Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Writing Program Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Writing Program Supervisor oversees the design, delivery, assessment, and continuous improvement of institutional writing and composition programs. This role is responsible for leading curriculum development, supervising part-time and full-time writing instructors, coordinating assessment of student learning outcomes, managing program schedules and budgets, supporting faculty development, and partnering with academic departments and student services to increase retention and student writing proficiency. The Writing Program Supervisor acts as the primary operational and instructional leader for the composition program and advances student success through evidence-based pedagogy, inclusive practices, and strategic planning.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior/Lead Writing Instructor or Composition Lecturer
Curriculum Coordinator or Instructional Designer (higher education)
Assistant Director / Program Coordinator for Composition

Advancement To:

Director of Writing Programs or Director of Composition
Chair of Department of English or Composition
Associate Dean, Academic Affairs or Director of First-Year Experience

Lateral Moves:

Director of Curriculum & Assessment
Instructional Designer for Academic Technology
Faculty Development Coordinator / Teaching & Learning Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead the full lifecycle of writing program curriculum: design, alignment to institutional learning outcomes, course sequencing, syllabus templates, and rubric standardization to ensure consistent, measurable student learning across sections.
Supervise and evaluate a mixed faculty corps (adjuncts, lecturers, GTAs, and full-time instructors), including hiring, onboarding, classroom observations, performance reviews, mentoring, and annual reappointment recommendations.
Develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive assessment plan for writing curricula that uses direct and indirect measures (rubric-based grading, common writing assessments, ePortfolios, pre/post-testing) to demonstrate learning gains and inform curricular improvements.
Coordinate scheduling, enrollment forecasting, and section allocation to meet institutional demand, maximize resource use, and ensure equitable access to writing courses for diverse student populations.
Manage the writing program budget: forecasting, allocations for adjunct pay, professional development, assessment resources, instructional materials, and minor capital needs; prepare budget justifications and reports for academic leadership.
Create and deliver targeted professional development and pedagogy workshops (inclusive teaching, active learning, writing-to-learn, assessment literacy, feedback practices) to build instructor effectiveness and improve student outcomes.
Oversee implementation and continuous improvement of learning technologies and course management systems (Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, LMS tools, Turnitin, ePortfolio platforms) to support online, hybrid, and face-to-face composition instruction.
Design and maintain instructor support materials: syllabi templates, grading rubrics, sample assignments, lesson plans, FAQ guides, and assessment blueprints to ensure curricular coherence and quality control.
Ensure program compliance with institutional policies and external accreditation standards; prepare documentation and evidence for program reviews, accreditation self-studies, and external audits.
Serve as the primary liaison between the writing program and academic departments (English, Communications, First-Year Experience), student services (tutoring centers, accessibility services), and institutional research to coordinate support and align goals.
Lead initiatives to integrate writing across the curriculum (WAC/WID), collaborate with faculty across disciplines to scaffold writing assignments, and support disciplinary writing instruction and assessment.
Implement data-informed strategies for improving retention, passing rates, and progression through writing sequences; analyze enrollment and outcome data to inform curricular or pedagogical changes.
Coordinate student-facing support such as writing center collaboration, supplemental instruction, placement testing, and orientation for students in the writing sequence.
Manage and adjudicate academic integrity and grading standardization issues related to writing assignments, ensuring fair and consistent application of policies.
Lead program marketing and student recruitment efforts for writing courses and workshops: create outreach materials, present at orientation events, and collaborate with admissions and advising for incoming students.
Oversee special initiatives and grants related to writing instruction — from proposal development and budget management to implementation, reporting, and dissemination of results.
Facilitate faculty search committees and contribute to hiring decisions for full-time and adjunct writing instructors, including writing job descriptions, screening candidates, facilitating interviews, and developing onboarding plans.
Coordinate annual program review cycles, compile assessment reports, draft action plans, and track implementation of recommendations to maintain continuous improvement and institutional accountability.
Drive equity-minded curriculum and pedagogy: implement culturally responsive teaching practices, monitor equity gaps in outcomes, and design interventions to support historically underserved student groups.
Manage scheduling and logistical operations for writing program events, workshops, placement exams, and capstone assessments; coordinate rooms, proctoring, staffing, and communications.
Serve on institutional committees related to teaching and learning, assessment, general education, or first-year experience to represent program priorities and partner on cross-campus initiatives.
Produce clear, timely reports and communications for stakeholders, including dean’s office, department chairs, faculty governance bodies, and external partners, synthesizing assessment data and program metrics into actionable recommendations.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc program analyses and exploratory data requests to inform strategic initiatives (enrollment trends, section cost analysis, pass rate correlations).
Contribute to development of institutional data strategy regarding student success metrics for writing competencies.
Collaborate with admissions, advising, and student success teams to translate student needs into program improvements and support services.
Participate in institutional committees and agile planning processes for academic initiatives and technology adoptions.
Mentor junior administrative staff and graduate assistants engaged in program coordination and assessment projects.
Represent the writing program at conferences and professional networks to share best practices and bring back innovations.
Coordinate community partnerships and service-learning collaborations that expand writing opportunities for students.
Advise student groups and host writing-focused outreach events, competitions, and showcases.
Support faculty in integrating accessibility and universal design principles into assignments and assessments.
Maintain program documentation, handbooks, and online resources for faculty and students.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Curriculum design and alignment: expertise in developing writing curricula, learning outcomes, syllabi, and rubrics aligned with institutional goals and accreditation standards.
Assessment and data analysis: experience with direct and indirect assessment methods, rubric-based scoring, longitudinal data tracking, and translating findings into program improvements.
Learning Management Systems (LMS): proficiency with Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, or similar platforms for course management, content deployment, and analytics.
ePortfolio and digital writing tools: familiarity with ePortfolios, Turnitin/feedback tools, Google Workspace/Microsoft 365 for collaborative writing.
Educational technology integration: experience implementing and evaluating edtech tools for writing instruction and assessment.
Budget and resource management: competency in developing and managing program budgets, forecasting adjunct costs, and making cost-effective instructional decisions.
Accreditation and program review: knowledge of accreditation processes, self-study documentation, and compliance reporting.
Grant writing and administration: ability to develop proposals, manage grants, and report outcomes for externally funded writing initiatives.
Placement and advising protocols: experience designing placement instruments and policies (guided self-placement, placement tests) and advising students in course selection.
Project management: proven ability to plan, execute, and evaluate multi-stakeholder projects (program launches, assessment cycles, professional development series).
Faculty hiring and evaluation: experience running searches, conducting classroom observations, and managing performance review processes.

