Assistant Director of Academic Affairs
Austin, Texas
Academics /
Full-time /
On-site
UATX is hiring a mission-driven, intellectually ambitious generalist to be its next Assistant Director of Academic Affairs. This is a unique chance to help build a university from scratch—shaping its academic core, forming partnerships, driving recruitment, and learning how great institutions are built.
We’re looking for a versatile academic builder—someone as committed to our mission as they are to fearless experimentation.
As Assistant Director, you will serve as a partner in the Provost’s Office and play a critical dual role in academic strategy, operations, and admissions. You’ll help build and refine the systems, processes, and programs that define UATX—working closely with the Associate Provost and the Academic Affairs team to deliver a world-class academic experience.
This is a role for a thinker and doer—part operator, part systems builder, part storyteller, part recruiter. You’ll also lead special projects from the Provost’s Office, including strategic partnerships, institutional assessment, accreditation readiness, and registrar systems.
Responsibilities & Requirements
- Academic Affairs (Approx. 50%)
- Oversee and execute day-to-day operations of undergraduate, graduate, and special academic programs
- Assist on curriculum planning, course scheduling, faculty support, and academic systems
- Coordinate academic calendar and ensure alignment with institutional goals
- Support strategic initiatives including new program development, assessment, and accreditation
- Partner with Communications on public-facing content
- Lead academic partnerships and projects
- Pilot and implement AI tools to streamline operations—e.g., class scheduling, student records, and internal communications
- Support faculty onboarding and manage academic policies and documentation
- Assist with registrar functions, data tracking, and institutional reporting
- Execute high-priority academic projects that require rapid learning and precision
- Admissions & Recruitment (Approx. 50%)
- Co-lead admissions strategy across undergraduate, graduate, and summer programs
- Oversee the full admissions cycle: marketing, application review, communications, and yield
- Develop and manage recruiting pipelines through partnerships with schools, counselors, enrichment programs, networks, and international institutions
- Represent UATX on campus and in the field—through events, school visits, webinars, and outreach campaigns
- Articulate the university’s mission and academic vision with clarity and inspiration
- Deploy AI-enhanced workflows for application decisioning, CRM management (Element451), and data-driven decision-making
- Collaborate with marketing and communications to align recruitment messaging
- Analyze admissions data to refine strategy, targeting, and applicant experience
- Help build scalable systems and documentation to support a growing admissions operation
- What We’re Looking For
- 0–5 years of experience in higher ed, admissions, tech, consulting, policy, or operations (or equivalent exposure)
- Strong alignment with UATX’s mission, values, and educational philosophy
- Deep grounding in the Western tradition and liberal education
- A nimble, action-oriented builder with startup instincts and a drive for institutional excellence
- Exceptional writing and communication skills; able to distill complexity across audiences
- Comfort with AI tools, data systems, and CRM platforms (especially Element451), and the ability to use them to improve real-world outcomes
- Strong organizational and systems-thinking skills; able to turn vision into structure and execution
- Track record of ownership, follow-through, and adaptability in fast-paced or ambiguous environments
- Entrepreneurial spirit, humility, and a hunger to learn
- Bachelor’s degree required; MA or PhD a plus
EEO / AA STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
UATX does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
