Program Planning & Development Manager

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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.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Office of Online & Professional Learning Resources is currently seeking a Program Planning & Development Manager. This position supports distance education program growth, planning and development for OPLR-supported programs in collaboration with UW universities. This position serves a lead role in identifying programmatic needs and employing OPLR resources and personnel, in coordination with campus resources and expertise, in the collaborative planning and development of recognized high-need learning opportunities in the online environment. The Program Planning & Development Manager will provide important leadership and energy to the planning, development and implementation of new online programs and the realization of the established enrollment goals with support from internal support staff, external partners and OPLR leadership.

The Program Planning & Development Manager will oversee program development across the institution in collaboration with the Senior Director for Academic Partnerships and Programming and will cultivate relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to shape educational offerings. This position will maintain awareness and knowledge of emerging educational trends, conduct needs analysis and viability assessment to recommend new programs or possible changes in or enhancements to the existing program array. The Program Planning & Development Manager will work closely with faculty, industry representatives, and other subject matter experts in the development of rigorous and relevant online curricula. This role will work closely with the Senior Director in developing and maintaining positive relationships with campus partners, engaging and exciting faculty in the development process, and developing and managing timelines for curriculum development and program approvals. This position reports to the Senior Director for Academic Partnerships and Programming.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Serve as the recognized lead for program development and planning within OPLR.
  • Work with the Senior Director, the Office of Academic Affairs, and external vendor(s) in performing regular opportunity research to identify prospective new programs for development and implementation.
  • Lead custom research projects related to new and existing programs.
  • Conduct qualitative research to include focus groups and key informant interviews as a means to collect information for application in the program planning and development process.
  • Identify opportunities for the development of new subject area programs from concept through implementation and integration into the program array.
  • Conduct viability assessment to determine go/no-go position for program development.
  • Assist in the development, maintenance and regular revision of a comprehensive program development plan for the institution.
  • Facilitate curriculum development process for new programs consistent with established approaches and timelines. Serve as communication liaison for faculty and campus administrators through project completion. Develop project management plan, monitor processes and progress, identify opportunities for improvement, strive for efficiency through process adjustments to ensure greater success.
  • Assist campuses in program approval process to include, but not limited to, documenting work product from curriculum planning sessions, drafting key approval documents, presenting to key governance groups on program and budget detail, assisting in data collection, and other duties as required or requested.
  • Assist in development and monitoring of complex budgets, adhering to established and/or recognized policies, procedures, and business practices. Manage, interpret and maintain compliance around partnership models.
  • Serve as the program planning and develop lead in various internal and external teams, projects, and committees.
  • Provide interim program management support in the absence of an assigned program manager and assist in the hiring process for new program managers.
  • 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 of experience in the planning, development, implementation, and management of online, continuing education, and/or professional development programs.
  • Strong entrepreneurial and leadership skills with the ability to motivate stakeholders and guide teams toward identified goals and outcomes.
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills with the ability to articulate complex ideas in an accessible manner, to engage stakeholders toward a shared vision, and positively support the values of OPLR and the Universities of Wisconsin.
  • 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.
  • High tolerance for ambiguity, the ability to adapt quickly to change, and the maturity and humility to learn from a variety of stakeholders and partners.
  • 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.
  • 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 Program Planning & Development Manager (official title: Academic Program Manager) is a full-time, salaried (exempt), academic staff position.

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $67,000-82,000 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
      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.