Associate Director, Center for Teaching

Williams College, a private liberal arts college and the second-oldest institution of higher education in Massachusetts, is thrilled to announce a search for its next Associate Director of the Rice Center for Teaching.

The Associate Director serves as an experienced and thoughtful educational developer committed to helping Williams faculty grow as teachers. Working with the Director and other Rice Center staff including the Administrative Assistant and Faculty Fellows, the Associate Director identifies the key teaching needs of the faculty and collaborates on the implementation of programs, services, and initiatives that respond to those needs. The Associate Director remains up to date regarding research and innovations in teaching and learning, especially those most relevant to the context of a residential liberal arts college, and provides advice and support to faculty through programming and individual consultations. The Associate Director also oversees administrative functions of the Rice Center, such as supervising the Administrative Assistant, manages the Rice Center budget in consultation with the Director, consults with and advises (in-person and virtually) individual faculty who seek support for their teaching, attends established group and committee meetings to build connections, and engages with key campus partners to discuss and coordinate teaching and learning initiatives.

The Associate Director is an exciting, full-time, year-round, in-person administrative staff position that requires frequent interactions with staff and faculty colleagues throughout campus. The Associate Director reports to the Director of the Rice Center (a faculty member serving a three-year term) and works closely with other colleagues within the Rice Center, as well as colleagues in the Dean of Faculty’s Office and several other offices throughout campus.

The Rice Center for Teaching is responsible for helping a diverse group of faculty grow as teachers by offering a variety of programs and events, individual consultations and feedback, curated teaching resources, and other services. As such, the Center’s next Associate Director must have the capacity to build collaborative relationships with faculty and staff across the college; the ability to accurately gauge the wide-ranging interests and needs of the faculty; the ability to determine programming, marketing, and communication strategies that are likely to appeal to faculty throughout the academic year; an openness to and interest in many different teaching styles and approaches; and a commitment to supporting inclusive and accessible teaching practices. 

Responsibilities:

The Associate Director of the Rice Center for Teaching at Williams College will:

• Collaborate on Program Implementation:

  • Work with the Director and Faculty Fellows to plan and execute campus-wide programs, events, and initiatives, including designing opportunities for small, specialized faculty groups.

• Develop Communication Strategies:

  • Create marketing and communication plans tailored to the faculty academic calendar.

• Engage with Faculty and Partners:

  • Actively participate in Center events, workshops, and dinner series to gauge faculty interests and needs; regularly attend other campus events to maintain collegial relationships; and engage with key campus partners to coordinate teaching and learning initiatives.

• Provide Faculty Support:

  • Offer individual consultations and advice to faculty on teaching practices, including observing classes and providing feedback, and helping faculty gain expertise in areas like the science of learning.

• Stay Current in Educational Development:

  • Keep up-to-date with the broader field of educational development and scholarship related to teaching and learning in higher education.

• Manage Center Operations:

  • Oversee the Rice Center budget in consultation with the Director, supervise the Administrative Assistant and Student Fellows program, and contribute to the development and maintenance of the Center's website and book library.

Qualifications:

• Educational and Professional Experience:

  • Master's degree or equivalent is required.

  • 2-5 years of highly relevant experience in a facu