Academic Services Assistant Director

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

6d•$81,000 - $87,000

About The Position

The University of Washington School of Social Work (SSW) has an outstanding opportunity for an Assistant Director for Masters in Social Work (MSW) Part‑Time Program position. This full-time position will support the 2026 launch of the online degree option and provide ongoing leadership and management for the part-time program options. The Masters of Social Work (MSW) program at SSW is a fully accredited program designed to prepare graduates seeking to innovate, lead and practice in a multicultural world facing complex social challenges. At the University of Washington School of Social Work (SSW), we strive to maximize human welfare through education, research, and public service. We embrace our position of leadership in the field of social work and join in partnership with others in society committed to solving human problems in the twenty-first century. The Assistant Director for the MSW part-time programs is responsible for the day-to-day management of the UW School of Social Work part-time MSW program providing high-level administrative and strategic support to the faculty and staff who work in the MSW program and professional communication with community stakeholders who are engaged with the MSW program. We seek applicants for this position whose experiences have prepared them to fulfill our commitment to inclusion and have given them the confidence to fully engage with audiences from a wide spectrum of backgrounds. This position is supervised by and under the direction of, the MSW Program Director. Working in collaboration with the Assistant Director for Full‑Time Programs, the incumbent implements the strategic vision and operational leadership of the Part‑Time MSW degrees—including the new Online MSW launching in 2026 and the Evening MSW option.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Higher Education or Related field
Two years of work experience in: project or program management, event planning, higher education administration, and/or advising or student support.

Nice To Haves

Distance education experience
Demonstrated success in advising or supporting graduate students in their professional development.
Skills in Microsoft Excel, web-based content management systems, and other software programs that are used in the position.
Experience using Canvas or other learning management system programs, with a high aptitude for learning new programs and systems quickly.
Familiarity with holistic admissions processes.
Familiarity with UW graduate education systems, policies and processes.

Responsibilities

Anticipate and analyze emerging issues across pathways, ensuring academic structures, policies, and governance frameworks are fully enacted throughout the MSW curriculum.
Analyze, recommend, refine, and operationalize policies and procedures that strengthen program operations and uphold accreditation and academic integrity standards.
Chair the MSW Program Committee (PC): convene monthly meetings, ensure required membership and participation, establish agendas, steward decision‑making processes, and disseminate committee actions.
Convene quarterly meetings with Online MSW faculty and course leads to evaluate curricula, address instructional needs, and ensure alignment with established learning outcomes.
Evaluate, recommend, to program leadership, and operationalize ad hoc processes for evaluations of core and specialized curricula, synthesizing results to inform continuous program improvement.
Engage proactively with online students through the Canvas hub; collaborate with Student Services to address program‑wide student needs.
Manage and reconcile the MSW Part‑Time Program Operations Budget; develop analytic reports for the Program Director; and contribute to financial planning in collaboration with SSW finance staff.
Supervise, train, and direct student employees in executing program activities aligned with strategic priorities articulated by the Program Director.
Develop, operationalize, and track action plans resulting from Program Committee decisions, leadership directives, and specialized workgroups.
Steward curricular proposals through all review stages, including presenting to students and faculty and submitting final materials to the Graduate School.
Ensure program compliance with CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards; serve as the primary contact for faculty and staff conducting competency assessments in part‑time MSW courses.
Develop and implement for approval of program leadership, student‑focused programming in collaboration with School‑wide student engagement units.
Advance recruitment strategies to attract a broad and representative applicant pool, working closely with the Office of Student Experience and faculty.
Represent the MSW Program on campus‑wide committees, workgroups, and initiatives as assigned by program leadership.
Contribute leadership to ad hoc committees charged with enhancing MSW program design and the student experience, as required by program leadership.
Oversee curricular updates for the Online MSW in partnership with Continuum College, ensuring rigorous academic quality and timely revisions.
Direct collaboration with instructional designers at Continuum College and the School of Social Work to guide online course development and refinement.
Recruit and vet qualified instructional personnel for MSW courses in partnership with the Program Director and Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs.
Lead the annual MSW student poll process to determine elective interests; analyze findings to inform curricular planning and faculty workload projections.
Manage the annual exit survey process, including data collection, analysis, and presentation to program leadership to guide evidence‑based improvements.
Design, implement, and manage student‑centered programming and major program events (Orientation, Graduation, Prospective Student Days), ensuring a cohesive, high‑quality student experience.
Develop and disseminate program communications and policy updates for students and faculty.
Maintain authoritative oversight of MSW content on the School’s website, developing updates in alignment with SSW communications staff and program leadership.
Oversee and approve all edits and revisions to the MSW Program Manual, ensuring accuracy and alignment with evolving policies.
Serve on the Admissions Committee to evaluate applications; co‑lead policy updates with the Director of Admissions, MSW Program Director, and Graduate School.
Serve on the Scholarship Committee to help ensure equitable and transparent distribution of financial awards.
Provide expert academic advising to MSW students in online and part‑time pathways, addressing academic planning, professional development, and potential barriers to student success.
Monitor and track student progression alongside the Program Director, Assistant Dean of Field Education, and Student Services; identify emerging risks and implement targeted interventions.
Evaluate and enhance the social and emotional learning environment; design strategies that strengthen student engagement and well‑being.
Lead, organize, and facilitate specialization‑related information sessions and orientations in partnership with Specialization Chairs.
Facilitate quarterly advising forums with specialization faculty to ensure students receive timely and accurate guidance.
Develop individualized academic plans for dual‑degree and transfer students in collaboration with Student Services.
Review and authorize course waiver requests based on prior learning or unique circumstances.
Other duties as assigned by the Program Director or School leadership to advance the mission and strategic plan of the School of Social Work.