Director, Think Tank

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Provide vision and leadership for the department. Coordinate strategic planning that involves all staff and ensure completion of department goals. Directly supervise and provide work direction for Associate Directors and admin support staff.
• Support ongoing learning and development of all professional staff. Coordinate and/or facilitate staff meetings, training, and professional development opportunities. Manage the creation and implementation of employee policies. Ensure the department's compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of quality training programs for graduate assistants and student workers, including but not limited to the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) certification and UMKC Supplemental Instruction (SI) certification.
• Oversee the design and implementation of academic support services that reflect student development & learning theory, current research, and best practices. Work with the entire Think Tank team to coordinate the efficient and effective delivery of academic support services.
• Ensure the provision of safe, accessible & inclusive learning environments for all students. Guide the staff in using strengths-based approaches and university procedures to address student conduct issues and safety concerns.
• Work with Think Tank staff and the Chief Retention Officer & Associate Vice Provost, SSRI to set ethical and transparent policies and procedures for programs and services.
• Assess the effectiveness of all programs and services in coordination with Think Tank staff. Work with the SSRI Central Office Assessment Team to design and implement departmental assessment efforts.
• Oversee partnerships between Think Tank and academic departments, colleges, and other campus partners. Foster and maintain collaborative relationships with campus colleagues to effectively support students.
• Serve as the department liaison to university units as well as local, state, and national agencies. Represent the department, division, and university within relevant professional associations that provide support networks and resources that will develop Think Tank's work.
• Serve as a member of the SSRI leadership team, participating in the strategic planning and decision-making for the division. Collaborate with SSRI colleagues to provide and streamline student success services. Support the division through relevant committee work.
• Manage department budget. Create staffing and funding plans, coordinate leadership team's involvement in budget management, and routinely review reports. Oversee the department's development initiatives; secure gifts and other funding sources to support the department's financial and programming goals.
• Facilitate the department's cooperation and collaboration with the SSRI Central Office teams: work with the Administrative Operations Manager to maintain Think Tank's fee-based services; work with the Communications & Marketing Team to implement the Think Tank marketing plan; work with the Tech Resources Team to maintain Think Tank's technology services.
• Prepare monthly, semester and annual utilization reports; prepare, monitor, and analyze all data; report trends and problems. Work with Think Tank staff and university colleagues to implement solutions to identified problems.
• Responsible for regularly communicating the progress, outcomes, and direction of work to the Chief Retention Officer & Associate Vice Provost, SSRI.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Thorough working knowledge of learning theory and best practices in postsecondary learning support.
• Knowledge of instructional strategies to promote learning.
• Knowledge and understanding of current research findings, ongoing research agendas, and legal precedents pertaining to learning assistance in postsecondary education.
• Knowledge of leadership, management, and supervision principles and practices.
• Demonstrated organizational skills, attention to detail, and high degree of openness to new approaches and new ideas.
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement educational programs and curriculum.
• Demonstrated ability and commitment to apply knowledge of best practices for inclusive student excellence to earning environments.
• Effective communication with a diverse campus and community, including strong consultative, collaborative and mediation skills; excellent presentation, public speaking and writing skills; proactive and responsive interpersonal skills.
• Knowledge of basic reading, writing, mathematics and science skills instruction at the postsecondary level.
• Understanding of scope, philosophy, and values of student success and retention and experience integrating them within the environment of learning support.
• Knowledge of FERPA and ethical principles in working with students.
• Familiarity with University of Arizona procedures and policies.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience AND minimum of 9 years related work experience, including 5 years of managerial experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience leading a team, project, program or function is required.

• Master's degree in related field.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a team of multi-disciplinary professionals.
• Demonstrated experience in developing, managing, and presenting budgets.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading, training, and developing individual staff members and large teams of support staff.
• Experience managing all aspects of learning support or student success programs including personnel, budget, partnerships, outreach, and assessment.