New England HERC

Applications submitted by Thursday, April 16, 2026 will receive priority consideration.

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks an Assistant Director, Operations and Part-Time Faculty Contracts.

Reporting to the Associate Provost, the Assistant Director, Operations and Part-Time Faculty Contracts, manages and administers key processes within Academic Affairs related to part-time faculty employment and union membership. In support of the daily operations, the Assistant Director develops and recommends administrative processes to ensure appropriate functioning and efficiencies.

The successful candidate will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions:

• Continuously assesses Academic Affairs' administrative systems and processes with consideration for accuracy, efficiency, improvement, and compliance.

• Administers part-time faculty payments, pay changes, and pay programs in alignment with the collective bargaining unit agreement.

• Troubleshoots and resolves part-time faculty pay issues, partnering with Payroll and Human Resources as needed, especially with the Director of Labor Relations.

• Updates part-time faculty salary administrative resources, including salary master sheet and tables.

• Issues new part-time faculty contracts and changes to existing contracts as needed.

• Continuously monitors changes to part-time faculty workload and other eligibility criteria to identify and administer Part-Time Faculty union membership.

• Proactively problem-solves and partners with Department Heads, Academic Administrators, and other campus constituents as needed to facilitate changes related to part-time faculty workload, mitigating risk by ensuring compliance with unions and minimizing disruption to the academic program.

• Partners with Human Resources to problem-solve and administer changes to part-time faculty status and benefits per policy and in alignment with the collective bargaining unit agreement.

• Reviews and approves, or redirects course forms, providing feedback as needed.

• Creates and develops new course tables for each academic year, liaising with departments, divisions, and the Registrar's office to obtain and refine information.

• Actively engages with Human Resources to review, test, implement, and audit part-time faculty employment changes before the start of each new academic year.

• Produces and delivers annual member status reporting in compliance with part-time faculty bargaining unit agreements and ad hoc reporting as requested.

• Maintains faculty employee files and documentation.

• In partnership with HR, verifies part-time faculty Faculty employment as requested.

Additional Functions:

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum of three years of administrative or operations experience, preferably supporting a higher education academic program or within a human resources-related function.

• Strong process orientation with analytical and risk management skills.

• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to appropriately navigate sensitive interactions and situations.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to understand, interpret, and apply institutional policies, contracts, and procedures appropriately and within compliance.

• Ability to appropriately handle sensitive and confidential information.

• Advanced Microsoft Office and Google Suite skills, general awareness of and sensitivity to graphic design software and tools, and proficiency with Apple systems.

• An aptitude for and interest in learning/utilizing new technologies.

• Requires aplomb and the ability to act in the College's best interest.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a high-impact, deadline-oriented environment where a high degree of confidentiality, attention to detail, accuracy, and ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously is required.

• Ability and desire to help foster a diverse community environment.

• Prior experience with current systems, including Coursedog and Workday, is preferred.

Union:

No

Work Schedule:

35 hours per week; 12 months per year

Employment Status:

Full-time; Exempt; Regular

Grade:

540EX

Work Modality

Hybrid Eligible

Documents Needed to Apply:

Resume (Required)

Cover Letter (Required)

Salary Grade Structure

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.