Assistant Director, Academic Services & Instructional Design

Evanston, Illinois

Department: Education & Social Policy

Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Target hiring range for this position will be between $68,000 - $75,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data

The Assistant Director, Academic Services and Instructional Design manages and advances a portfolio of shared faculty and course services across SESP's master's and professional programs. The role combines expertise in instructional and learning experience design, instructional technologies, and faculty development with significant responsibility for the design and implementation of Academic Services operations and services that enable high-quality teaching and student learning experiences.

In partnership with the Director, the Assistant Director translates Academic Services priorities into effective services and initiatives, working with administrative staff and other cross-functional partners to manage and contribute directly to implementation. Responsibilities may span faculty onboarding, course management and preparation, faculty consultation and development, learning design and instructional technology, service and resource development, evaluation, and other evolving academic and instructional needs.

The Assistant Director works across functions and academic units to lead complex initiatives, identify shared needs and recurring challenges, and develop scalable approaches where appropriate. The role uses evidence and feedback to improve services and operations and make recommendations to the Director about opportunities to strengthen instructional quality, faculty experience, operational effectiveness, and student learning outcomes.

Please note:

Because SESP's MS programs regularly offer courses in the evening (6-9pm), the incumbent must be available to provide occasional evening support or facilitate sessions for faculty. Weekly on-campus days will be established to promote collaboration with faculty and staff, and adjustments will be made as needed to accommodate evening and weekend responsibilities that arise during an academic term. Occasional attendance at special evening or weekend events also is expected.

• Oversees and contributes to the day-to-day operations of Academic Services' offerings, coordinating with administrative staff to lead activities including the development and delivery of support plans, instructor and course readiness activities, communications, and related workflows.
• Collaborates with partners across programs to align instructional and operational preparation activities and resolve readiness issues and implementation challenges.
• Establishes and maintains practical follow-up, escalation, and communication processes for cross-unit instructional and operational issues.
• Manages and contributes directly to learning environment operations, including Canvas, instructional technologies, templates, and related course-preparation processes.
• Ensures recurring instructional processes and cross-functional handoffs are executed reliably.
• Partners with the Academic Services Director on designated operational matters, taking the lead as appropriate on translating strategic decisions into coordinated implementation.

• Consults with and supports faculty at various points in the teaching lifecycle, from onboarding and course preparation through delivery and post-course reflection, to facilitate effective instruction.
• Provides expertise and strategic guidance to faculty and academic program staff on instructional design, assessment…