Assistant Director, Graduate Programs

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building:
• Salary Range: $78,000 - $90,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs (ADGP), the Assistant Director of Graduate Programs will play a key role in organizing, planning, and executing administrative support for the Division of Academic Affairs in the School of Professional Studies (SPS) in the cross-disciplinary Master's Degree Programs.

The Assistant Director is responsible for a wide range of projects and administrative activities that support the operations and strategies of SPS' graduate program portfolio, such as the management of strategic initiatives and administrative projects, including the development and implementation of best practices and long-term strategies to ensure that quality and academic goals for both the Academic Affairs division and individual programs are being achieved; and new academic program implementation and existing program assessment and re-development. Additionally, the Assistant Director will support the ADGP, Associate Dean of Graduate Programs, and Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs to work with the program directors and administrative teams, and other relevant stakeholders to plan, evaluate, and optimize programs: strategize and manage the development of academic initiatives, act as cross-departmental planning liaison, identify and implement assessment and operational improvement processes and best practices, and support data-informed program and division planning.

Responsibilities

1. Academic Governance and Quality Assurance

• Working closely with the ADGP and key cross-departmental stakeholders, support the development and implementation of the annual and ad hoc operational, strategic planning and strategic review processes to ensure programs within the portfolio are optimized and are working effectively and efficiently toward continued academic excellence.
• Manage program assessment and optimization by assisting in the development of planning calendars, codifying processes, and best practices.
• Conduct assessment data analysis and visualization to extract and disseminate best practices to stakeholders in a digestible format.
• Manage implementation of the academic review process, working closely with graduate programs to collect data and develop reports, and plan and execute internal and external committee visits.
• Facilitate collection of programmatic artifacts for external and internal reviews, including Middle States accreditation, University-level reviews, and SPS internal audits.
• Manage the operational systems that support the Committee on Instruction (COI), including systems development and management, tracking and monitoring course proposals, syllabus submissions, and related documentation to ensure timely review and approval; liaise with Academic Program Liaisons, faculty developers, and Program Curriculum Committee members.

2. Academic Program Re-Development and New Program Implementation

• Working closely with the ADGP, support the academic program redevelopment and new program implementation pipeline by managing strategic projects, such as developing and deploying cross-functional planning schedules and data collection and analysis.
• Responsible for the comprehensive building of project plans inclusive of goals, objectives, timelines, and project scope in collaboration with high-level stakeholders.
• Facilitate communication between internal or external stakeholders, and senior leadership, providing regular updates, managing expectations, and addressing any concerns or issues raised by stakeholders.
• Assist in the identification of areas for programmatic and curricular improvement.

3. Program Portfolio Management & Support

• Partner with key stakeholders across the Division of Academic Affairs to develop and direct effective systems, practices, and administrative procedures within the portfolio while collaborating with other SPS units and University partners to devise solutions, implement processes, drive efficiencies across the organization, and support operational excellence.
• Work cross-departmentally to support the assessment, development, and maintenance of graduate program policy and procedure documents, best practices, and job aids.
• Act as liaison to Program Administration Working Group.
• Assist in developing and managing training and professional development activities for program administrators.
• Support the development and implementation of graduate program budget preparation and planning policies and best practices, clarifying the annual budget process and ensuring adherence throughout the year.
• Support curriculum-related activities, such as the comprehensive curriculum review process and coordination of the Course Planning Sheet (CPS) as needed.
• Establishing communication procedures for sharing information across programs, including goals, objectives, and KPIs.
• Ad hoc project participation and project management as additional needs are identified.

4. Other Administrative Functions

• Budgeting and Financial Oversight (ARC + Program Budgets)
• Working collaboratively with the Assistant Director of Academic Services, support the development and adherence to academic planning calendars.
• Liaison to Analytics and Academic Services to develop reports as needed or requested by academic programs
• May be responsible for supervising the work of one (1) or more employees

Performs other duties and special projects as assigned or requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent related experience required.
• 3 years of related experience.
• A resume and cover letter with salary requirements must be submitted for the applicant to be considered for the position.

Other Requirements

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Ability to determine a priority level for projects.
• Ability to work under pressure and deadlines and carry out multiple tasks and projects independently, with limited supervision.
• High level of project management competencies and an ability to successfully manage projects and initiatives to completion on a prescribed timeline.
• Attention to detail and accuracy.
• High level of proficiency with PC and Mac platforms, including the following programs: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, Zoom, Adobe, and others.
• Proficient in qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Track record of handling sensitive information with the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Strategic thinking to drive smooth & effective operational initiatives.
• A capacity to define, develop & drive operational procedures, policies & practices.
• Ability to take initiative, make decisions, and use sound judgment to effectively navigate the affairs of the unit with the highest degree of discretion & professionalism.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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