Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore Col... more details
Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425-acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.
Who We Are:
The Provost and Dean of the Faculty serves as the chief academic officer at Swarthmore College, an institution committed to fostering the academic achievement and creativity of learners of diverse backgrounds. Swarthmore’s faculty include over 190 tenure track scholars from around the world and 40+ full time instructional staff devoted to excellence in higher education. Central to Swarthmore’s mission, the Office of the Provost and Dean of the Faculty nurtures a long tradition of shared governance among faculty--often in consultation with administrators, staff, and students--to maintain and innovate an outstanding curriculum. The Provost and Dean of the Faculty oversees the academic departments and curriculum, the work of the Libraries, the Department of Physical Education and Athletics, Information Technology, the Office of Global Engagement, the Honors Program, the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility, and the Tri-Co Philly Program. Our faculty are teacher-scholars and are leaders in their respective areas of research. The Provost’s Office works to support them through administering programs that fund research, conference attendance and scholarly travel, and regular sabbatical leaves; the office also stewards programs intended to support faculty more broadly throughout their time at the college.
The opportunity:
The Office of the Provost seeks a seasoned professional academic administrator to support the overall operations of the academic portfolio. Reporting to the senior associate provost, the Assistant Provost (AP) will support the general academic administrative and business operations of the office and broader portfolio overall. The incumbent leads initiatives with a high level of independence and is called upon to represent the interests of the Provost’s Office to key stakeholders across the College. They must be able to cultivate and maintain strong professional relationships and must take initiative and work independently while being a congenial member of the Provost’s Office team and the broader college community. The incumbent will deal regularly with highly sensitive situations and privileged, confidential subject matter, which requires excellent personal judgment and a keen sense of professional discretion.
The AP has primary responsibility for 1) academic operational budgets and restricted funds, requiring a strong financial acumen, 2) leading and stewarding the effective business operations of the academic area, which requires understanding of data and systems, and 3) the management of space and resource allocation. Additional areas of responsibility and support may include the stewardship of academic personnel operations, faculty governance materials and committee support, among other areas.
Essential Responsibilities
Academic Budget
- Supports and advises the Provost and her staff in financial planning, policy development, and implementation; and human resources-related needs for faculty positions.
- Actively monitors the year to date expenditures within operational budgets and restricted funds in the academic portfolio, working with provost office staff, academic administrative support staff, and department chairs to ensure efficient stewardship of financial resources.
- Manages the operating budget, restricted and unrestricted gifts and endowed funding for the Provost’s Office and academic departments; acts/serves as consultant to academic divisions and faculty regarding funding resources.
Business and Administrative Operations
- Supports academic personnel administration as needed, including tracking and managing updates to policies and handbooks; supports faculty relations activities and the stewardship of faculty records.
- Ensures the overall functions and operations of the Provost’s Office run smoothly and efficiently, collaborating on business processes improvements and enterprise systems enhancements to support the faculty administrative and business operations of the portfolio.
- Leads and/or supports the development of new policies and programs in support of faculty and the academic area.
- Provide staffing to various faculty committees and/or meetings, generating meeting minutes, providing data analysis and operational support for committees, and steward records in accordance with record retention requirements.
Academic Spaces & Capital Needs
- Supports the provost and department/program chairs in the strategic allocation of academic spaces, including office and sabbatical swing space, research space, and other academic space and related capital needs.
- Liaises with facilities staff to support the process for maintenance and renewal of academic spaces, supports the provost in capital planning of academic spaces, and may assist with the faculty rental housing program.
Who you are:
A highly collaborative and seasoned academic affairs/faculty affairs professional with an interest in supporting highly talented and distinguished faculty. You are able to engage in strategic planning projects and are also willing to “roll up one’s sleeves” to complete related and necessary administrative tasks. You are able to think creatively and flexibly while also adhering to basic founding guidelines and practices when making decisions. You have managed multi-phased projects from inception to completion, you have built consensus among team members, and are able to lead through informal channels. You understand and have experience working within a highly matrixed organizational structure, are able to be a team player and collaborator, in addition to having the ability to work independently. You take initiative, are able to resolve conflict and deal with colleagues and constituents with compassion, and are able to exercise good judgment within a highly confidential, fast-paced, and dynamic office within an elite liberal arts institution.
What you bring:
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree with at least 5 years of experience in financial, budgeting, and data oversight or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
- Experience in higher education or a comparably complex organization.
- Knowledge of best practices in financial, budgeting, and data management.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Experience serving as a team lead and experience in human resource management or faculty affairs administration.
Preferred Qualifications
- Knowledge of higher education organizational structures and use of platforms such as Banner, Chrome River, or similar budgeting and data management systems.
What You Will Get:
You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.
We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with pay expectations, including a resume and cover letter, by July 19, 2024.
PA Criminal Required
Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.
Education Verification Required by Position
An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.
Review the 2024 Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.
Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook
Retirement Plans
Tuition Grant Program
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Paid Time Off (Staff)
Holiday Schedule
Swarthmore College actively seeks and welcomes applications from candidates with exceptional qualifications, particularly those with demonstrable commitments to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.