University Ombuds

The Opportunity

The Role and Responsibilities

Operating within the principles of the International Ombuds Association (IOA) and the University of Virginia Ombuds Charter, the University Ombuds Office is a confidential and independent resource available to the university community to address issues in an informal and impartial manner. The Ombuds Office services include individual consultation, helping individuals navigate challenges and explore options, reviewing available informal and formal resolution options, providing conflict management coaching, facilitating conflict resolution in one-on-one and group settings through alternative dispute resolution methods, and educating the community on conflict resolution methods. The University Ombuds Office operates independently of other administrative structures to maintain impartiality and to better ensure confidentiality when collaborating across the university. As the leader of the University Ombuds Office, the University Ombuds provides thoughtful and strategic leadership to ensure the office adheres to the Ombuds principles and serves as a resource to help empower individuals to proactively address their conflicts and concerns in a positive, constructive manner.

As the designated dispute resolution practitioner for the university and as a practitioner of dispute resolution, the Ombuds serves as one of the university's primary resources to develop, guide, and coordinate conflict resolution efforts, and to educate and train others on alternative dispute resolution practices and facilitation skills. To this end, the Ombuds provides an invaluable resource to the university in increasing its collective understanding, development, and use of alternative resolution approaches and practices - both in offering and applying dispute resolution practices to facilitate resolution of specific conflicts, as well to build the competency of others within the university in their understanding and use of alternative resolution in a variety of settings.

The Ombuds leads the University Ombuds Office and supervises the UVA Health Ombuds (serving faculty, staff, and students within UVA Health entities) and the Program Coordinator. The office sits within the Division for Community Engagement and Equal Opportunity (DCEEO), reporting to the AVP for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (EOCR) for purposes of administrative and budgetary support. Crucially, however, the Ombuds is independent in their work and maintains as confidential all records and information with respect to services provided. While maintaining confidentiality of communications with inquirers, the Ombuds maintains direct lines of communication with university leadership to keep the university informed about the work and any patterns or systemic issues of concern. The University Ombuds Office Charter affirms the purpose of the office and its privileges, responsibilities and authority.

Key expectations and priorities for the role include:

Consultation and Facilitation

• Actively listen to visitor concerns during confidential consultations and employ a wide variety of problem-solving techniques to assist visitors, including helping to clarify problems, identifying and evaluating options, offering referrals to other resources as necessary, providing conflict management and other forms of coaching.
• Apply essential knowledge of, and experience with, university policies, procedures, and related process information, guidelines, state policies, and other potentially applicable sources of information in responding to and providing helpful information.
• Engage in informal information gathering when appropriate and only with the visitor's permission before proceeding, if necessary. Lead in-person and virtual informal mediation, facilitated dialogues, shuttle diplomacy and small-group facilitation requests by fostering constructive communication and guiding visitor(s) toward mutually acceptable resolutions; conduct formal mediation intake as requested.

Leadership and Supervision

• Provide strategic and thoughtful leadership to the Ombuds Office personnel.
• Represent the Ombuds Office throughout the university community and serve as a valuable resource to university leadership.
• Lead in the development of goals, strategy, and vision, and identify priorities for the office.
• Develop staff capacity to work together collaboratively and grow professionally; provide mentorship and guidance.
• Ensure appropriate practices and procedures are in place to meet the needs of the office, to monitor and track utilization and needs of constituents, and to ensure confidentiality is maintained.

Related Responsibilities

• Serve as a resource to the university in formulating, reviewing, or modifying policy and procedures, raising issues that might surface as a result of a gap between the stated goals of the institution and actual practice.
• Act as a liaison between individuals or groups and the university's administrative structure, serving as a communicator or informal facilitator, as appropriate, and providing upward feedback.
• Function as a sensor within the university community to identify problems or trends that affect the entire campus or significant parts of the community; if appropriate, recommend possible solutions and ways to address these concerns.
• Maintain active membership in relevant professional associations, such as the International Ombudsman Association, and engage in professional development opportunities.

Ideal Experience and Characteristics

• Master's degree required. Equivalent education and experience may substitute for all minimum qualifications.
• A minimum of five years of relevant experience utilizing alternative dispute resolution practices and skills in resolution of potential conflicts.
• A minimum of five years of professional work experience in areas of conflict resolution, as an Ombuds in a professional workplace, or in a closely related position in a university setting.
• Demonstrated experience leading an Ombuds Office in a large, complex organization, or an equivalent leadership experience.
• Understanding of the Standards of Practice as outlined by the International Ombudsman Association and ability to adhere to those standards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's or other advanced degree or advanced certificate in mediation, other conflict or dispute resolution, organizational psychology, higher education, counseling, or related fields.
• Licensure: IOA CO-OP (Certified Organizational Ombuds Practitioner) certification, OCP-Certified Organizational Ombuds certification or foundational training from IOA (e.g., Foundations of Organizational Ombuds Practice).
• Direct experience and advanced skillset in conflict management, mediation, and/or other alternative dispute resolution practices.
• Knowledge of UVA policies, higher education structures, and applicable legal frameworks.
• Experience working in and understanding the unique environments of a higher education institution.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible and adaptable, adjusting priorities and approaches as necessary in order to adapt to changing internal and external environments
• Membership in the International Ombuds Association or commitment to obtain membership.

To Apply or Nominate

UVA Executive Search Group (ESG), an internal search firm at the University of Virginia, is assisting in the recruitment of the University Ombuds. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to ESG Managing Director Nalini Turner at nms3bt@virginia.edu.

To apply, submit a letter of interest describing interest in UVA, entrepreneurship research, teaching, and public engagement and a CV via Workday. The search will be carried out with full confidentiality. Additional information can be found here.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.