Contemplative Strategic Initiatives Director
- Employer
- University of Virginia
- Location
- Charlottesville, VA
View more
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
Working Title: Contemplative Strategic Initiatives Director
Position Type: University Managerial and Professional Staff
Department: Contemplative Sciences Center
Location: Charlottesville
Posting Date: 12-03-2018
Posting Summary:
The Contemplative Sciences Center (CSC) is hiring a Contemplative Strategic Initiatives Director. The mission of the CSC is to explore contemplative practices, values, ideas, and institutions historically and in contemporary times to better understand their diverse impacts, underlying mechanisms, and dynamic processes through analytical research and scholarship, as well as to help develop new applications and learning programs for their integration into varied sectors of our society in service of human flourishing. Our mandate is to pursue research, learning, and engagement related to contemplation and flourishing across all schools and organizational units of the University of Virginia, and to become national and international leaders in this rapidly growing field of activity.
This position will manage initiatives in the CSC that are focused on learning, research, and collaborative networking pertaining to contemplation and wellbeing which have national and international scope. The two initial priorities will be the Student Flourishing Initiative and the Contemplative Academic Network, which the position will manage in their planning and coordination in all aspects. The position will offer support as needed for other special initiatives of CSC, such as the Compassionate Schools Project and Contemplative University portal. The position will help provide strategic support in streamlining and improving operations in other parts of the center when the need for such help is determined by the Executive Director, and work with the Executive Director, Advancement Director, and other relevant faculty or staff in writing grant applications for funding. The position will also represent the Executive Director in various contexts when he is unavailable. The university-wide nature of this work will require the candidate develop and support the integration of these initiatives across all eleven schools. The national reach of these projects will also entail extensive interaction with institutions and organizations nationally and internationally.
A Bachelor's degree with at least seven years relevant experience in relationship to managing projects; experience using project management software to administer complex projects is required. Prior extensive experience in program management and administration is required. A successful candidate will be able to prioritize and manage multiple competing priorities, have exemplary written and verbal communication skills, have strong interpersonal skills, and thrive when working with many different people. An advanced degree is preferred. Experience working in higher education, experience with educational research, or experience with contemplation is preferred. Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of contemplative practices and studies, as well as knowledge of literature on wellbeing, or education research methods. Experience with project management software and communication tools desirable, as well as experience developing and maintaining workflow systems to manage complex projects.
This position has an initial appointment for a minimum of one year, continued employment is contingent upon the availability of funding and successful performance.
To apply, visit https://jobs.virginia.edu and search job posting number 0624567. Complete a staff application online and attach a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three references. The position will remain open until filled.
Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Ashley Cochran, Academic Recruiter at alc6dk@virginia.edu.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Excellent communication skills; ability to keep emotional balance in stressful situations; ability to lead complex initiatives; knowledge of higher education processes; knowledge of project management techniques and methods.
E-mail a Friend: jobs.virginia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=86129
PI105995551
Organization
In 1819, the University of Virginia established a new model for intellectual exchange and cross-disciplinary collaboration in higher education. Two hundred years later, as a major research institution, we continue to challenge conventions, lead with ingenuity and advance knowledge for the common good.
What began as an innovative idea has become one of the nation’s leading public research universities, with over 21,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UVA also has over 3,000 full-time faculty offering more than 400 degrees.
Each of the University’s eleven schools has its own distinctive mission, working together to garner consistently high rankings—including #2 Best Value Public College (Princeton Review, 2016), #3 Public University in the Nation (U.S. News & World Report, 2016), and #3 Best Value Among Public Colleges (Kiplinger’s, 2016).
As we invest in and strengthen our research capabilities, UVA seeks new faculty ready to uncover new insights, rewrite old rules and collaborate on intellectual discoveries.
RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS THAT CROSS DISCIPLINES
As an R1 institution, the University’s research centers, consortia and laboratories are on the leading edge of discovery and technology, offering collaborative spaces for students and faculty to solve global problems.
Our professors are recognized members of major national scholarly and professional organizations, including the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Our faculty’s engagement in interdisciplinary research is being facilitated by new research institutes specializing in everything from big data to brain functioning, and by cluster hires across schools.
NATIONALLY RANKED HEALTH SYSTEM
UVA is also home to a nationally renowned academic medical center and the UVA Health System, which serves a three-part mission to treat patients, conduct translational research and train medical practitioners in a wide variety of disciplines.
Established as the nation’s 10th medical school in 1825, the institution has since grown to include a 612-bed hospital and a Level I trauma center, nationally recognized cancer and heart centers, a Children’s Hospital, and primary and specialty clinics throughout Central Virginia.
The UVA Medical Center is consistently ranked among the nation’s best hospitals by the U.S. News & World Report magazine and has been named among the top 25 percent in seven specialties.
INSPIRING STUDENTS, INSPIRED TEACHING
The vast majority of UVA students come from the top 10% of their high school class, as well as from all 50 states, over 142 countries and a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. Despite their diversity, all UVA students share a love of learning and a drive to achieve.
One of the reasons students choose Virginia is our unique residential culture. At UVA, the community of students, faculty and staff personifies the Jeffersonian idea that living and learning are connected. The Academical Village was constructed to support a unique residential experience, with faculty living in the Pavilions, students occupying Lawn rooms and the world-famous Rotunda at its heart. The University’s residential culture continues to support this experience today—strengthened by students, faculty and staff rich in backgrounds, ideas and perspectives. Our unique culture is also paying dividends in innovation: UVA’s faculty have generated more than 130 patents since 2010.
Perhaps most importantly, faculty come to UVA knowing that instruction is as important as research, and they pride themselves on their many teaching awards. Our best professors look for ways to encourage, mentor and develop tomorrow’s leaders inside and outside the classroom.
LIFE IN CHARLOTTESVILLE
Living in Charlottesville you’ll find sophisticated restaurants, world-renowned wineries and breweries, cosmopolitan arts and music, friendly urban and suburban neighborhoods and a Piedmont landscape that has lured adventurous souls for centuries. No wonder the U.S. National Bureau of Economic Research named Charlottesville the “happiest city in America” in 2014.
In addition to UVA and its health system, several major employers have facilities in Charlottesville, including State Farm, Northrop Grumman, the U.S. Department of Defense, GE and others. Charlottesville is also becoming a center for innovative start-up businesses. The University also actively helps spouses and partners of faculty members build their networks and pursue employment opportunities with a wide variety of area employers.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, qualified individuals with disabilities are protected from discrimination and may be entitled to reasonable accommodations to assist in their pursuit of employment at the University. This includes assistance in completing the online job application as well as reasonable accommodations during the interview process. Please contact the UHR Service Center: 434.982.0123 orAskHR@virginia.edu to request assistance.
Get job alerts
Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.
Create alert