Department Chair, Marriage and Family Therapy

Description

INSTITUTIONAL OVERVIEW 

The Office of the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) oversees all academic and research endeavors at The Family Institute at Northwestern University (TFI), a collaborative effort between Northwestern University (NU) and TFI. Located in its building on the campus of Northwestern University, TFI has a 50-year history of specializing in systemically informed research, education, and clinical services for individuals, couples, and families. Through this unique partnership, researchers and faculty members are employees of TFI and hold ranked clinical faculty appointments at Northwestern University. TFI operates the Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies (CAPFS), an official center at Northwestern University in Weinberg College. All researchers submit their research proposals to the NU IRB through CAPFS. All graduate programs are operated in collaboration with The Graduate School at Northwestern. The Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Department Chair role is key to the mission and vision of CAPFS, working under the leadership of the CAO.  

POSITION OVERVIEW: 

The MFT Department is a well-established, multisite COAMFTE-accredited program. The MFT Program offers studies in a brick-and-mortar site in Evanston on the NU campus.  The program also offers studies on a digital site online. The Department Chair provides vision, leadership, and oversight to ensure the successful operation of both campuses and program. This includes maintaining a vision for continuous improvements in the program’s image and operations, helping the program to meet COAMFTE accreditation standards, managing faculty and staff, ensuring curriculum excellence, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive academic environment.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Program Leadership: 

• Provide visionary leadership for the department in alignment with TFI’s, CAPFS’s, and NU’s strategic goals. 
• Ensure the program meets or exceeds COAMFTE accreditation standards and requirements. 
• Work collaboratively and effectively with key stakeholders and various departments at TFI, Northwestern University and 2U (our online marketing and technology partner). 

Faculty and Staff Management: 

• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and evaluation of faculty, ensuring they match the staffing vision of TFI, NU, and accreditation bodies.   
• Foster professional development opportunities for faculty to enhance teaching research and scholarship capabilities. 
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across both campuses fostering a positive, collaborative, and inclusive employee culture and climate.  

Curriculum Development: 

• Maintains a commitment to support Integrative Systemic Therapy as the central organizing perspective of the program. 
• Oversee the development and revision of the program's curriculum to meet industry and accreditation standards. 
• Evaluate and update course materials, instructional methods, and assessment techniques. 
• Promote innovative teaching practices and the integration of technology into the curriculum. 

Accreditation and Assessment: 

• Maintain COAMFTE accreditation by monitoring and ensuring compliance with standards. 
• Develop and implement assessment methods to evaluate program outcomes and student learning. 
• Collaborate with assessment committees to gather and analyze data for program improvement. 

Student Support and Engagement: 

• Oversee initiatives to promote a positive and inclusive learning environment for students. 
• Address student concerns and provide academic advising and mentorship. 
• Organize departmental events, seminars, and workshops to enhance student engagement. 

Budget, Data, and Resource Management: 

• Develop and manage the departmental budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation. 
• Work with finance and academic administration teams to use data to make data driven decisions that enhance the operation, sustainability, and ultimate success of the program. 
• Responsible for posing programmatic questions and analyzing data to improve the MFT program processes and meet department goals. 
• Manage enrollment growth across both campuses. 

Community Engagement: 

• Collaborate with local and national organizations to enhance networking opportunities for students and faculty. 

Reporting and Documentation: 

• Prepare and submit reports as required by COAMFTE. 
• Maintain accurate records of program activities, faculty accomplishments, and student achievements. 

Other Job Responsibilities: 

• Continue their own scho