The Department of English in the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Virginia seeks an Assistant Director of Creative Writing to serve as the program’s main administrator and operational center of a lively, close-knit community.
The Assistant Director supports both graduate and undergraduate programs, communicates deadlines and policies, manages challenges as they arise, and seeks opportunities for continuous improvement, ensuring all programs are delivered with exceptional student experience.
The Assistant Director also serves as both the Director of Graduate Admissions and Director of Graduate Studies for Creative Writing, overseeing the MFA application process, guiding MFA students through their curriculum, troubleshooting as needed, and interfacing with the Graduate School on matters of curricular planning and policy. The Assistant director may supervise staff dependent on departmental need.
This role is for you if you want to join a cohesive community and support an elite program because you believe wholeheartedly in the academic mission – teaching and learning. You are a go-getter, someone who gets things done by taking initiative and owning their responsibilities. You recognize that an exceptional student experience is the heartbeat of a great academic program and you take pride in your work.
What You Bring
- Deep familiarity with creative writing as a discipline; teaching experience a genuine plus
- Experience in higher education administration, with demonstrated leadership of academic programs at the graduate and/or undergraduate level
- The ability to work well with faculty and students
- Direct experience supporting graduate students through advising, admissions, onboarding, and milestone progression
- A student-centered orientation that extends across program types and levels — from undergraduate writing courses to MFA
- Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Oversee student services functions including onboarding, orientation, advising support, registration coordination, and milestone progression. Partner with faculty and staff leadership in curricular planning, course scheduling, to monitor student performance, engagement, and well-being, addressing concerns proactively and holistically.
- Manage daily program operations, including being central point of contact for students and faculty
- Oversee pathway through MFA, including orienting incoming students, providing regular instructional support to graduate student instructors, and coordinating MFA thesis process
- Manage MFA teaching assignments and undergraduate course offerings
- Provide operational continuity in the program, including maintaining knowledge of university policies and procedures
- Manage and track program expenditures and fund usage, in collaboration with Department Finance and Administration Manager
- Maintain the data infrastructure that supports the program’s operations and external identity
- Contribute to program strategy and long-term planning.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree
- 2+ years of experience in higher education.
Preferred Qualifications
- MFA or MA degree
- 5 years of relevant experience
- Experience working in a Creative Writing academic department
- Experience managing undergraduate and/or graduate programs.
The Assistant Director of Creative Writing will report to the Assistant Director of Academic Programs.
For additional information about the position, please contact Michele Jarman, Academic Recruiter.
This position is located in Charlottesville, VA.
Anticipated Hiring Range: $70,000 – 80,000 commensurate with education and experience. This is an Exempt level, benefited position. Click here for more information on the benefits at UVA.
Review of applications will begin after June 5, and the position is open until filled. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.
How to Apply
Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0083647. Complete an application with the following documents:
Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF. Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration. Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.
References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process, three are required.
For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesv... and https://embarkcva.com/.
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
