Learning Specialist - Director of Learning Team

St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa invites applications for Director of the University's new Learning Team. St. Ambrose recently adopted a new university philosophy of learning that embraces a commitment to learning that is "clear, meaningful, practical, and just," and that encompasses, not only students, but all members of the university community. The new Learning Team Director will play an integral role in helping the university to authentically live out its philosophy of learning by developing, sustaining, and refining systematic opportunities for the professional development of faculty and staff to strengthen their ability to facilitate student learning across both face-to-face and online modalities.

The start date for this role is negotiable, but a preferred start date would be sometime in February or March of 2024.

The Learning Team Director will work with faculty and staff to assist and support them in reimagining learning environments and to understand, practice, and master a variety of best practices in facilitating student learning in both face-to-face and online environments. Examples of this work might include leading cohorts of faculty in redesigning courses and/or learning around deliberation and debate, project-based learning, team-based learning, and other forms of active and engaged learning. The Learning Team Director will cultivate faculty and staff champions to participate in this important work as well.

The Learning Team Director will work with other university decision makers to establish critical strategic and operational goals that continually improve student learning and the student learning experience in alignment with the university's mission and goals. The Director will provide institutional, departmental, and individual mentoring on learning strategies, philosophies, technology integration, assessment strategies, and other initiatives and work with departmental coordinators, chairs, deans, and those charged with assessing student learning to identify specific learning needs at the University, such as curriculum development and assessment processes. The Director will also develop and maintain processes for onboarding, training, and mentoring of new instructors within the university.

The successful candidate will

• Possess a doctoral degree in a relevant field, such as education, educational leadership, or related discipline and corresponding evidence of coursework and/or knowledge of online and in-person pedagogy and andragogy.
• Share evidence of successful experience as a faculty member in higher education particularly with respect to the successful design and facilitation of student learning.
• Possess strong leadership and administrative skills.
• Have extensive and diverse experiences utilizing evidence-based and innovative practices to facilitate student learning in both face to face and online environments.
• Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of pedagogical theories and practices, with the ability to provide for the mentoring and support of faculty members from a variety of disciplines in successfully translating this knowledge into productive practice.
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Possess an active record (or the promise and prospect thereof) of working collaboratively with faculty and staff in scholarship and research related to facilitating learning.
• Possess experience in managing budgets and resources effectively.

All applications must include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae (or resume), and the names and contact information (including phone numbers and email addresses) of three professional references. Original transcripts and background check will be required before the university makes an appointment.

Interested applicants should apply and submit their materials online at https://stambroseuniv.applicantlist.com. St. Ambrose reserves the right to modify all job postings and job descriptions. Review of applications will begin December 15, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.

St. Ambrose University is an independent, comprehensive, Catholic, and diocesan university firmly grounded in the liberal arts. The University is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment that recognizes and embraces diversity among students, faculty, and staff. The current enrollment of approximately 2,900 students includes 650 graduate students.

St. Ambrose University is an Equal Opportunity Employer welcoming and encouraging applications from members of underrepresented groups.

St. Ambrose University is located in Davenport, Iowa, a part of the Quad Cities metro region. The Quad Cities (which include Davenport, IA; Bettendorf, IA; Moline, IL; and Rock Island, IL), located on the Mississippi River, have a population of close to 400,000 and represent the second largest metro region in the state of Iowa. The University is within a three-hour drive of Chicago and a four-hour drive of St. Louis. EOE