Director, Academic Initiatives

Weekly work hours: 40. FLSA status: Exempt. Work location: on-site; after six months, some positions may be eligible to apply for a hybrid arrangement based on job responsibilities, operational needs, supervisor approval, and Dallas College policy. Academic (Faculty) positions require an on-campus presence, even when teaching online courses, in accordance with state law.

About the role

The Director, Academic Initiatives provides senior operational, financial, and programmatic leadership for assigned academic initiatives and functional areas within Academic Initiatives. This role translates divisional strategy into execution, including the development, management, and monitoring of the departmental operating budget. The Senior Director leads day-to-day operations, supervises teams, and ensures initiatives are delivered efficiently, responsibly, and in alignment with institutional priorities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and day-to-day management of assigned academic initiatives, programs, and functional areas.
• Translate divisional strategy and institutional priorities into operational plans, timelines, and deliverables.
• Develop, manage, and monitor the departmental operating budget in alignment with approved priorities and fiscal requirements.
• Analyze budget performance, forecast resource needs, and recommend adjustments to support effective utilization of funds.
• Manage and supervise managers, staff, and project teams, ensuring performance accountability and professional development.
• Oversee initiative-level staffing, vendor relationships, and expenditures within assigned areas.
• Partner with academic and administrative stakeholders to implement initiatives aligned with divisional and institutional goals.
• Monitor progress, outcomes, risks, and financial impacts of assigned initiatives.
• Ensure consistency, quality, and compliance with established standards, policies, governance frameworks, and budget constraints.
• Support cross-functional initiatives and perform other leadership responsibilities as assigned.
• Complete required Dallas College professional development hours per academic year (minimum 19 hours; people leaders require an additional 16 hours of leadership development).
• Perform other duties not listed as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible leadership experience managing teams, programs, or functional areas.
• Experience implementing initiatives aligned to organizational strategy.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.
• Official transcripts required.
• Subject to a criminal background check; some positions may require a fingerprint check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree or certifications in a relevant field.

Skills

Required

• Strategic and Operational Leadership
  • Provide senior-level leadership to support academic initiatives and enterprise projects that enhance organizational effectiveness and institutional outcomes.
  • Serve as a strategic, consultative partner to executive leadership and academic stakeholders, helping identify priorities, assess opportunities, and resolve complex challenges.
  • Support division- and college-level strategic planning efforts, initiatives, and special projects through facilitation, coordination, and influence.
• Initiative and Workflow Oversight
  • Oversee planning, coordination, and alignment of academic initiatives to ensure effective execution and continuous improvement.
  • Establish and maintain workflows, processes, and governance structures that promote clarity, efficiency, and accountability.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to establish, monitor, and report on metrics that inform decision-making and demonstrate progress toward goals.
• Governance, Compliance, and Quality
  • Ensure academic and digital initiatives align with college policies, standards, and regulatory requirements, including accessibility, privacy, and security obligations.
  • Promote consistent application of standards, best practices, and quality expectations across initiatives.
  • Apply independent judgment to balance priorities, manage risk, and guide institutional decision-making.
• Collaboration and Influence
  • Work collaboratively and cross-functionally across Dallas College to support integrated planning and execution of academic initiatives.
  • Influence outcomes through relationship-building, facilitation, and diplomacy rather than direct authority.
  • Represent Academic Initiatives in institutional discussions, working groups, and cross-college efforts.
• Team Leadership and Change Support
  • Support leaders and teams through periods of change, growth, and transformation related to academic initiatives.
  • Foster engagement, shared ownership, and adoption of new processes, tools, and ways of working.
  • Encourage collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement across teams.
• Resource and Budget Stewardship
  • Provide oversight of budgets, resources, and vendor relationships supporting academic and digital initiatives.
  • Monitor resource utilization to support operational efficiency and responsible stewardship.
  • Support planning and allocation decisions that align resources with institutional priorities and outcomes.
• Adoption of Emerging Technologies
  • Actively explore, evaluate, and effectively adopt emerging technologies (including AI), integrating them into workflows to improve efficiency, quality, and outcomes.

Preferred Competencies

• Accountable
• Adaptable
• Solution Oriented
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively

Pay

Compensation range: Administrator Range E06. Salary minimum: $97,800.00 annually.