Director, Interdisciplinary Faculty Affairs

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Occupational Summary

Reporting to the Vice Provost for Interdisciplinary Studies, the Director, Interdisciplinary Faculty Affairs serves as a strategic leader in developing and implementing faculty initiatives across Duke University's interdisciplinary institutes, initiatives, and centers (UICs). This role helps to shape Duke's interdisciplinary landscape by orchestrating faculty development throughout the academic’s lifecycle, from recruitment through retirement.  This position oversees faculty affairs for about 40 regular rank faculty and 50 non-regular rank faculty across a dozen units, plus another 100 faculty who have a secondary or joint appointment, all while fostering an extended community of practice across the university.

The position requires an entrepreneurial mindset to build and sustain innovative academic structures while ensuring operational clarity and a problem-solving ethos. This leader serves as a key architect in implementing strategic initiatives that advance Duke's interdisciplinary mission through partnerships across UICs and between UICs and schools, with particular emphasis on creating equitable, efficient, and sustainable processes that support faculty excellence.

Strategic Leadership & Core Responsibilities

Strategic Faculty Lifecycle Management (35%)

• Implement and coordinate comprehensive faculty development strategies across the academic lifecycle, working in partnership with the Vice Provost to execute strategic priorities
• Manage innovative approaches to faculty recruitment, retention, and advancement that align with Duke's commitment to excellence, fairness, and diversity
• Coordinate and oversee faculty hiring, renewals, promotions, and recognition programs according to established strategic frameworks
• Implement and maintain systematic approaches to faculty salary analysis, ensuring equity and market competitiveness
• Establish and manage processes for recognizing and celebrating faculty achievements and milestones
• Execute and maintain data-driven approaches to assess faculty engagement and success in interdisciplinary programs

Organizational Development & Innovation (25%)

• Drive the implementation of administrative frameworks and operational processes related to faculty affairs for new institutes and centers
• Lead the design and execution of streamlined faculty affairs workflows and systems that enhance efficiency while maintaining academic excellence
• Establish and normalize faculty search processes that promote both efficiency and equity across units
• Establish and normalize faculty onboarding processes that invest and result in faculty success

Community Building & Strategic Partnerships (20%)

• Foster an extended community of practice among Faculty Affairs professionals across Duke
• Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with school deans and senior associate deans, department chairs, and Provost Office leaders responsible for faculty affairs
• Serve as a key resource and mentor for Faculty Affairs staff across interdisciplinary units
• Build and sustain networks that facilitate cross-unit collaboration and knowledge sharing
• Partner with Provost-level faculty affairs on strategic initiatives
• Lead special projects and initiatives that advance the Office of the Provost's strategic priorities

Governance & Strategic Planning (20%)

• Guide the development and implementation of unit bylaws and governance structures, including any external advisory boards, faculty advisory committees, and faculty meetings
• Oversee logistical planning and implementation associated with UIC leadership appointments and reviews, including the formation of and staffing for faculty committees, engagement with search firms (where relevant), facilitation of candidate offers and maintenance strict confidentiality
• Provide counsel on complex negotiations between UIC directors and school leadership and shepherd associated MOUs between units
• Ensure alignment between administrative processes and academic mission
• Maintain strategic oversight of faculty data systems and analysis
• Provide strategic counsel on sensitive faculty matters requiring careful judgment

The above statements describe the strategic nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required. This role requires both creative, inclusive leadership and practical implementation skills to advance Duke's interdisciplinary mission.

Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred; Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of four years of progressive experience in faculty affairs or related field in higher education
• Demonstrated success in organizational development and strategic planning
• Track record of building and sustaining effective academic programs or initiatives
• Experience with faculty development, preferably in an interdisciplinary context

Strategic Capabilities

• Entrepreneurial mindset with ability to conceptualize and build new academic structures
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement innovative solutions to complex organizational challenges
• Demonstrated ability to effectively implement strategic initiatives while maintaining appropriate consultation with leadership
• Excellence in relationship building and ability to work effectively across organizational boundaries
• Strong analytical skills with ability to synthesize complex data for strategic decision-making
• Superior communication skills with ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Proven ability to lead change while maintaining confidentiality and trust
• Experience in developing and implementing equitable and inclusive practices
• Strategic thinking combined with strong operational execution capabilities

Qualifications

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age,color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation,or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes.To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Anticipated Pay Range:

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $61,465.00 to USD $105,523.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental careprograms, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at:https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and /or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation willbe provided by each hiring department.

Education

Work requires a Bachelors degree or equivalent. Master's degree inrelevant field preferred. Project management experience is required.

Experience

Work requires a min of four years progressive responsibility in development a nd special projects planning.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.