Academic Program Director - Life Sciences

About the role

The USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences is seeking an Academic Program Director in the Academic Services Hub. The hub will provide staff support to approximately 36 departments across Dornsife, serving one division with varying numbers of departments.

Responsibilities

• Directly lead the academic program management, student support and instructional lab groups in the hub.
• Indirectly supervise the administrative/clerical group of the hub.
• Work collaboratively with the Senior Office Manager and Associate Dean of Academic Services to ensure effective hub management.
• Serve as the main point of contact for chairs.
• Identify needs and synthesize and implement solutions with hub staff.
• Facilitate the relationship between faculty and staff, focusing on workflows, processes, and procedures.
• Problem solve and critically analyze situations to meet departmental needs while advocating for staff.
• Engage in constructive feedback sessions and develop common goals and outcomes with critical stakeholders.
• Develop strong working relationships with staff and faculty, emphasizing trust, empathy, and direction.
• Partner with multiple constituencies including Dornsife Undergraduate Education, Office of Graduate and Professional Programs, Administration and Finance, and other central USC departments.
• Manage large teams with diverse functions.
• Navigate complex and dynamic environments requiring a collaborative approach to balance advocacy for departments, faculty, students, and staff.

Requirements

• 10+ years of experience in higher education, specifically working with academic departments.
• Experience working with instructional lab groups.
• Knowledge of the life sciences as an academic discipline.

Qualifications

• Master's degree.
• Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
• 7 years of combined experience/education as substitute for minimum work experience.
• Proven experience in management/leadership roles, overseeing staff and building relationships with domestic and international stakeholders.
• Experience resolving inquiries and complaints, and presenting information to varied audiences and maintaining confidentiality.
• Proven analytical skills, fluency in specialized areas, and excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills with attention to detail.
• Experience in higher education and/or customer service.
• Proven ability to plan, implement, coordinate, and organize program logistics.
• Demonstrated database/data entry experience.
• Proven project management and problem-solving skills, able to handle multiple timelines, changing priorities, and fluctuating workloads.

Skills

• Experience developing programs, partnerships, and funding sources.
• Proven track record of grant writing.
• Experience developing project ideas and collaborating with industry leaders, policy makers, and analysts in various academic fields.

Benefits

USC offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports employees and their families, including robust healthcare options, retirement plans with employer contributions, and tuition benefits for employees and their dependents.