About the Job
Senior Advisor of Curriculum and Instruction
Overview
The Senior Advisor of Curriculum and Instruction is a member of the Leadership Minor professional staff team responsible for maintaining and assessing the overall curriculum of the Leadership Minor, a four course and one elective undergraduate academic minor. The Senior Advisor of Curriculum and Instruction also oversees co-curricular programming, provides some instructional oversight and teaches LEAD courses. This position is within the undergraduate Leadership Minor, which is a department in partnership between the Office of Student Affairs and Office of Undergraduate Education. Learn more about our department below. This role is expected to work in-person a minimum of 3 days per week. This role does not matriculate to a tenure-track position.
Duties And Responsibilities:
Curriculum Oversight (50%)
- Collaborate with Director and Associate Director of Operations to execute the vision, strategy, and direction of the Leadership Minor, with specific responsibilities for managing strategic plan objectives related to curriculum
- Manage the overall curriculum scaffolding of the Leadership Minor
- Develop a departmental curriculum assessment strategy to guide course, program and instructional improvement including finalizing program and course learning outcomes, developing and implementing a process to assess learning outcomes, and developing and implementing process to observe and provide feedback on instruction
- Collaborate with Level Leads (LEAD course curriculum coordinators) to develop and implement curriculum work, including facilitating regular Level Lead meetings
- Maintain institutional knowledge related to liberal education, undergraduate education, and curriculum administration tools such as CourseDog, providing guidance as needed to staff and instructors
- Assist Associate Director of Operations with understanding and implementing new Web Content Accessibility Guidelines across all digital materials including course Canvas sites
- Collaborate with Academic Systems Coordinator to maintain course catalog records
- Collaborate with Academic Systems Coordinator to manage approved electives and oversee exception requests
- Attend Council on Undergraduate Education (CUE) meetings and Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUGS) meetings, as needed
Instructional oversight (15%)
- Facilitate training and professional development for teaching staff (full-time and part-time), including annual August instructor training workshop
- Assist with training and development of Teaching Interns (part-time student employees)
- Collaborate with Associate Director of Operations, University Survey Assessment Services (USAS) and other relevant staff to develop and administer surveys (such as an End of Semester survey) or other evaluations
- Review instructional survey data (such as Student Rating of Teaching) and collaborate with Level Leads, instructors and staff to use data for ongoing improvement
Co-Curricular Programs Oversight (15%)
- Supervise part-time facilitators of departmental co-curricular programs (First Year Leadership Institute and Tom Burnett Leadership Program)
- Oversee curriculum for departmental co-curricular programs
- Collaborate with co-curricular program facilitators to review program goals, develop learning outcomes, update content, and maintain programs
- Assess co-curricular program learning outcomes and student learning, including developing and implementing a process to assess learning outcomes
- Explore student leadership development programming partnerships with other campus partners
Teaching (15%)
- Teach 1-2 Leadership Minor courses per year (including summer), including but not limited to engaging in class lecture, utilizing active learning methods, offering constructive feedback, coaching and grading student work, and working with and coaching a Teaching Intern.
- Utilize program curriculum resources (including syllabus, assignments, and Canvas Learning Management System) to create an accessible and interactive learning experience for students consistent with other sections of the course
- Maintain consistent and timely communication with students, including availability to meet outside of class (office hours)
- Provide accountability and coaching while supporting student development
- Utilize campus resources for student support and development
- Assist with curriculum and teaching assessment, including encouraging student and staff assessment participation
- Participate in departmental and course-specific instructor trainings and meetings
- Serve as mentor to new instructors, when needed
- Continue personal development within the field and practices of leadership, higher education, teaching and learning pedagogy and other expertise connected to departmental curriculum
- Meet Teaching Expectations as outlined in more detail at z.umn.edu/leadteachexp
Other Duties as assigned (10%)
- Attend and plan committee meetings, staff meetings, retreats, and Leadership Minor events such as annual or semesterly instructor meetings & graduation
- Assist with departmental evaluation & assessment efforts
- Participate in local, regional, and national leadership associations, initiatives, and conferences
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Essential Qualifications
- Advanced degree in relevant field, with at least 4 years of experience. (Relevant fields include in curriculum and instruction, organizational leadership, leadership studies, college student personnel, student development, higher education or a closely related field of studies)
- At least 3 years of teaching or training & development experience that is inclusive, interactive, accessible and equity-driven
- Experience with curriculum development and evaluation
- Experience providing strategic leadership in a complex environment
- Demonstrated skills of collaboration, facilitation, project management, interpersonal relationships and communication
- Knowledge of Leadership Studies theory and practice
- Knowledge of student development theory and practice
Preferred Qualifications:
- PhD or terminal degree
- College or university-level teaching experience
- Demonstrated success in teaching, learning, and developing individuals with diverse lived experiences.
- Experience studying or teaching about Leadership Studies or Organizational Leadership
- Demonstrated success supporting teaching and learning that is reflective of the communities it serves.
- Commitment to social change, student agency, and/or education as a liberatory practice
- Experience teaching about or addressing systemic power imbalances, identity and leadership
- Proficiency with Canvas Learning Management System (LMS)
About the Department
The University of Minnesota Leadership Minor is among the oldest and largest undergraduate leadership programs in the nation and we are celebrating our 25th anniversary this year!
The Leadership Minor is an undergraduate academic minor of four core courses and one elective course. The Leadership Minor supports students to explore multiple leadership frameworks, address systemic power imbalances, develop their leader identities, and build their toolbox for leading toward collective liberation.
The Leadership Minor’s strategic partnership within the University of Minnesota is core to its identity and mission. The conceptual idea to create the minor originated from an Office of Student Affairs (OSA) assessment of student needs and interests related to leadership development. Housed within the Office of Student Affairs, with the Office of Undergraduate Education as an academic partner, the Leadership Minor uniquely blends academic vigor and student development.
Learn more at www.lead.umn.edu
Pay and Benefits
Pay Range: $62,000 – $70,000, depending on education/qualifications/experience
Time Appointment Category: 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
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.
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.
Posting has the priority deadline of 5/19/25. Full application includes cover letter and resume. Questions about this position email Laura Wiesner, lwiesner@umn.edu
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).
