Career Center

Department: WCAS Administration
Salary/Grade: EXS/8

The Assistant Director for Graduate Studies is an integral member of the Research Administration and Graduate Studies team in the Weinberg College Dean’s Office, serving as a connector between academic departments and programs, the Dean’s Office, and The Graduate School.  The Asst. Dir. is a mentor and resource to the College’s graduate program staff and provides critical advice regarding graduate programs and research appointments.  Responsibilities include:  

• Serve as the subject matter expert and primary contact for inquiries from Weinberg units regarding graduate student affairs and curricular proposals, research appointments, research compliance, and conference funding.  

• Train new Graduate Program Assistants and provide continuing guidance on funding and HR processes.  Work directly with faculty to clarify graduate funding, academic policy, and issues related to research appointments and both RCR and COI compliance. 

• Implement funding and admissions policy, working closely with TGS and the College, and coordinate master’s tuition revenue distribution. 

• Work directly with Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and the Weinberg Administrative Board on graduate course proposals, and the Associate Dean of Research on COI management, research appointment approval and policy implementation. 

• Monitor student funding, external award supplements, internal fellowships, advanced student funding, admission offers and allocations.   

• Develop and maintain working relationships with TGS, Payroll and HR, faculty and staff in all Weinberg graduate programs, Provost’s Office, Office for Research, COI Office, and the Office for Research Integrity. 

• Oversee and manage website content.   

Required Experience and Skills:

• At least five years’ experience in higher education 

• Previous experience in a role requiring training, coaching, and/or mentoring of colleagues 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills 

• Superior customer service skills and responsiveness 

• Ability to work independently 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree or the equivalent combination of experience, education and training 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of graduate program administration, including student funding processes 

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.
  

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About Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.

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