Assistant Director 1, Academic Programs Admin

Massachusetts Institute of Technology • Cambridge, MA

70d

About The Position

The Assistant Director 1, Academic Program Administrator for Political Science works closely with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), Admissions Chair (AC), and Department Head (DH) to administer all aspects of the Graduate Program. This includes advising students, coordinating admissions, implementing academic policies, and developing strategic goals. The role serves as a resource for students and faculty, acting as a liaison between the department and institute administrative offices. Responsibilities also include administering the graduate student admissions process, scheduling and attending admissions committee meetings, planning and implementing open houses, interfacing with the Slate team, and communicating with applicants. Additionally, the Assistant Director coordinates advisor assignments and orientation for new students, oversees all aspects of graduate student academic progress, including registration, grades, evaluations, general exams, colloquia, and thesis submission. The position also involves advising students on academic issues, updating the student handbook, preparing materials for and attending fall and spring grades meetings, and coordinating with the Office of Graduate Education (OGE) where further action is needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Four years of academic administration experience.
• A minimum of one year of supervisory experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Familiarity with academic programs and institutions.
• Discretion with confidential information/issues.
• Ability to problem solve and interact effectively with faculty, staff, and students.

Nice To Haves

• MIT experience.
• Knowledge of academic systems.
• Competence with MIT systems, such as SAP, GAP, WebSIS, Slate, or expertise with similar systems.

Responsibilities

• Administer all aspects of the Graduate Program, including advising students and coordinating admissions.
• Implement academic policies and develop strategic goals.
• Serve as a resource for students and faculty, acting as a liaison between the department and institute administrative offices.
• Administer the graduate student admissions process, including scheduling and attending admissions committee meetings.
• Plan and implement open houses and interface with the Slate team.
• Communicate with applicants regarding the admissions process.
• Coordinate advisor assignments and orientation for new students.
• Oversee all aspects of graduate student academic progress, including registration, grades, evaluations, general exams, colloquia, and thesis submission.
• Advise students on academic issues and act as a resource for students, faculty, and staff on the graduate program.
• Update the student handbook.
• Prepare materials for and attend fall and spring grades meetings.
• Prepare post-grades meeting letters and coordinate with the Office of Graduate Education (OGE) where further action is needed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees