Program Director of Specialized Master's Programs

Title: Program Director of Specialized Master's Programs

Executive Area: Academic Affairs

College/School/MBU: Management

Department: Dean - Isenberg School

Work Location: Amherst

Schedule: Full time

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Job Summary

The Program Director of Specialized Master's Programs is responsible for the overall coordination and oversight of all specialized master's programs in the Isenberg School of Management (ISOM) that include the Master of Science in Accounting, Master of Science in Business Analytics, and the Master of Finance, as well as any new specialized degrees that may be created in the future, focus areas across other degrees that use business classes offered in any of the specialized master's programs, related Certificates including Business Analytics, Project Management, Artificial Intelligence, Forensic Accounting certificates and new ones that may be created in the future, across-campus programs including the MS in Engineering Management that use business classes, and additional similar degrees, including dual-degrees, and programs that are on the books or may be created in the future. Strategic focus areas include student recruitment, operations, program development, and staffing. This position performs strategic planning for the specialized master's programs, positioning them as top programs in national rankings, and contributes efforts that continually enhance the overall quality and experience.

The Program Director works closely with the Director of Marketing & Communications to assist in the coordination and implementation of all marketing efforts; the Faculty Director for the specialized master's programs, and the Associate Dean for Graduate & Professional Programs to coordinate curriculum, strategy, industry outreach and new programs. The Program Director reports to the Executive Director, Specialized Master's Programs.

Essential Functions

Management:

Supervision: Supervises 4 advisors; 0-3 student recruiter, interns and peer tutors. The number of advisors varies with student enrollment.

Training: Trains all Isenberg graduate programs employees in all aspects of the different specialized master's curriculum and operation. Train all new advisors, student recruiters, interns, and peer tutors.

Alumni outreach: Works in conjunction with the Executive Director and Associate Dean to plan and execute events, such as alumni panels, networking events and recruiting events, to encourage alumni participation and engagement.

Student orientation: Schedules, plans and executes orientation sessions at the start of each admissions term, incorporating presentations from the Faculty Directors and Career Coach(es).

Scheduling: Manages scheduling of all specialized masters in-person and online class offerings, including classes held on the Charles River campus in Newton. Coordinates with respective MBA Program Director for all shared classes and on scheduling-related activities.

Admissions: Manages the admissions process for the specialized masters and Certificate programs. Collaborates with the Assistant Director of Operations to ensure that high-quality applicants are admitted, and appropriate enrollment goals are achieved in accordance with the allotted cohort size. Admissions criteria are set to balance enrollment goals and metrics used in national rankings.

Outreach to faculty and department chairs: Communicates and clarifies curriculum for all specialized programs, policies, student cohort information to faculty, conducts annual faculty training requirements, and coordinates and communicates teaching assignments to faculty teaching in the program. Coordinates with faculty for practicum projects. Works with department chairs to provide courses and access to students that pursue focus and concentration areas in Isenberg.

Strategic Input: Provides strategic input on the revenue generating model for the programs, including on costs of running the program. Collaborates with leadership and the graduate curriculum committee to explore, make recommendations and expand all curricular opportunities, including dual degrees and certificates.

Advising:

Prospective students/current students: Responsible for all areas of advising for each of the specialized master's programs and Certificates, including meeting with prospective students, and monitoring the progress of on-going students on a frequent basis. This includes 4+1 and accelerated undergraduate student advising prior to official matriculation into graduate programs.

Works directly with Isenberg Undergraduate Programs Advisors on 4+1 and accelerated prospects to ensure a smooth transition and to confirm that undergraduate requirements will not be jeopardized by accelerating into graduate classes.

Implements advisor's best practices and monitors student success through effective use of system tools, including Salesforce, Spire and student success reports.

Works collaboratively with the Executive Director and Advising staff to ensure students' progress and good standing. Acts on behalf of the Executive Director in their absence.

Graduation clearance: Oversees process for clearing of all students' degree completion and certificate completion.

Programmatic Duties:

Curriculum development: Works with the Associate Dean, Executive Director and Specialized Master's Faculty Directors to explore and expand curricular opportunities.

Curriculum support: Works with Program Directors in Isenberg and other schools and colleges to provide courses and access to all graduate students who pursue a specialized master's program, or a Business focus area within their graduate degree program.

Recruitment materials: Collaborates with the Director of Marketing Strategy and Communications to create recruitment and informational materials including brochures, informational handouts and other promotional materials.

Student events and student clubs: Schedules and plan graduate student events in conjunction with other team members to enhance student engagement and develop a graduate student community. Engages with graduate student clubs and their leadership to ensure that they have the resources needed to function effectively and to serve students in all graduate degree programs in ISOM.

Communications: Coordinates with other team members to schedule and plan regular student communications around class registration, advising sessions, student events, graduation clearance, etc.

Career & Professional development plan: Coordinates with the Graduate Director in the Office of Career Success and Career Coach(es) to develop a curriculum & professional development plan, designed to improve student career outcomes for both career advances and switchers.

Partnerships: Collaborates with Associate Dean and Director of Marketing Strategy and Communications for development of partnerships with businesses, non-profit associations, and academic institutions for recruitment and other partnerships.

Alumni Outreach: Maintains outreach to Alumni partners to engage them with the program and serve as workshop presenters and panelists.

Metrics: Tracks program success metrics, for internal and ranking purposes, and reports results and recommendations to leadership. Collaborates with Director of Analytics, Assessment and Accreditation for reviewing data for ranking purposes.

International Opportunities: Coordinates, recommends and implements international exchange opportunities for students, where applicable. Works closely with Office of Global Affairs on CPT/OPT and ensuring all visa requirements are met.

Other Functions

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in business, education or a related field.

Four to six (4-6) years of work experience in a higher education setting.

Strong written and interpersonal skills.

Ability to interact effectively with faculty, students, industry and alumni constituents.

Capability to work successfully with a diverse population including but not limited to faculty, academic and non-academic professional and classified staff, administrators, students, industry leaders and the general public.

Strong leadership and advising skills; demonstrated ability to advise, train, negotiate and persuade same populations to work collaboratively, cooperatively, efficiently and effectively in a challenging, dynamic workplace.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's of Business Administration (MBA) degree.

Knowledge of specialized master's program(s) structure.

Knowledge of CRM systems, i.e. Salesforce.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in a standard office or indoor university environment and involves minimal physical exertion.

Work Schedule and Work Arrangement

Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 p.m.

Required to work some nights & weekends as pertains to business needs.

Some travel is required.

This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee's work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

Salary Information

Pay Grade: PSSAP Grade 29

Click here to view the Professional Staff Hiring Ranges.

Special Instructions for Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be requested at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

This position will remain open for the time period required by any applicable collective bargaining agreement and will continue until a suitable candidate pool is identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early.