Director, Office of Educational Design and Development

Vanderbilt University is seeking a leader to serve as the Director of the Office of Educational Design and Development (OEDD) in the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Education (OFAPE). It is an exciting time at Vanderbilt as the University officially welcomed C. Cybele Raver as its new Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs on July 1, 2021. Under the leadership of Provost Raver, the Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Education is leading bold new initiatives and strengthening existing programs. The Director reports directly to the newly created position of Assistant Provost for Advancement of Higher Education and serves as a member of the Vice Provost’s leadership team.

The Director directs the Office of Educational Design and Development. In that role, the Director leads the effort to develop programming, resources, and support for enhancing teaching effectiveness and to promote teaching innovations of Vanderbilt faculty and to promote student learning. The Director plays a central role advising the Vice Provost and supporting the Provost’s vision to fulfill the University’s educational mission.

The Office of for Faculty Affairs and Professional Education (OFAPE) in the Office of the Provost is led by the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Education. OFAPE exists to support and champion Vanderbilt faculty at every stage of their career and to promote and advise professional academic programs. Vanderbilt University has over 4,000 full-time faculty across ten schools and colleges. The OFAPE includes the Institute for Advancement of Higher Education, the Office of Academic Program Review, Assessment, & Accreditation, the Office of Educational Design & Development, the Office of Faculty Appointments, the Office of Faculty Development, the Office of Learning Innovation, and the Office of Professional Education. The OFAPE leadership team includes two associate provosts, two assistant provosts, two senior faculty fellows, and six directors.

Created by the University Provost following an external review of the University’s Center for Teaching and Office of Digital Education, the new Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education (AdvanceED) exists to promote cutting-edge innovations in higher education pedagogy and student experience in order to maximize the impact of new ideas on society.

The Institute provides university faculty development and training, optimizes student learning in all environments, drives technological and pedagogical innovation, and charts the course for a best-in-class future. The Institute includes the Office of Education Design and Development and the Office of Learning Innovation.

The Office of Educational Design and Development develops the next generation of great university teachers, leverages scholarship on student learning and faculty instruction to set forth best practices, and assesses and strengthens the quality of existing academic offerings. OEDD collaborates with other Provost offices to foster equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging in teaching and learning across campus. OEDD currently includes 10 professional staff who are broken into two teams -- an instructional design team and an educational development team. The OEDD also oversees the graduate teaching certificate program for the University.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the assistant provost for the advancement of higher education and director of learning innovation to develop a strategic plan for the new Institute for the Advancement of Higher Education. 
• Develop cutting edge programs in instructional design and teaching development with the goal of being a best-in-class hub for Vanderbilt teachers.
• Lead and inspire a talented, diverse, multi-level, and growing team of academic professionals.
• Review and assess existing OEDD programs in consultation with the vice provost, assistant provost, OEDD staff, and key stakeholders with the purpose of determining programs to expand, continue, adapt, or conclude.
• Consult and coordinate with faculty development leaders in the Office of the Provost and in Vanderbilt’s ten schools and colleges to strengthen instruction and academic programs.
• Partner with OFAPE senior faculty fellows to pilot new programs to strengthen teaching across the University.
• Support existing and future academic programs:
  • Offer confidential advice to the vice provost and assistant provost on ideas and innovation in education.
  • Work closely with the director of the Office of Academic Program Review, Assessment & Accreditation to support evaluation of academic programs and to inform changes in programs.
  • Provide program development resources and expertise to academic leaders.
  • Consult with departments across the university on curriculum design, writing assessment, and faculty development.
• Ensure the smooth and productive functioning of the office.
• Contribute to a love of teaching, learning, and collaborating to support a world-class university committed to discovery.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is required.
• A terminal degree, such a Ph.D., J.D., Ed.D., M.B.A., or M.F.A., from an accredited institution of higher education is required.
• At least 8 years of relevant experience.
• A proven record of effective leadership and management in the higher education setting.
• Evidence of exceptional judgment and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated capacity for change management and openness to new ideas and approaches.
• Proven ability to think strategically to manage multiple projects/initiatives with changing priorities and strict deadlines in a rapidly changing environment is necessary.
• Understanding of the nature of confidentiality and decision-making authority in an institution of higher education.
• Evidence of working with multiple diverse constituencies in a confident and supportive manner is necessary.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills, and the ability to articulate and present information to various and diverse audiences is necessary.
• Prior teaching experience.
• Prior experience in an R1 AAU institution.
• Prior utilization of multiple teaching modalities.

 
Review of applications, nominations, and expressions of interest will begin immediately and continue on a confidential basis until an appointment is made. Applicants should send a cover letter and resume or curriculum vitae. Nominations, applications, and inquiries should be submitted electronically below. 

Jeff Kessner is leading this search with Ivan Ceballos. 

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are.  We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.