Associate Provost of Contract Administration and Academic Services

Associate Provost of Contract Administration and Academic Services

Title Associate Provost of Contract Administration and Academic Services

Working Title

Working Title Associate Provost of Contract Administration and Academic Services

The Office of Contract Administration supports the academic mission of Chicago State University by fostering an environment in which faculty can thrive as educators, scholars, and contributors to the University’s commitment to student success, research, service, community engagement, leadership, entrepreneurship, and social justice. The office serves as a resource to academic leaders and faculty by ensuring the effective administration of faculty policies, collective bargaining agreements, and academic personnel processes.

The Associate Provost for Contract Administration is a senior academic leader who serves as a key advisor to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs on faculty affairs, academic personnel matters, and labor relations. Reporting directly to the Provost, the Associate Provost collaborates closely with university leadership, faculty, staff, and labor representatives to advance institutional priorities while fostering excellence, transparency, shared governance, and compliance with university policies, procedures, and collective bargaining agreements.

The Associate Provost for Contract Administration provides leadership in the interpretation, administration, and implementation of faculty contracts and personnel policies; supports effective labor-management relations; and helps ensure consistent and equitable application of institutional policies and practices. This position plays a critical role in promoting a positive academic work environment that supports faculty success and institutional effectiveness.

The individual appointed to this position shall maintain their tenured faculty status and academic rank throughout the administrative appointment. At the conclusion of the administrative assignment, the individual will return to a faculty position consistent with their rank and tenure status, retaining all rights, privileges, and responsibilities afforded under university policy and the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Job Description

• Serve as the Provost’s designee and principal advisor on matters related to faculty affairs, academic personnel policies, and contract administration.
• Represent the Office of the Provost in collective bargaining activities and collaborate closely with University Legal Affairs and Human Resources on faculty labor relations and contract interpretation.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and consultation to deans, department chairs, and faculty regarding academic personnel actions, including appointments, reappointments, promotion, tenure, evaluation, and faculty development.
• Lead the administration and implementation of faculty policies, procedures, and practices in accordance with collective bargaining agreements, university policies, and applicable regulations.
• Facilitate and provide guidance throughout faculty grievance and dispute resolution processes, ensuring consistency, fairness, due process, and adherence to contractual obligations, while maintaining the professional integrity of all parties involved.
• Monitor and provide oversight related to faculty workload assignments, course scheduling, instructional staffing, and related academic personnel matters.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives that support the goals and operations of the Division of Academic Affairs.
• In collaboration with CTRE , offer seminal faculty-focused initiatives including onboarding, orientation, mentoring, and professional development.
• Provide oversight for faculty-related policies contained within the Faculty Handbook and other academic governance documents approved by the Provost and President.
• Support the registrar’s office in implementing student focused scheduling policies including analyzing course needs and scheduling patterns.
• Collaborate with the Center for Teaching and Research Excellence to plan and execute new and returning faculty, advising, and chair on-boarding and training including developing peer mentoring for new full-time and adjunct faculty.
• Oversee faculty-focused initiatives including faculty recognition programs, emeriti engagement, and efforts to recruit and retain a diverse and talented faculty workforce.
• Provide leadership and coordination support for Academic Affairs compliance reporting obligations to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), including co-authoring required reports in collaboration with the Associate Provost for Academic Innovation and the Associate Provost for Student Success and Student Affairs.
• Be the primary Academic Affairs contact for Intercollegiate Athletics for transcript evaluations and course scheduling needs
• Serve on the Student Petition Committee, as well as other university committees, task forces, and leadership councils as assigned by the Provost.
• Support strategic initiatives and special projects within Academic Affairs that contribute to faculty success, institutional effectiveness, and student achievement.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Provost, consistent with the scope, level, and classification of this position

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., or terminal degree appropriate to the discipline) from an accredited institution.
• Tenured faculty member at the rank of Full Professor.
• Demonstrated record of successful academic leadership and administrative experience in higher education.
• Significant experience with faculty affairs, academic personnel processes, and contract administration.
• Knowledge of collective bargaining, labor relations, faculty workload management, and grievance procedures.
• Demonstrated commitment to shared governance, academic excellence, and student success.
• Strong understanding of issues related to faculty recruitment, retention, promotion, tenure, and professional development.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable academic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a unionized higher education environment.
• Experience collaborating effectively across colleges, departments, and administrative units.
• Exceptional interpersonal, communication, conflict resolution, and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative teams, manage complex projects, and meet established timelines.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives that support faculty success and institutional goals.
• Experience supervising faculty development, teaching excellence, or academic support centers.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong leadership and organizational skills.
• Ability to navigate complex and sensitive personnel matters with discretion and professionalism.
• Ability to interpret and apply collective bargaining agreements, university policies, and academic regulations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to foster collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to advancing the mission, vision, and values of Chicago State University.

Additional Applicant Information

Physical Requirement/ Demands

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