The Lead Instructor is a member of the faculty (with rank appropriate to the educational and professional background of the individual) who also holds an administrative appointment related to managing the faculty within a specific academic program or set of academic programs. With accountability for coaching and managing faculty, the Lead Instructor exemplifies teaching and student support strategies, while upholding faculty performance standards and student engagement policies (including those related to faculty presence, participation, feedback, and outreach). With responsibilities for teaching and instruction, the Lead Instructor provides meaningful student learning of the course and programmatic learning outcomes and proactively supports all facets of the learning environment. The Lead Instructor provides and champions education through Colorado Technical University’s Professional Learning Model that assists program graduates to fulfill the evolving needs of the marketplace.
The Lead Instructor has a normal course load each academic year to teach 2 courses (8 to 12 quarter hours) each quarter, with a total of 8 courses (32 to 48 quarter hours) per academic year. This allows the Lead Instructor to focus on faculty coaching, managing, and administrative responsibilities. The Lead Instructor successfully completes a minimum of 8 hours of training and professional development, following an appropriate plan during the academic year.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities Lead Faculty Performs as a Faculty Member
- Performs responsibilities (as a faculty member) as outlined in this job description and in accordance with the provisions of the Faculty Handbook (including faculty expectations) and the Colorado Technical University Employee Handbook.
- Participates in periodic and annual faculty evaluation requirements (including class observations) to provide a strong, student-focused educational environment through consistent adherence to student competencies, assessments, and pedagogy, in compliance with Colorado Technical University policies.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities Lead Faculty Performs as a Member of Faculty Management
- Performs responsibilities (as both a faculty member and as a Lead Instructor) as outlined in this job description and in accordance with the provisions of the Faculty Handbook and the Colorado Technical University Employee Handbook.
- Contributes to the new faculty onboarding and training process, including needs assessment, interviews of potential candidates (as applicable), and coaching, and mentoring.
- Coaches, manages, and inspires faculty through the instructional process, driving compliance with Colorado Technical University’s academic policies and procedures and striving to continuously improve the level of instructional expertise.
- Observes faculty, monitors applicable reports and dashboards, and reviews course elements to ensure quality of instruction and faculty activities meet Colorado Technical University’s faculty expectations and policy requirements.
- Reviews and provides feedback on faculty performance, including periodic performance reviews.
- Reviews student-based and other evaluation sources, shares evaluations with faculty, identifies opportunities for improvement, and works collaboratively to implement solutions.
- Reviews faculty loading and scheduling to ensure appropriate student/faculty ratios and facility utilization.
- Collaborates with academic personnel to develop a faculty pool with appropriate academic and professional qualifications.
- Provides support to faculty in times of need by professionally and expediently answering questions, addressing faculty issues, and resolving faculty complaints and appeals.
- Participates in the initial collection and periodic updates of all documentation required to meet accreditation and regulatory requirements for the faculty file.
- Provides support to students in times of need by professionally and expediently answering questions, addressing student issues, and resolving student complaints and appeals.
- Monitors faculty follow-up with students concerning missing work and/or poor academic progress, working with the Executive Program Director/Dean or Vice President for Academic Operations on Colorado Technical University’s student retention and success initiatives.
- Participates in surfacing needs, specifying outcomes, identifying alternatives, and implementing technology and support innovations.
- Participates in surfacing needs, specifying outcomes, identifying content, and reviewing completed faculty training and professional development modules (including in-service activities) related to annual plan completion.
- Attends required University and departmental meetings, including graduation ceremonies, Doctoral Symposia (as applicable), and other formal functions as appropriate (subject to resource availability).
- Participates in standing committees of the University and department (e.g., Program Committee, IRB, etc.) based on University and departmental needs.
- Participates in the design and/or development of new or significantly revised programs and/or courses based on departmental need and in consultation with the pertinent University Dean and Executive Program Director.
- Works with University and department administration to implement academic policies, procedures, educational policies, and assessment plans that are compliant with HLC and programmatic accreditation standards and state agency regulations.
- Communicates consistently and effectively with the department administration, campus administration (if applicable), students, faculty colleagues, and other Colorado Technical University staff and administration.
- For campus-based Lead Instructor, maintains membership in relevant professional and community organizations, with attendance and participation at meetings, seminars, and events as appropriate to enhance the reputation of the University and enable pertinent student participation in community service projects.
- Provides flexibility in scheduling, including evenings and weekends to meet student and business requirements.
- Performs other duties as assigned
External Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Competencies
- Willingness and demonstrated ability to support and foster student and faculty achievement at all levels, rather than simply evaluate the completion of requirements and/or responsibilities.
- Interpersonal and relationship building skills.
- Project and program management skills with a focus on successful completion.
- Focus on data and outcome metrics to gauge success and highlight areas for improvement.
- Drive for and pursuit of innovation.
- Strong leadership and strategic planning skills.
- Strong analytical and change management skills.
- Experience with computerized learning management systems and education technology tools strongly preferred.
- Proficiency with standard office applications on personal computers.
- Ability to read, comprehend, interpret, and implement accreditation criteria, state agency regulations, and academic policies and procedures.
- Ability to effectively present information to students, faculty colleagues, and academic and campus leaders.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and successfully meet deadlines.
- Ability to work effectively, cooperatively, and flexibly in a team environment.
- Ability to physically work in the United States while performing all responsibilities of the position for Colorado Technical University.
Qualifications
- Minimum: Master's Degree in Communications or subfield; or out of field graduate degree with 18+ graduate semester hours in field/subfield; or out of field graduate degree with 5+ years' documented professional experience in field/subfield.
- Preferred: Doctorate Degree in Communications or subfield; 3+ years’ documented professional experience in field/subfield; and 3+ years’ documented experience teaching adult, nontraditional, and Active Duty Military/Veteran student learners in a higher education, setting.
- 3 to 5 years of experience working with adult, non-traditional, and Active Duty Military/Veteran student learners in a higher education setting.
- 5 years teaching experience at the collegiate level, with diverse online and blended experiences a plus. 5 years of professional experience in an organizational setting relevant to Colorado Technical University’s programs preferred, with a diverse set of industry, academic, strategic, and personnel experiences a plus.
- 1 to 3 years of progressive experience managing or coordinating teams required, including hiring, support, evaluation, and development responsibilities, with online, blended, and/or campus-based faculty management experience a plus.
- Experience working with a variety of functional areas within an organization, with experience in higher education and student success initiatives, a plus.
- Experience with working with students early in their academic journey, a plus