Director of Instructional Services

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Instructional Services provides strategic and operational leadership for the Department of Chemistry’s academic and undergraduate instructional services. Reporting to the Department Administrator, the director ensures the efficient, high-quality delivery of lecture and laboratory instruction; coordinates course scheduling, instructional staffing, TA assignments, accommodation logistics, instructional budgets, and curriculum-related administration; and supervises staff supporting undergraduate teaching. This is a regular, full-time, in-person position at the Seattle Campus. The director leads operations for the undergraduate instructional program, including lecture and laboratory support, course scheduling, instructional logistics, campus coordination, and resolution of course-delivery issues. The role supports the Undergraduate Education Committee, plans and supports Summer Quarter instruction, and oversees undergraduate events, awards management, and graduation ceremonies. The director supervises three FTE staff and coordinates the recruitment, assignment, onboarding, training, and scheduling of TAs and other instructional support personnel. The role also coordinates student accommodations and course access logistics, supports compliance with FERPA and University requirements, analyzes instructional data, prepares reports and recommendations, communicates operational matters, and serves as a liaison to campus and external partners. The department has approximately 45 faculty, 240 graduate students, 45 research associates, and 65 staff. Its undergraduate program serves approximately 800 majors, delivers more than 70,000 student credit hours annually, and awards over 400 degrees each year.

Requirements

Master’s degree in chemistry or a closely related field and two years of experience in a higher education instructional, laboratory, academic program management, or related setting; equivalent education and/or experience may substitute except where legal requirements apply.
Demonstrated experience coordinating complex instructional, operational, or academic program processes involving multiple stakeholders and competing deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, organize, and evaluate staff or instructional support personnel.
Demonstrated ability to handle confidential information with discretion and apply relevant policies, procedures, and compliance requirements, including FERPA.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in chemistry or a closely related field.
Thorough understanding of undergraduate science education, particularly laboratory instruction and high-enrollment lecture/laboratory course operations.
Experience managing course scheduling, TA assignments, curriculum administration, Summer Sessions planning, course fees, or instructional budgets.
Experience streamlining administrative processes through technology and data-informed decision-making.
Ability to anticipate, identify, and solve operational problems independently and collaboratively.
Excellent time-management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage priorities across multiple complex projects and stringent timelines.
Strong collaborative skills and ability to work effectively with faculty, staff, graduate students, TAs, undergraduate students, campus offices, and external partners.
Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex policies and operational decisions clearly and professionally.
Commitment to excellent customer service, inclusive communication, and respectful interaction with diverse groups.
Ability to handle senior-level confidential information with tact, judgment, discretion, and diplomacy.
Experience with standard office software, especially Word, Excel, and Access; experience with UW systems and courseware designed for academic instruction is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead operations for the Chemistry undergraduate instructional program, including lecture and laboratory support, course scheduling, instructional logistics, campus coordination, and resolution of course-delivery issues.
Coordinate curriculum administration and support the Undergraduate Education Committee by implementing decisions, assessing operational impacts, and anticipating needs for sections, TAs, rooms, equipment, materials, and temporary instructional appointments.
Plan and support Summer Quarter instruction; oversee undergraduate events, awards management, and graduation ceremonies.
Directly supervise three FTE staff, including assigning work, training, scheduling, approving leave, managing performance, and resolving workplace issues.
Determine quarterly TA needs and assign ASEs; recruit, screen, interview, and hire supplementary TAs, readers, graders, tutors, and other temporary instructional support personnel.
Coordinate TA orientation, training, onboarding, assignments, expectations, and schedule changes with graduate students, faculty, staff, and the Graduate Program Manager.
Coordinate with Disability Resources for Students, faculty, TAs, and staff to arrange course, laboratory, and examination accommodations, including scheduling and exam logistics.
Ensure adherence to FERPA and applicable University requirements; coordinate with advisors and campus partners to resolve course access, attendance, prerequisite, proctoring, and instructional logistics issues.
Analyze instructional data and trends, including enrollments, student credit hours, section demand, staffing, and resource utilization; prepare quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports and recommendations.
Communicate scheduling, staffing, curriculum, and operational matters to faculty, staff, and leadership; serve as liaison to campus, educational, community college, and university partners.
Assume other duties as requested by the Department Administrator, Chair, Associate Chair, or other departmental leadership.