Faculty Development Specialist: Roles, Qualifications & Jobs

🎓 What is a Faculty Development Specialist?

A Faculty Development Specialist is a dedicated professional in higher education who focuses on enhancing the skills and effectiveness of faculty members. This role involves supporting instructors and professors in improving their teaching practices, research capabilities, and overall professional growth. Often referred to as a faculty developer, the specialist designs and delivers programs that address modern challenges like digital pedagogy and inclusive teaching. The meaning of this position centers on bridging the gap between traditional academic roles and contemporary educational demands, ensuring faculty can deliver high-quality instruction.

In essence, a Faculty Development Specialist acts as a consultant, trainer, and evaluator, helping institutions foster a culture of continuous improvement. For example, they might lead workshops on active learning techniques, which have been shown to boost student engagement by up to 20% according to studies from the POD Network in Higher Education.

Roles and Responsibilities

The day-to-day work of a Faculty Development Specialist is diverse and impactful. Primary responsibilities include:

• Developing and facilitating workshops on topics like curriculum design and assessment strategies.
• Providing individualized coaching to faculty on classroom innovations and grant writing.
• Conducting needs assessments to tailor programs to institutional goals.
• Collaborating with administrators to integrate faculty development into strategic plans.
• Evaluating program outcomes using metrics such as participant feedback and teaching observation scores.

These efforts contribute to better student success rates and faculty retention, making the role vital in universities worldwide.

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

To excel in Faculty Development Specialist jobs, candidates need a strong academic foundation. Required academic qualifications typically include a master's degree in higher education administration, instructional design, or a related field; a PhD is preferred for senior positions.

Research focus or expertise should emphasize pedagogy, educational psychology, or learning technologies. Preferred experience encompasses at least 3-5 years in teaching or academic support roles, with a record of publications in journals like To Improve the Academy or successful grants for educational projects.

Key skills and competencies include:

• Expertise in adult learning theories (andragogy).
• Proficiency in tools like learning management systems (e.g., Canvas or Moodle).
• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills for diverse audiences.
• Data analysis for program evaluation.
• Cultural competence for inclusive practices.

Actionable advice: Build your portfolio with evidence of workshops you've led and seek certifications from organizations like the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network.

History and Evolution of the Role

The Faculty Development Specialist position traces its roots to the 1960s in the United States, amid concerns over teaching quality in expanding universities. Early efforts focused on basic seminars, evolving in the 1980s with research on teaching excellence. By the 2000s, globalization and technology—such as online learning—expanded the scope to include leadership development and equity training. Today, in 2026, the role adapts to AI-driven tools and hybrid education models, as highlighted in recent higher education trends.

Faculty Development Specialist Opportunities in Antigua and Barbuda

In Antigua and Barbuda, higher education is centered around institutions like the Antigua State College and affiliations with the University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus. Faculty Development Specialists play a crucial role in elevating teaching standards in this developing context, where small class sizes demand innovative, student-centered approaches. Opportunities often arise through regional initiatives for quality assurance and teacher training, supporting national goals for educational advancement. With tourism-driven economy, specialists might focus on vocational integration in curricula.

Career Advice for Aspiring Faculty Development Specialists

To land Faculty Development Specialist jobs, network at conferences and gain experience as a teaching assistant. Update your academic CV to showcase measurable impacts, like improved course evaluations. Explore employer branding strategies to understand institutional needs. For broader opportunities, check higher ed jobs, university jobs, and higher ed career advice. Institutions seeking talent can post a job on platforms like AcademicJobs.com.