Director of Program Administration

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The Universities of Wisconsin are a premier system of public higher education. We educate approximately 161,000 students each year and employ about 35,000 faculty and staff statewide. Through a constellation of 13 universities statewide, Universities of Wisconsin are a tremendous academic, cultural, and economic resource for Wisconsin, the nation, and the world.

The Universities of Wisconsin Office of Online & Professional Learning Resources (formerly UW Extended Campus) provides leadership, resources and services to support the ongoing development and growth of online distance education programs with Universities of Wisconsin campus partners. These offerings include undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificates, and independent learning courses. These partnerships and programs deliver on the vision of the Wisconsin Idea by connecting and creating synergies among the UW campuses across the state and making education both attainable and accessible to people wherever they work and live.

Currently, the Office of Online & Professional Learning Resources (OPLR) manages an innovative and collaborative suite of distance education programs in three areas: semester-based, competency-based (UW Flexible Option) and course based (Independent Learning). A full listing of the programs OPLR supports can be found here.

Each of the online programs is led by a Program Manager who facilitates the partnership between campus faculty, campus administration, and OPLR support services in the areas of instructional design, student services, media, recruitment, technology, and marketing. The Program Administrator supports Program Managers in their efforts and coordinates OPLR supports and services across programs.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Office of Online & Professional Learning Resources is currently seeking a Director of Program Administration. This position oversees, provides leadership, and supports Program Managers in the day-to-day management of OPLR-supported distance education programs. The Director of Program Administration ensures that established and agreed upon policies and procedures are consistently applied across programs; addresses campus and student concerns as necessary; ensures that communication is comprehensive and service levels are exceptional and seamless; and provides support, advice, and mentoring to program managers and/or campus-affiliated faculty and staff. This role works with OPLR staff in various functional areas to ensure program quality and delivery of services. In addition, this position addresses issues as presented by Program Managers, internal staff and external partners in a timely way and in a manner consistent with the established collaborative program model and partnership agreement, elevating issues when necessary. This position reports to the Senior Director for Academic Partnerships and Programming.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Manage the day-to-day operations and internal support services for collaborative online programs.
  • Develop relationships with and guide individual program managers in effectively and efficiently accessing and utilizing OPLR internal resources and in engaging campus administrators as required to support their programs and students. Function as a mentor and advisor supporting their day-to-day work and efforts to achieve operational and program objectives in their respective programs.
  • Collaborate with internal and external colleagues to monitor and manage collaborative agreements to ensure internal and external understanding and compliance; recommend required and appropriate changes in policies, procedures and business practices.
  • Initiate and implement program improvement plans across functions and partners. Assist in the program development and implementation process to include presenting at curriculum planning and program workgroup meetings, advising external partners and staff on program-related topics, meeting with campus representatives, and training new program staff on established policies and procedures.
  • Provide interim program management support in the absence of an assigned program manager and assist in the hiring process for new program managers.
  • Onboard, train, and develop new program managers and other staff as requested as part of the established orientation process; recommend onboarding improvements.
  • Negotiate with campus partners and facilitate, develop and implement (through multiple-campus discussions) strategies and practices to streamline and scale collaboration policies and practices across units, programs, campuses, and division. Build a shared understanding and collective knowledge base to ensure best and sustainable practices.
  • Develop guidelines for partners and internal units to identify roles and functions where OPLR staff and campus partners intersect to identify, clarify, and simplify partner interactions.
  • Identify data needs and ensure critical data and information is shared among appropriate stakeholders to operationalize, monitor and measure program effectiveness, success and operations. Manage all data governance issues either directly or through identified stakeholders. Analyze program data and communicate trends to campus partners and OPLR leadership.
  • Provide leadership and facilitate understanding of the collaborative programs and their objectives across the division and broader stakeholder audiences.
  • Serve as the collaborative program management representative in various internal and external teams, projects, and committees.
  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Director for Academic Partnerships and Programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • 4 years of experience working in or with higher educational institutions, including relevant professional experience in one or more of the following areas: academic program development, academic program management, student services, registration, advising/coaching/mentoring, admissions, financial aid, or instruction/faculty.
  • Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate stakeholders and guide teams toward identified goals and outcomes, while positively supporting the values of OPLR and the Universities of Wisconsin.
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills with the ability to articulate complex ideas in an accessible manner and to engage stakeholders toward a shared vision.
  • Strong customer service and relationship building skills to foster collaborative relationships, engage internal and external stakeholders, and resolve conflicts toward positive outcomes.
  • Excellent problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze situations, identify problems and formulate solutions.
  • Exceptional organizational, project management and facilitation skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Master’s degree
  • Experience as higher education faculty or administrator, with experience operating within a shared governance environment.
  • Experience with distance education program management and development.
  • Familiarity with federal/state compliance issues and higher education accreditation requirements for distance education.

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE EXCELLENCE 

Inclusive Excellence is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for Universities of Wisconsin. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the Universities of Wisconsin community.  We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, community service, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

Universities of Wisconsin fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who serve the State of Wisconsin and the public good.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Universities of Wisconsin is required to conduct a criminal background and sexual harassment check for the selected finalist prior to employment.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

WORK LOCATION

Our office is located at 780 Regent Street, Madison WI. Hybrid work options may be available to Wisconsin residents. Hybrid work arrangements will be discussed during the interview process. Telecommuting agreements are subject to change at any time.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The Director of Program Administration (official title: Academic Program Director) is a full-time, salaried (exempt), limited position.

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $95,000-115,000 per year, commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.

Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Universities of Wisconsin Employee Benefits Quick Guide. Use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to calculate the estimated value of your compensation and benefits.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through December 15, 2024. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.

  1. Click the “Apply Here” link at the top of this posting. You will be redirected to our applicant portal.
  2. To receive full consideration, interested applicants are required to apply online and provide the following documents:
    1. Resume
    2. Cover letter addressing your experience and education as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualifications
    3. Names and contact details for three references. References will not be contacted without prior notice to candidate.

Failing to submit the required application documents may disqualify your application.

  1. Submit your application.

SPECIAL NOTES

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting Shelby Buchanan at Shelby.Buchanan@uwex.wisconsin.edu .

The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran, and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies.  We promote excellent through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. 

Questions may be addressed to: Shelby Buchanan, HR Business Partner: Shelby.Buchanan@uwex.wisconsin.edu.