Director of Academic Technology

The IT Academic Technology Department at St. Catherine University invites applications for a full-time Director of Academic Technology.

Position Summary

The IT Academic Technology Department supports academic platforms and technology which is critical for faculty, staff, and students. Our team ensures that faculty have the tools, resources and knowledge to effectively teach in online and hybrid environments. The Director of Academic Technology will adopt, implement and support all academic technologies, using best practice tools and techniques in quality instructional design. This role consults as a subject matter expert in instructional design, trains faculty, and manages projects that support and enhance the university’s academic programs and student engagement. The Director leads the Academic Technology Team and collaborates with other IT staff and university departments to guide instructional technology strategy that meets the changing technical needs of digital and online learning environments in higher education.

Responsibilities:

• Lead Instructional Design Services through establishing and rolling out course design standards, methodologies, and tools aligned to quality standards for each course modality including face to face, hybrid, and online.

• Create systematic design processes to guide faculty, staff or subject matter experts through outcome and best-practice course design, especially focused on digital materials for all course formats (face-to-face, hybrid, and online) ·

• Design Best Practice Review processes to guide teams, programs and departments in the implementation of Best Practices to enhance instructional quality and student experiences, especially within hybrid and online programs/courses

• Provide academic technology support, training and consultation via monitoring the timely attention to tickets directed to the Academic Technology Team, the Academic Media Technology group, and the Clinical Tracking & other Administrative System services

• Coordinate similar technology needs across academic departments to consolidate and standardize the set of tools/software being used

• Lead planning and execution of academic tool pilot projects, including obtaining feedback from end-users, so informed decisions can be made.

• Manage team members who are the Primary Administrators of the academic technology systems which are central to the digital and online instructional environment, ensuring the availability and functionality of these tools and systems.

• Participate in IT Governance along with the IT leadership team representing the portfolio of Academic Technologies, the workload of the team, and the interests of specific University audience groups.

• Identify and create faculty/staff development strategies to build strong participation for faculty/staff development opportunities offered through Academic Technology.

• Lead the creation of programs that offer recognition of faculty efforts to increase their skills in the area of best practices for online instruction and the effective use of technology.

• Lead design efforts, in conjunction with the Director of Academic Technology, to create faculty development offerings.

• Collaborate with others in I.T. to communicate the work of I.T. and Academic Technology via a variety of strategies, such as:

  • Posting announcements in the Brightspace News.

  • Contributing to the creation of an IT Newsletter.

• Manage financial processing of contracts, licensing agreements, and renewals for all software and systems used for academic needs by communicating with vendors, academic departments, and St. Kate’s Purchasing and the Business Offices.

• Review regularly and coordinate upgrades and/or replacements of current Academic Technology software and systems

• Participate in professional development activities that increase personal knowledge and skills in the areas of instructional design and academic technology for higher education

St. Catherine University in St. Paul/Minneapolis, Minnesota, is a comprehensive Catholic university and home to one of the nation’s largest colleges for women, with associate and graduate programs for all genders. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1905, the University integrates liberal arts and professional education within the Catholic traditions of intellectual inquiry and social teaching. Committed to excellence and opportunity, St. Catherine enrolls students in certificate, associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs in traditional day and evening/weekend/online formats.

Minimum Qualifications      

• Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology /Instructional Design /Performance Improvement or closely related field in Education.

• Eight years of instructional design experience.

• Five years of experience managing (or leading through project management) staff in achieving academic technology, distance learning and/or online initiatives.

• Mastery of best practices for the design of effective learner-centered digital instruction in online environments, both synchronous and asynchronous.

• Comprehension of the requirements and proficiency with the techniques for making digital materials accessible.

Preferred Qualifications       

• Proficiency in the application of quality criteria and rubrics for the effective design of hybrid and online courses and programs.

• A desire to mentor and manage staff to achieve a defined set of goals

• Experience with academic technologies including learner management systems and systems that provide: lecture capture/ recording systems, test security, video conferencing, anti-plagiarism protection, social discussion tools.

• Experience troubleshooting issues and solving complex problems impacting stakeholders throughout a business

We seek creative, adaptable staff who enjoy working in a university climate that promotes cultural diversity, multicultural understanding, and cultural fluency. Consistent with the university’s commitment to women, diversity and social justice, preference will be given to candidates who manifest these themes in their experience and service.

EEO Statement          

St. Catherine University is an equal opportunity employer. Our commitment to inclusion reflects the central value of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet to “love of neighbor without distinction” and provides a learning and working environment that is enriched by the diversity of all our members. Individuals of religious, racial, ethnic, gender identity, nation of origin, or disability groups that have traditionally had less representation in higher education are encouraged to apply. Should you need an interview accommodation please contact us at hr@stkate.edu or 651-690-6565.