Associate Director of Learning Innovation with Technology

Suffolk University is a private, urban university located in the heart of downtown Boston. Our college green is the Boston Common and we are steps from dozens of historic sites including the Old State House, Faneuil Hall, City Hall and the Massachusetts State House. We have no real boundaries to our campus—Boston and Suffolk blend together.

Suffolk has been committed to creating an exceptional learning experience since 1906. Our vision is to be recognized as a dynamic institution that fosters engaged learning, rigorous scholarship, innovative thinking, and community collaboration across disciplines. We will ensure that Suffolk graduates are versatile and prepared for modern society and the new world market. We will provide rich curricula, experiential learning opportunities and professional mentoring through increased collaboration with alumni and community partners. We will recruit, mentor, and support a diverse faculty of teacher-scholars who are passionately committed to preparing our students to be leaders in the global community. We will inspire investment in a Suffolk community that is built on ethical, forward-thinking leadership, teamwork, and cooperation.

We compete for the best talent. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse community. We are actively seeking applicants from groups that might be under-represented because of race/color, gender, religion, real or perceived disability, national origin or LGBTQ status. As part of our commitment we encourage you to complete the demographic portion of the application in addition to submitting your cover letter and resume/CV as it will assist us in targeting our recruitment efforts.

Please note that Suffolk University conducts background checks as a condition of employment.

We are also committed to the well-being of our employees. Our terrific benefits package for benefits-eligible positions include, but are not limited to:

• Generous paid time-off programs and commitment to work-life balance
• Tuition free course benefits in the College of Arts and Sciences and in the Sawyer Business School for employees with additional tuition benefits for spouses, domestic partners, and children
• Top-notch well-being care available through Harvard Pilgrim Medical/Delta Dental and a Flexible Spending Account
• Pre-tax commuter benefit
• Employee Assistance Program that provides employees and their family members with initial assessment, referrals and short-term counseling for personal and work challenges
• Discounted home and auto insurance

Description

Suffolk University is excited to announce a newly defined position that will help us leverage current and emerging technologies in support of inclusive and equitable learning experiences for our diverse student population. We are searching for a new team member of our highly regarded Center for Teaching and Scholarly Excellence to help us envision how technology can enhance our traditional and evolving learning environments. This position offers the rare opportunity to lead a digital transformation to a new learning management system.

The Associate Director, Learning Innovation with Technology, leads the efforts to support, maintain, and improve the learning management system and other academic technology tools that contribute to innovative teaching and learning at Suffolk University. Reporting to the Director of the CTSE, the Associate Director, LIT, supports a growing and vibrant digital learning environment that enables and facilitates student-centered learning, fosters experiential learning activities, and implements digital resources that support the University’s strategic initiatives.

The Associate Director, LIT, with the assistance of a team of academic technologists, provides support for faculty and student use of University-wide teaching and learning applications; communicates and works with vendors; continually builds technical expertise; engages in professional growth directly related to emerging technologies designed to foster student learning; and partners with stakeholders across the University. The successful candidate will have the rare opportunity to lead a key academic digital transformation initiative through the implementation of a new University-wide Learning Management System over the next two years.

This is the lead position in the Academic Technology Group responsible for providing expert technical knowledge, outstanding client service, leadership, and frontline management of the team. This is a critical position supporting the learning management system, academic technologies, and faculty of all three schools.

Primary/Principal Responsibilities:

LMS and Academic Technology Administration (45%)
Oversee and manage the digital learning environment; in particular the learning management system (currently Blackboard Learn) and the integration of academic technology tools


• Evaluate approved academic technologies integrated within the LMS as well as those designated for specific programming throughout the University
• Work closely with campus partners such as Information Technology Services, the Registrar, and others to ensure the integration of the LMS and other essential technologies such as Colleague (transitioning to Workday Student)
• Develop and assess pilots for emerging hardware technologies


Academic Technology Support: (25%)
Provide a supportive structure that actively assists faculty, staff, and student use of academic technology tools including, but not limited to Blackboard, Panopto, Poll Everywhere, Zoom, Spatial/Oculus Quest, and hardware, such as tablets.


• Manage a team of academic technologists and create an environment where the team can creatively contribute to programming that supports student learning
• Support new and existing team members on the use of new products/procedures and assist them in the articulation of short and long-term goals that support the CTSE mission
• Partner with University departments such as Information Technology Services, the Registrar, Libraries, Student Affairs, Student Success and Deans’ Offices to implement and communicate about academic technology policies and tools
• Lead in the design, development, promotion, and facilitation of academic technology programming and resources
• Promote the development of innovative solutions to teaching and learning challenges
• Communicate with vendors and recommend academic technology upgrades and substitutes, as needed


Contributions to the CTSE and the University (20%)
Work closely with CTSE team members and act as the liaison between the CTSE and University partners.


• Attend team meetings, sponsored events, and advisory board meetings
• Maintain records, assess programming and faculty development efforts, and contribute to the annual report
• Engage in University events, committees, and other activities


Professional Growth: (10%)
Develop a plan for continuous growth by taking advantage of local workshops, seminars, and demonstrations; collaborating with colleagues at peer institutions; subscribing to professional listservs, and staying abreast of emerging teaching and learning technologies.

Requirements/Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:


• Master’s degree in Instructional Technology, Educational Technology, or related technical field
• Three years of experience working as a Learning Management System Administrator
• Experience working with higher education faculty in multiple learning environments (face-to-face, hybrid, remote, and online)
• Demonstrated knowledge of multiple computers operating system environments, platforms, and software application systems
• Knowledge of standards (i.e., IMS, SCORM, LTI) and their implementation
• Demonstrated success in collaborative environments
• Experience with researching, evaluating, installing/implementing software for innovative pilots
• Ability to work well independently, willingness to multitask and assist on a variety of academic technology issues, detail-oriented, excellent problem solver
• Enthusiasm and empathy for those who struggle to learn technological skills
• Solid written, verbal, and communication skills


Skills Desired:


• Experience working closely with or on a help/service desk and experience with service desk software systems, triage, issue resolution and reporting, and analytics.
• Skilled in building collaborative and productive partnerships with higher education faculty, students, and other administrative departments
• Experience with third-party publisher LMS plug-ins, video and multimedia production platforms, student response systems (web-based), course capture systems, web conferencing software, simulation environments, adaptive learning environments, Adobe Suite, and other academic software applications. Experience with AR/VR is a plus.
• Experience with student information systems (Ellucian, Workday) and classroom technologies, including exam security/proctoring, polling technologies, video platforms for capturing and storage
• Managing academic technology tools, including upgrades and vendor management, and relationship development
• Experience using and supporting accessible technologies, knowledge of online learning regulatory and compliance agency requirements including ADA, Section 508 compliance, FERPA, and other applicable laws, rules, and regulations related to online learning
• Maintain and execute the University’s learning management system (LMS) in accordance with the University’s strategic initiatives


Suffolk University does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, genetic information, or status as a veteran in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs, activities, or employment. Suffolk University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. The University is dedicated to the goal of building a diverse and inclusive faculty and staff that reflect the broad range of human experience who contribute to the robust exchange of ideas on campus, and who are committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment. We strongly encourage applications from groups historically marginalized or underrepresented because of race/color, gender, religious creed, disability, national origin, veteran status or LGBTQ status. Suffolk University is especially interested in candidates who, through their training, service and experience, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the University community.