Director, Student Writing Support (SWS)

This position is responsible for supervising the SWS staff unit vision and goals, conducting long-term planning, program development, evaluation and assessment, procurement and stewardship of resources to fulfill the SWS's mission of supporting students. This position reports to the Chair of the Department of Writing Studies.

The Director will lead Student Writing Support through a current transitional period of innovation and growth. Goals are:

• To support the visibility and accessibility of resources that improve and enhance the teaching of writing and development of writers on campus.
• To develop increased engagement by undergraduate students in the SWS programming through partnerships with WAC and FYW;
• To ensure programming responsive to and successful for students from diverse disciplinary, cultural, linguistic backgrounds and support a sense of belonging for undergraduate and graduate students through the high impact practice programs that support consultative practices around writing and peer writing support
• To design programming informed by current, relevant scholarship, ongoing technological advancements and their impact on writing and writing instruction, and UMN institutional data on student experience (e.g., SERU, academic performance data).

Job Duties

Supervisory and Administrative Responsibilities (25%)

• Supervise SWS administrator, Associate Director, and professional staff; provide coaching and mentoring and conduct performance appraisals (quarterly process)
• Develop a system by which Associate Director can provide regular coaching and written semesterly performance reviews for undergraduate and graduate consultants
• Oversee annual staffing plan that is within budget and is responsive to usage data and reflective of the overall goals/strategies established for the center.
• Oversee the establishment of job descriptions, performance standards for consultants and professional staff and conduct regular (semesterly for consultants; quarterly for professional staff) performance reviews
• Manage the development, planning, and overall administration of the SWS
• Serve as hiring authority consultants and technology consultants. Work closely with the SWS Administrator on HR matters.
• Oversee the SWS budget
• Oversee transition to a new scheduling platform and ongoing assessment of its efficacy
• Develop a cycle of recurring evaluation for the SWS to include data collection strategies that allow analysis of student usage and patterns (including modes) and support effective deployment of resources in support of impact on student engagement

Leadership (35%)

• In consultation with Department of Writing Studies, develop a plan that articulates the mission, vision, goals of SWS and outlines concrete goals for increasing visibility and usage, promoting engagement with SWS, and situating SWS as a critical campus leader in student writing experience and instruction
• Proactively build networks and partnership to support usage, impact, and innovations in SWS
• Develop a cycle of recurring evaluation for SWS to include data collection strategies that allow analysis of student usage and patterns (including modes) and support effective deployment of resources in support of impact on student engagement
• Represent SWS to stakeholders within and outside the University; serve on relevant University committees, boards, and councils to strengthen the connections between writing and learning across the campus; contribute to discussions involving strategic planning with the Department of Writing Studies and College of Liberal Arts.
• With Director of WAC and Director of FYW, initiate and build alliances, partnerships and working relationships with various constituents and stakeholder groups to advance the usage and impact of SWS and writing pedagogy
• Pursue revenue opportunities through grants and partnerships to support the SWS's mission and programs.
• Represent the SWS within the Department of Writing Studies and serve on the department's Executive Committee and other committees as appropriate. Contribute to discussions involving strategic planning with the Department of Writing Studies and College of Liberal Arts.
• With WAC and FYW, plan and host an annual event to support writing development and pedagogy on campus and to promote visibility of writing-related leadership and support

Research and Engagement (15%)

• Develop a longitudinal plan for conducting ongoing research related to writing SWSs, writing pedagogy, student writing support/development, and writing technologies include focus on analysis and assessment of diverse student populations and needs
• Establish and support collaborative research opportunities across SWS, WEC, and Writing Studies/FYW
• Produce and disseminate publications, reports, and presentations in peer-reviewed and high impact venues - specific expectations for annual publications and conferences will be set with Chair of Writing Studies
• Build visibility and leadership role of SWS and the UMN writing initiatives on campus and in relevant disciplinary and Big10 organizations

Teaching/Advising (15%)

• Teach 1-2 courses/year in Writing Studies
• Engage in teaching and advising in the Writing Studies Department, teaching will include 2 courses per year.
• Serve on RSTC graduate committees and/or mentor graduate students interested in research and scholarship involving SWS

Service and Other (10%)

• Department, University, Disciplinary/Professional service
• Participating in ongoing professional development

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience as consultant in a writing SWS
• Previous experience as a Associate Director of a Center for Writing/SWS
• Experience supervising employees
• Experience with strategic planning and program assessment to inform goals and support growth
• PhD in Writing Studies, Composition, Rhetoric, Technical & Professional Communication, or English and at least 8 years to include significant management experience
• A distinguished record of scholarship and engagement in field of Writing Pedagogy and/or consultant pedagogy
• Experience teaching writing and rhetoric courses, including experience working successfully in classrooms of students with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds
• Interest in serving on graduate committees in Writing Studies
• Experience planning, preparing, and monitoring budgets and/or grant funds
• Demonstrated commitment to improving equity, inclusion, and access
• Outstanding communication, organizational, and collaboration skills
• Excellent time management, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supervising, mentoring, and providing professional development for graduate students, part-time faculty, and professional staff
• Experience with public engagement and/or partnering in community-based settings
• Experience with academic technologies related to writing instruction, language learner support, and writing across the discipline
• Experience with the collection, analysis, and presentation of qualitative and quantitative data for various stakeholders

The Department of Writing Studies provides First-Year Writing courses required for all University students, a Bachelor of Science degree in Technical and Written Communication, an undergraduate certificate in Technical Communication, an MA degree and a doctorate degree in Rhetoric and Scientific & Technical Communication, and an MS degree in Scientific and Technical Communication. Student Writing Support is located in Writing Studies and provides writing support, including in person and online writing consultations, for all University students.

Pay Range: $85,000.00 - $100,000.00 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 100% Appointment

Position Type: 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

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given 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.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

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

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.

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