Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs

Position Summary The Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs (APFA) plays a key leadership role in advancing the academic mission of Sacred Heart University by supporting faculty development, success, and engagement. The APFA is responsible for fostering an inclusive academic environment, managing faculty processes, and ensuring compliance with university policies and best practices. This individual will work collaboratively with deans, department chairs, the Office of the Provost, and other academic and administrative leaders to enhance the faculty experience and support student success. Principal Duties & Responsibilities Faculty Recruitment, Retention, and Development: Lead the recruitment, onboarding, and retention efforts for faculty, including Faculty Convocation. Oversee faculty development initiatives, including mentorship, professional development, leadership programs, and support for early-career, mid-career, and senior faculty. Collaborate with deans and department chairs to develop and implement strategies for faculty success in teaching, research, and service. Promote a culture of continuous learning and professional growth through workshops, seminars, and other training programs, including the annual Faculty Institute.   Faculty Affairs and Governance: Ensure compliance with faculty policies related to appointments, evaluations, promotions, tenure, and other faculty-related processes. Provide oversight and support for faculty grievance procedures and conflict resolution. Facilitate regular updates to the faculty handbook, ensuring alignment with current practices, regulations, and strategic goals. Serve as a liaison between the administration and faculty governance bodies, fostering effective communication and collaboration.   Faculty Evaluation and Course Evaluations: Oversee the faculty evaluation process, ensuring consistent, fair, and transparent procedures for annual reviews, promotions, and tenure evaluations. Manage the administration of course evaluations, analyzing results and collaborating with academic leaders to utilize feedback for faculty development and teaching improvement. Ensure alignment of evaluation processes with university policies and strategic objectives, providing guidance and support to departments as needed.   Operations and Technology Platforms: Oversee daily operations related to faculty affairs, ensuring efficient and effective management of processes and procedures. Manage technology platforms that support faculty affairs operations, including systems for faculty evaluations, professional development, and other related processes. Collaborate with IT and other relevant departments to ensure faculty have access to the necessary tools and resources and address any issues related to platform usage or functionality. Supervise two staff who support faculty affairs.   Faculty Recognition and Awards: Coordinate university-level faculty recognition programs, awards, and honors, including nominations for external accolades. Collaborate with academic leaders to identify and support opportunities for faculty awards, fellowships, and grants.   Policy Development and Implementation: Assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies related to faculty affairs, ensuring alignment with the university’s mission and strategic plan. Stay informed about national trends, legal considerations, and best practices in faculty affairs, making recommendations for policy and process improvements.   Data Management and Reporting: Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of faculty-related data to inform decision-making, planning, and resource allocation. Prepare reports and presentations related to faculty demographics, recruitment, retention, performance, and other key indicators. Other duties as assigned.   Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Other Attributes Doctoral degree or equivalent in a relevant field. A minimum of 5-7 years of academic leadership experience, preferably in faculty affairs or a related area. Demonstrated experience in faculty recruitment, development, evaluation, and retention. Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and administration. Strategic thinker with a proven ability to develop and implement initiatives that support faculty success. Deep understanding of higher education policy, faculty governance, and academic administration. Data-driven decision-making skills and the ability to use data to inform policy and practice. Unusual Working Conditions Occasional nights or weekends.