DIRECTOR / ACADEMIC & PROFESSIONAL PROGRAMS
Central Michigan University seeks a Director of Academic and Professional Programs within the CMU Online department to provide administrative oversight for undergraduate interdisciplinary academic degree programs and certificates delivered online and at a distance.
About the Role
The director leads strategic vision for prior learning credit initiatives, facilitates communication between main campus, faculty, staff, and program delivery partners, and optimizes program effectiveness. Responsibilities include curriculum updates, policy reviews, expansion opportunities, academic operations oversight, and student learning outcomes assessment.
Responsibilities
- Provides academic oversight of certificates, undergraduate majors, and programs, including admissions and operational support.
- Conducts learning outcomes assessments for certificates and degrees within the academic portfolio.
- Evaluates curriculum and directs development of new coursework, certificates, majors, and programs.
- Leads initiatives to optimize the learning experience for online and distance students.
- Identifies, evaluates, and develops innovative forms of academic delivery.
- Reviews marketing materials, webpages, and the Bulletin copy within the academic portfolio.
- Develops the yearly strategic enrollment plan for all programs within the academic portfolio.
- Facilitates communication between academic departments, faculty, and staff involved in program coordination and delivery.
- Collaborates with the Business and Community Outreach team to develop custom training programs and pipelines for regional employers.
- Represents programs through participation on various university councils and committees.
- Analyzes data to monitor student stop-outs and implement intervention strategies.
- Manages executed articulation agreements, affiliation agreements, and memorandums of understanding with external partners.
- Reviews and recommends policies and procedures for program efficiencies and effectiveness.
- Assists with professional development activities and annual goals for noncredit programming, micro-credentials, and badges.
- Collaborates on strategic endeavors to increase enrollment for certificates and degrees.
- Oversees budget development and supports program financial activities to ensure compliance with university policies.
- Leads the academic program review process, which occurs every seven years.
- Works with the Office of Licensure, Regulatory Services, and Human Capital to manage licensure, compliance, and regulation.
- Oversees hiring, training, development, and evaluation of professional and support staff.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements
- Master's degree from an accredited institution.
- Three years of experience in higher education as a faculty member and/or administrator.
- Demonstrated experience with distance program delivery, online course delivery, and educational programming for adult and post-traditional learners.
- Demonstrated experience with curriculum development.
- Excellent communication skills and leadership ability with diverse populations.
- Strong track record of facilitating collaboration and creativity.
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctoral degree.
- Five years of experience in higher education as a faculty member and/or administrator.
- Demonstrated experience leading strategic planning, academic program evaluation, learning outcomes assessment, and accreditation.
- Experience developing interdisciplinary programs and applying new technologies.
- Demonstrated experience supervising faculty and staff.
- Experience working with adult learners and business/community partners.
- Knowledge of undergraduate and graduate admission procedures.
Benefits
CMU employees enjoy access to a nationally recognized wellness program along with health care and benefits that exceed regional, state, and national norms.
Pay
$80,000 - $95,000 per year.
Schedule
- Full-time, 12-month position.
- Weekly schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., with occasional weekends and evenings as needed.
About the Department
Central Michigan University has a 125-year legacy of preparing students to become leaders and changemakers. CMU serves nearly 15,500 students through approximately 300 undergraduate, master's, specialist, and doctoral programs, many nationally ranked for excellence. The university is home to 17 Division 1 sports teams and is located in Mount Pleasant, a community blending small-town living with big-city amenities in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region.