Director of Introductory Programming

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

21h

About The Position

The Director of Introductory Programming oversees the strategic integration of the Computer Sciences majors’ introductory programming sequence into the departmental curriculum. The role combines classroom instruction with curriculum development, instructional administration, and the creation of pedagogical and assessment tools and resources to support student learning. The Director supports Teaching Faculty and Professors in instructional roles and may manage instructional graduate students. The position provides instruction in the introductory programming sequence and serves as supervisor and instructor of record for the WES-CS program. It manages course logistics, including syllabi, Canvas courses, textbook resources, exams, grading, and incompletes. The Director also supports and mentors teaching assistants, peer mentors, and graders; contributes to program objectives and curriculum alignment; and coordinates curriculum design and instruction among instructors. This is a 100% Academic Staff appointment described as a 12-month, renewable, ongoing position. The starting salary is negotiable based on qualifications and experience. A Master's degree is required; a Ph.D. is preferred in Computer Sciences, Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field. Applicants who meet additional qualifications may be considered at the Teaching Faculty IV level.

Requirements

At least one year of college-level teaching experience in computer science or a related technical or scientific field.
Excellent classroom communication skills.
Proficiency with Java and/or Python programming languages.
Fundamental knowledge of introductory programming language curricula.
Master's degree required.
Successful applicants must be eligible to work in the United States by the effective appointment date, without requiring employer sponsorship.
Applicants for Teaching Faculty IV consideration must have two or more years of direct experience overseeing curriculum design, leading course programming, and advising on hiring and budgeting for instructional staff and support.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Computer Sciences, Education, Curriculum and Instruction, or a related field.
Familiarity with skills and strategies that help students succeed in large-scale courses.
Familiarity with online teaching tools and techniques for efficient organization, communication, and management in large-class environments.
Ability to coordinate assessments, student support, and instructional logistics.
Ability to develop and oversee structured lab sessions that ensure hands-on practice.
Ability to apply educational principles to align teaching with competency-based learning outcomes.
Willingness and ideas to adapt teaching to an AI environment.

Responsibilities

Provide classroom or online instruction, including grading, for a course in the introductory programming sequence; teach at least one course in the 12-month instructional cycle.
Serve as supervisor and instructor of record for the WES-CS program, manage undergraduate section leaders, and develop curriculum.
Manage administrative logistics for introductory sequence courses, including template syllabi and Canvas courses, textbook resources, exam and grading project management, and course incompletes.
Help supervise, instruct, and mentor teaching assistants, student peer mentors, and graders; screen or interview applicants for TA and grader positions and make hiring recommendations.
Assist in defining program objectives and aligning the introductory sequence with those objectives.
Coordinate curriculum design and instruction among instructors in the introductory sequence.
Design curriculum and instructional techniques and suggest effective instructional approaches for courses in the discipline.
Administer budgets and personnel for instructional grants and programs, as applicable.
Carry out program duties and supervise day-to-day activities of instructional support employees, as needed.
Develop instructional-development grant proposals and potentially serve as principal or co-principal investigator on grants to develop teaching methods.
Present evaluations of teaching methods and techniques to institutional and external audiences.
Develop and train faculty and instructional staff in teaching techniques and programs aligned with desired outcomes and established strategy.
Assess learner performance and prepare reports recommending instructional improvements.