Executive Director, Academic Programs

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Job Description Summary

The Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies (SPS) seeks an experienced and innovative Executive Director for Academic Programs to lead the development and management of a dynamic portfolio of graduate degree and non-degree offerings. This leadership role will ensure that the School’s programs remain market-relevant, affordable, and high-impact for working professionals in the Charlotte community and beyond. The Executive Director will guide continuous program improvement, leveraging strategic partnerships and market insights to expand the School’s reach and value. To optimize our work and the experiences of our students, staff and faculty, we seek to hire teammates who are committed to inclusive practices that value the backgrounds, experiences, and voices of all of our community members. We seek to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive and equitable environment for all given our commitment to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. The Executive Director will be a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of the professional education landscape, who can drive the academic mission forward through innovative program design and development.

Job Description

An ideal candidate will have

• An earned Master’s Degree in Business, Education, or a related field 

• At least seven or more years of related experience working in education program development and management with a focus on innovation and market relevance

• Proven ability to lead change and process improvements in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Strong data analysis skills to drive program improvements and align offerings with workforce needs.

Job Role

Wake Forest University has a strong sense of community with faculty and staff who are dedicated to the mission of educating the whole person. SPS focuses on accelerating the professional growth of adult students in the Charlotte community and beyond by providing accessible, flexible, affordable, and leading-edge educational experiences by leveraging our academic areas of excellence and external strategic partnerships.

To support this work, the Executive Director for Academic Programs will:

• Working closely with the Academic Directors, provide administrative leadership for a portfolio of programs: support overall student experience within each program, communicate within SPS and across university administrative units, and oversee program goals and key performance indicators.

• Develop and maintain an academic portfolio by using a data-informed approach and leveraging employer partnerships to identify workforce needs for adult learners, reflective of the educational landscape, and the job market in Charlotte and beyond. 

• Identify potential new degrees and certificates. Lead the program development process, facilitate the program development team, and create the program proposal for the Board of Trustees and university leaders.

• Manage curricular changes, facilitate program communications, conduct survey and data analysis, and provide project leadership in collaboration with relevant internal and external stakeholders.

• In cooperation with the Academic Directors, oversee program reviews, and other processes that are important for the continuous improvement of the programs in the portfolio to ensure existing programs maintain the highest quality and relevancy, addressing the needs of today’s learner populations while meeting the feasibility and potential profitability expectations of SPS.

• Develop and grow partnerships with industry – including partnerships with key professional organizations and manage Program Advisory Board(s) effectively.

• Provide leadership and/or support for Wake360, the in-person event for students, faculty, and stakeholders

• Collaborate with other University and/or external partners to ensure effective and efficient operations relevant to functional area.

Additional Job Description

Wake Forest University

Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to academic excellence in liberal arts, graduate, and professional education. Founded in 1834, the University is ranked among the top thirty national universities according to U.S. News & World Report. With other 5,000 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate and professional students, the student-faculty ratio is 11:1. Wake Forest is a collegiate university offering a vibrant, intellectual community with a rich cultural life, an impressive array of facilities, and a strong athletics program competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Since its founding, the University has adopted the motto Pro Humanitate, which is exemplified by a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the work. Click here for quick facts about the University

The School of Professional Studies

The School of Professional Studies (SPS) is the newest school of Wake Forest University. SPS houses innovative graduate degree and non-degree programs, including certificates and other credentials, as well as relevant Executive Education courses, for working professionals. SPS is focused on developing accessible and market-relevant programs that build upon Wake Forest’s current areas of strength as well as delivering future professional development education that is essential to the growing economy of Charlotte, where the School is located, and the surrounding region. SPS is at the frontier of what’s next for Wake Forest University as the university boldly expands into Charlotte with the construction of an Innovation District in partnership with Atrium Health. SPS is an exciting strategic initiative for the university benefiting from strong support from the university community, including administration and trustees, and the business and civic leaders of Charlotte. 

SPS has a vision to develop a new kind of leader. It helps working professionals rise to the challenges of today’s dynamic job market by teaching in-demand skills and awarding sought-after credentials. The School empowers its students to adapt, grow, and excel, shaping them into leaders who will guide businesses into the future with integrity. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, SPS offers fully online programs students can complete from anywhere, as well as opportunities to network, learn, and connect in person. Learn more about the School of Professional Studies online at https://sps.wfu.edu.

Charlotte, North Carolina

The fifth fastest growing city in the U.S., Charlotte is the most populous city in North Carolina, with more than 874,000 residents. The city is the cultural, economic, and transportation center of the Charlotte metropolitan area, especially in the financial sector. It is the second largest financial banking center in the U.S. after New York City. Home to several Fortune 500 companies, Charlotte is one of the nation’s top cities expected to experience continued economic growth,

particularly for start-ups. 

Charlotte has opportunities and activities of a large city with the welcoming community of a small town. Great school systems, a variety of parks and outdoor venues, eclectic food scene, wonderful museums, family-friendly activities, and live entertainment venues make this city one to enjoy year around. Business Insider ranked the city 14th in its list of 50 Best Places to Live in America. 

Like many great cities, Charlotte has attracted people from across the world who now call it home. The different ethnicities, ages, and religions found within the city have enhanced Charlotte’s culture and sense of community.

Note:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the employee’s supervisor.

To help provide a safe learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final candidates being considered for employment.

Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply. Wake Forest University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in employment for individuals with disabilities.

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive work environment committed to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply.  ​

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