Assistant Director, Academic Programs - Health & Kinesiology

About the Role

The Department of Health and Kinesiology (HK) in the College of Applied Health Sciences is one of the largest and most dynamic academic units at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, serving more than 1,900 undergraduate and graduate students across a diverse portfolio of degree programs, minors, and certificates. The Assistant Director plays a key leadership role in supporting HK’s academic operations and program coordination. This position serves as an operational lead responsible for integrating enrollment planning, course scheduling, instructional planning, program analytics, academic communication, minors, and student issue resolution across the department.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an operational lead for undergraduate and graduate academic programs.
• Assist the head and associate heads in visioning and leading new academic initiatives.
• Coordinate minors and certificates, as well as department focus areas.
• Lead marketing and communication efforts related to HK courses and faculty, and liaise with College marketing and communications teams.
• Analyze course enrollment trends and program data to inform class size and course section decisions.
• Provide data-informed recommendations to Associate Heads regarding instructional resource needs, including faculty and TAs.
• Coordinate course scheduling, instructional assignments, and projections, working closely with department course schedulers.
• Develop PowerPoint presentations and visual materials to communicate data findings and outcomes with faculty.
• Collaborate with college central units to ensure alignment between department and college-level functions.
• Serve as an escalation point for academic concerns and program-related issues.
• Coordinate with faculty and advisors to facilitate course assignments, timetable scheduling, and resolution of student concerns.
• Act as a liaison for Academic Affairs and program-related matters with the College.
• Serve as an ad hoc member of the Health and Kinesiology Educational Policy Committees.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of departmental academic operations and program coordination.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• A total of three (3) years (36 months) in education, training, and/or work experience in academic operations, program administration, and/or educational initiatives. (Note: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.)
• Demonstrated experience in higher education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education administration, educational leadership, health/kinesiology, public administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated project management, problem-solving, and relationship-building abilities.
• Experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Experience using data and analytics to support planning and decision-making.
• Experience collaborating effectively with faculty, advisors, administrators, students, and other partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, PowerPoint, and data-reporting tools.

Skills

• Knowledge of higher education academic policies, procedures, and program administration.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively convey information and collaborate with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and manage confidential information.
• Commitment to student success, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5003 - Program Director position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after the close of this search.

Pay

The previously determined salary range for this position is $65,000 - $75,000. The final salary offer will be determined through a thorough assessment of available market data, internal equity, candidate experience and qualifications, collective bargaining agreements, and budget constraints.

Benefits

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance.
• Life Insurance.
• Retirement Plan.
• Paid Time Off.
• Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.