Director of Faculty Affairs

Job Summary :

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, the Director has strategic and operational responsibility for the day-to-day operations, strategy, and organization of faculty affairs.

In close collaboration with the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Department Chairs and Business Administrators, as well as the other associate deans and the director of DEI, the director of faculty affairs creates plans, policies, and processes in support of the administration of faculty affairs hiring and programs.

The Director works with the academic departments and also supervises a staff member who supports the processes within the faculty lifecycle, including recruitment and retention;

reappointment, promotion and tenure; governance and leadership; annual activity reporting; teaching assignments; leaves of absence, development and recognition; and retirement.

Specific Responsibilities :

Faculty Affairs

• Manages all faculty affairs processes supporting the continuum of the faculty lifecycle, including hiring and recruitment, onboarding, retention, reappointment, promotion, tenure, retirement, resignation, and recognition.
• Manages faculty annual activities including activity reporting; conflict of interest reporting and management; and leaves of absence.
• Conducts ad hoc analysis to support decision-making; oversees management of faculty records and tracking.
• Acts as a key liaison with the provost’s office faculty resource staff and serves on key faculty affairs committees.
• Oversees updating of weekly and monthly status reports, annual hiring plans, relevant data, and resolves appointment concerns.
• Assists the Associate Dean with faculty development and mentorship programming and implementation.
• Identifies and implements process improvement strategies to optimize faculty affairs workflow within the Dean’s Office and across the School.

Recommends use of technology to enhance processes.

Ensures compliance and best practices across academic departments in the handling of faculty appointments and searches.

Ensures training of staff involved in faculty affairs with regard to proper processes and related policies.

• Directs processes related to faculty governance, including alignment of department and program by-laws with the Faculty Handbook, and committee elections and appointments.
• Oversees administration of new Chairs’ and Directors’ orientation.
• Directs administration of Chair and Program Director nomination, selection and appointment.
• Performs related duties as required or assigned.

Staff and Management

• Manages one direct staff and coordinates throughout the school with other resources.
• Manages & integrates departmental efforts for faculty affairs administration.
• Provides faculty affairs administration training.
• Develops and mentors other administrative staff in faculty affairs administration.
• Has demonstrated competency in faculty tracking software and processes including annual reporting, faculty searches, and faculty leaves.
• Manages the Faculty Affairs budget. Creates and proposes the area budget on an annual basis. Provides approvals for financial transactions.

Consults with the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs on financial matters.

Serves as the primary resource for faculty affairs administration guidance for departmental staff.

Minimum Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Familiarity and demonstrated competency with faculty tracking software
• Excel, Word. PowerPoint, SharePoint, One Drive

Preferred Qualifications : (Education and experience)

A Master’s degree (MA / MS) in a relevant HR, business, or organization development discipline, or a related field, or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.

Preferred Competencies : (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

Experience with in-service faculty affairs software, currently Interfolio

Target hiring range for this position will be between $88,000-$105,000 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

Benefits :

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness :

Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.

We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior / adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development :

Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness.

More information can be found on the webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations.

We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.