Department Chair, Marriage And Family Therapy

Institutional Overview

The Office of the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) oversees all academic and research endeavors at The Family Institute at Northwestern University (TFI), a collaborative effort between Northwestern University (NU) and TFI. Located in its building on the campus of Northwestern University, TFI has a 50-year history of specializing in systemically informed research, education, and clinical services for individuals, couples, and families. Through this unique partnership, researchers and faculty members are employees of TFI and hold ranked clinical faculty appointments at Northwestern University. TFI operates the Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies (CAPFS), an official center at Northwestern University in Weinberg College. All researchers submit their research proposals to the NU IRB through CAPFS. All graduate programs are operated in collaboration with The Graduate School at Northwestern. The Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Department Chair role is key to the mission and vision of CAPFS, working under the leadership of the CAO.

Position Overview

The MFT Department is a well-established, multisite COAMFTE-accredited program. The MFT Program offers studies in a brick-and-mortar site in Evanston on the NU campus. The program also offers studies on a digital site online. The Department Chair provides vision, leadership, and oversight to ensure the successful operation of both campuses and program. This includes maintaining a vision for continuous improvements in the program’s image and operations, helping the program to meet COAMFTE accreditation standards, managing faculty and staff, ensuring curriculum excellence, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive academic environment.

Primary Responsibilities

Program Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership for the department in alignment with TFI’s, CAPFS’s, and NU’s strategic goals.
• Ensure the program meets or exceeds COAMFTE accreditation standards and requirements.
• Work collaboratively and effectively with key stakeholders and various departments at TFI, Northwestern University and 2U (our online marketing and technology partner).

Faculty and Staff Management

• Oversee the recruitment, hiring, and evaluation of faculty, ensuring they match the staffing vision of TFI, NU, and accreditation bodies.
• Foster professional development opportunities for faculty to enhance teaching research and scholarship capabilities.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration across both campuses fostering a positive, collaborative, and inclusive employee culture and climate.

Curriculum Development

• Maintains a commitment to support Integrative Systemic Therapy as the central organizing perspective of the program.
• Oversee the development and revision of the program's curriculum to meet industry and accreditation standards.
• Evaluate and update course materials, instructional methods, and assessment techniques.
• Promote innovative teaching practices and the integration of technology into the curriculum.

Accreditation and Assessment

• Maintain COAMFTE accreditation by monitoring and ensuring compliance with standards.
• Develop and implement assessment methods to evaluate program outcomes and student learning.
• Collaborate with assessment committees to gather and analyze data for program improvement.

Student Support and Engagement

• Oversee initiatives to promote a positive and inclusive learning environment for students.
• Address student concerns and provide academic advising and mentorship.
• Organize departmental events, seminars, and workshops to enhance student engagement.

Budget, Data, and Resource Management

• Develop and manage the departmental budget, ensuring efficient resource allocation.
• Work with finance and academic administration teams to use data to make data driven decisions that enhance the operation, sustainability, and ultimate success of the program.
• Responsible for posing programmatic questions and analyzing data to improve the MFT program processes and meet department goals.
• Manage enrollment growth across both campuses.

Community Engagement

• Collaborate with local and national organizations to enhance networking opportunities for students and faculty.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare and submit reports as required by COAMFTE.
• Maintain accurate records of program activities, faculty accomplishments, and student achievements.

Other Job Responsibilities

• Continue their own scholarship by publishing and presenting at conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned by manager for business necessity.

Job Requirements

Summary of Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Demonstrates knowledge and experience in higher education, including teaching and administration.
• Demonstrates deep familiarity with COAMFTE accreditation standards and processes.
• Possesses qualities of strong and visionary leadership
• Demonstrates excellent communication and conflict-resolution skills.
• Has a solid background and skills in integrating diversity, equity, and inclusion principles in MFT education.
• Has a proven ability to manage budgets and resources effectively.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Holds a Doctoral degree, PhD or EdD, in the MFT field.
• Holds a scholarly track record consistent with the rank of Clinical Associate or Full Professor at Northwestern University
• Maintains an active license as a marriage and family therapist.

Physical and Mental Requirements

• Must be able to compose written reports clearly and effectively
• Must be able to be in a stationary position due to attention to computer screen
• The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• The ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer) to perform work-related duties
• Must be able to apply established protocols in a timely manner
• Must be able to determine solutions to problems
• Must be able to operate successfully while handling multiple projects

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Equal Opportunity Employer

The Family Institute is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, Veteran status, or any other protected class. We strive to create a working environment that is free of all forms of discrimination and one that promotes human dignity and mutual respect among all staff. We believe every member of our organization enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, to identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions.

If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, please direct your inquiries to hr@family-institute.org.

Compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: scope and responsibilities of the position; a candidate’s applicable work experience, key skills and qualifications, as well as internal and external market considerations. The pay range for this full-time exempt position is $162,000.00 - $198,000.00/year. The Family Institute provides competitive benefits, including health, a 403(b) retirement savings plan, generous time off, and professional development. For a more inclusive list of benefits, please visit our Careers page.