplinary credentials to ensure market-competitiveness and long-term institutional viability.
• Serve as the College-level policy and process authority over 30+ Departmental Undergraduate Directors and Curriculum Specialists in their work with curricular and instructional planning and vision.
• Serve as the College’s Chief Compliance Officer for academic policy, mitigating institutional risk by ensuring all 150+ programs adhere to HLC accreditation standards and University Senate policies.
• Act as the final functional authority for the College’s academic data integrity; establish and enforce the mandatory protocols that departments must follow for course coding, credit-hour compliance, and catalog accuracy to prevent state/federal audit failures.
• Steward the undergraduate curriculum lifecycle and provide high-level oversight of all course and program developments, ensuring they align with CLA’s long-term strategic vision and with University standards.
• Drive and coordinate the work of the CLA Course Review Committee and the Committee for Curriculum, Instruction, and Advising. Facilitate consultation between faculty, departments, governance committees, the CLA Assembly, the Provost’s Office, and the Board of Regents. Oversee governance workflows and ensure that faculty-led academic decisions are translated into actionable university policy and catalog data.
• Provide historical context and policy interpretation to the Associate Dean and faculty committees to ensure consistency across leadership transitions.
• Supervise the Associate Director of Curriculum and the Curriculum Administrator.

System Strategy and Innovation (25%)

• Independently develop predictive enrollment and instructional cost models to advise the
  Associate Dean and Chief Financial Officer on the long-term viability of academic units.
• Advise the Dean, Associate Deans, and CFO on the fiscal impact of curricular changes, including instructional costs, enrollment trends, course access and scheduling, and program viability.
• Design and oversee data collection strategies that inform academic program reviews and accreditation (HLC) reporting.
• Lead the continuous improvement of curricular workflows, implementing technology and policy solutions that reduce administrative burden for departments.
• Provide recommendations on market developments, enrollment trends, and issues affecting curriculum, including retention and graduation patterns, assessment of student learning outcomes, second language acquisition, and emerging learning technologies.

External Liaison and Partnership (25%)

• Serve as the college’s primary curricular liaison to the Offices of the Provost, Registrar,
  Undergraduate Education, Admissions, Learning Abroad Center, Academic Support Resources, and other campus partners to ensure accurate implementation of academic policies and curricular changes as well as course consultations.
• Serve as the college’s liaison to the GPS Alliance for the strategic oversight of CLA’s learning abroad portfolio, providing policy guidance for new program development and participating in high-level program reviews.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• BA/BS degree plus at least 8 years of relevant experience, or master’s degree plus at least 6 years of relevant experience
• 7 years of progressively responsible leadership in academic affairs or curriculum management.
• Ability to clearly convey complex ideas, policies, and data in written, spoken, and presentation formats to a range of audiences.
• Demonstrated experience navigating faculty governance and university-level academic policy.
• Supervisory experience with a focus on staff development and mentorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in a liberal arts or related discipline.
• Proven ability to lead through organizational change and faculty leadership transitions.
• College teaching experience in a liberal arts discipline.
• Experience with curriculum design and high-impact practices

About the Department

The Director of Curriculum in the College of Liberal Arts (CLA) at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities works within the Office of Academic Affairs to oversee collegewide curricular operations that are data-informed and aligned with CLA and University strategic priorities. The position supports the evolving learning needs of more than 13,000 undergraduate students. The Director of Curriculum leads a team of two full-time professional staff and provides indirect supervision and guidance to departmental undergraduate directors, curriculum specialists, and scheduling staff across more than 30 academic units. The office facilitates key collegiate governance committees and participates in University-level committees related to undergraduate curriculum, academic policy, and accreditation.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $95,000 – $120,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience 

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Job Code: 9742PD

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 have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

Please include a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references.

This position will remain open until filled.

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).