Soft Skills

Leadership and team development: ability to inspire, mentor, and hold faculty accountable while fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented culture.
Clear written and oral communication: superior ability to write program reports, craft stakeholder-facing communications, and present data-driven recommendations.
Strategic thinking: capacity to translate assessment findings and institutional priorities into long-term program strategies.
Problem-solving and decision-making: adept at resolving scheduling, assessment, and staffing challenges with practical solutions.
Interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills: comfortable mediating faculty disputes, providing constructive feedback, and building consensus.
Cultural competence and equity-mindedness: commitment to inclusive pedagogy and reducing outcome disparities across diverse student populations.
Time management and organization: manage multiple projects, deadlines, and administrative responsibilities efficiently.
Change management: experience guiding faculty through pedagogical or curriculum changes with sensitivity and clarity.
Coaching and mentorship: ability to deliver actionable instructional feedback and foster professional growth.
Customer-service orientation: student-centered approach to designing programs and services that support learner success.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master’s degree in Rhetoric & Composition, English, Education, Applied Linguistics, or related field.

Preferred Education:

PhD in Rhetoric & Composition, English, Education Leadership, or equivalent terminal degree with substantial experience in postsecondary composition programs.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Rhetoric and Composition
English Literature or Composition
Applied Linguistics
Education / Curriculum & Instruction
Higher Education Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3–7 years of progressively responsible experience in postsecondary writing instruction, program coordination, or curriculum development; including at least 2 years in a supervisory or lead capacity.

Preferred:

5+ years leading composition programs or similar academic programs with documented experience in assessment, faculty supervision, budget management, and successful program improvement initiatives.