American University
Director, Graduate Programs Operations
American University, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University
All the relevant skills, qualifications and experience that a successful applicant will need are listed in the following description.
Department
School of Communication
Time Type
Full time
Job Type
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Work Modality
Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)
Union
Job Description:
Summary
The Director, Graduate Programs Operations, works collaboratively with the SOC leadership team, faculty, staff, and university leaders to develop and implement high quality graduate programs—in person, online and hybrid—and serves as the School’s administrative lead for this effort. The Director has general oversight of recruitment, admissions, and enrollment functions for the School of Communications graduate and doctoral programs. Applying their knowledge of evolving trends in graduate and higher education, the director makes recommendations to innovate and improve upon programmatic offerings to keep the School’s graduate programs and curriculum up to date and competitive.
The Director collaborates closely with the Director, Communication & Marketing on graduate marketing strategies and updating collaterals. The Director leads graduate retention efforts, ensuring that SOC’s graduate academic experience are high quality and student services operations adhere to university policies and effectively support the student’s progress to degree.
The Director supervises and collaborates with a team to collect, interpret and analyze recruitment, enrollment, admissions and retention data and articulates this data in timely and accurate reports and projections to leadership. They supervise an assistant director, graduate academic advisor, and graduate specialist. The position works with leadership to cultivate and sustain relationships with external partners and consultants. This position serves as the School’s liaison on graduate programs and operations with other university offices, consultants, and external partners.
Essential Functions
Program Administration and Operations Leads day-to-day operations for all SOC graduate programs and coordinate new policies and procedures with relevant AU central offices. Oversees graduate academic advising and related student support activities to ensure delivery of a positive experience and to retain students. In collaboration with SOC leadership, researches, evaluates, and establishes best practices to deliver high-quality graduate academic programs. Provides guidance to faculty and leadership regarding create and facilitate graduate curriculum review and improvement and course schedules. Serves as School’s liaison on graduate academic affairs with other university offices, consultants, and external partners. Represents SOC graduate programs on relevant working groups at the school and university levels and at university and school events. Works with other administrative units to deliver appropriate services to graduate students. Works with international programs personnel to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Graduate Recruitment Manages recruitment planning and activities, establishing target data-driven enrollment goals for graduate team. Collaborates with Director, Communication & Marketing to help inform the marketing strategy for all graduate programs. In consultation with the Associate Director, uses analytic reports to monitor and assess the effectiveness of the recruitment strategy and provide guidance on revisions as necessary. This position oversees maintenance of the graduate sections of the SOC Web site. Represents SOC at graduate recruitment and partnership events. Graduate Awards and Enrollment Works with SOC leadership to develop a financial aid strategy to meet enrollment goals. Responsible for allocation of merit funds to maximize student enrollments. Manages graduate financial aid and award budgets working in collaboration with the Associate Director on timely allocation. Working with Division Directors, reviews applications to determine which students qualify for merit awards as well as verifying that they meet the specific criteria for each award. Manages the generation and maintenance of data on merit award recipients for the Office of the Provost and Dean of SOC with the grad team. Tracks offers to ensure timely notification of acceptance/rejection and final distribution of awards. Communicates merit decisions in a timely manner to applicants, track acceptances and rejections, manage application and award process, and track various processes for reports. Advises Division Directors about university policies and GFA budget. Oversees all aspects of enrollment for SOC graduate programs and develops enrollment forecasts. Collaborates with SOC Leadership Team and University partners to establish graduate enrollment targets. Future Graduate and Certificate Programs Launch Collaborates with school leadership to develop and implement new programs and partnerships to increase visibility of the school and add additional revenue streams. Facilitates development of innovative new graduate degrees and certificates, both online and face to face, within SOC and in collaboration with other units on campus to ensure SOC offers graduate programs that meet current market demands. Works directly with the SOC finance team to develop and support a program with projected revenues annually. Stays current on graduate education trends in SOC subject areas and policies related to graduate admissions. Provides data-driven feedback to faculty and School leadership on programs that may need to be revised or sunsetted to meet evolving needs in communication and media fields. Personnel Management Hires, trains, mentors, and monitors work of full and part-time staff reports. Provides on-going coaching and feedback to ensure SOC and unit priorities are being met. Manages employee performance including setting performance goals and conducting annual performance evaluations. Other Duties as Assigned Other duties and committee service as assigned in support of the School’s strategic mission.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position supervises 3 FTEs and occasional student workers.
Competencies
Developing Plans. Acquiring and Analyzing Information. Evaluating and Implementing Ideas. Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions. Acting Strategically. Collaborative Leadership. Building and Supporting Teams. Managing Talent.
Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work
Full-time. 35 hours per week. Position is eligible for a Hybrid 1 work schedule. Some evening and weekend work is required.
Salary Range
$85,000 - $95,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
Required Education And Experience
Master's degree. 4-6 years of relevant experience. Minimum of four years of experience in higher education environment or other related experience in administration of a complex organization. Marketing and budget administration experience. Knowledge and experience with trends in higher education and graduate studies. Proven ability in using CRM reports to analyze data, forecast trends, manage projections, and facilitate decision-making and recommendations. Must have strong interpersonal, organizational, written and presentation skills. Proven demonstration of initiative, flexibility, and teamwork approach. Excellent attention to detail with strong ability to prioritize and multi-task in a dynamic and high-pressure environment to meet deadlines. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and develop productive working relationships with multiple constituencies (students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents).
Preferred Education And Experience
Master's degree. 5-8 years of relevant experience.
Travel Required
Some occasional travel may be required.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university. Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities. #J-18808-Ljbffr
All the relevant skills, qualifications and experience that a successful applicant will need are listed in the following description.
Department
School of Communication
Time Type
Full time
Job Type
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Work Modality
Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)
Union
Job Description:
Summary
The Director, Graduate Programs Operations, works collaboratively with the SOC leadership team, faculty, staff, and university leaders to develop and implement high quality graduate programs—in person, online and hybrid—and serves as the School’s administrative lead for this effort. The Director has general oversight of recruitment, admissions, and enrollment functions for the School of Communications graduate and doctoral programs. Applying their knowledge of evolving trends in graduate and higher education, the director makes recommendations to innovate and improve upon programmatic offerings to keep the School’s graduate programs and curriculum up to date and competitive.
The Director collaborates closely with the Director, Communication & Marketing on graduate marketing strategies and updating collaterals. The Director leads graduate retention efforts, ensuring that SOC’s graduate academic experience are high quality and student services operations adhere to university policies and effectively support the student’s progress to degree.
The Director supervises and collaborates with a team to collect, interpret and analyze recruitment, enrollment, admissions and retention data and articulates this data in timely and accurate reports and projections to leadership. They supervise an assistant director, graduate academic advisor, and graduate specialist. The position works with leadership to cultivate and sustain relationships with external partners and consultants. This position serves as the School’s liaison on graduate programs and operations with other university offices, consultants, and external partners.
Essential Functions
Program Administration and Operations Leads day-to-day operations for all SOC graduate programs and coordinate new policies and procedures with relevant AU central offices. Oversees graduate academic advising and related student support activities to ensure delivery of a positive experience and to retain students. In collaboration with SOC leadership, researches, evaluates, and establishes best practices to deliver high-quality graduate academic programs. Provides guidance to faculty and leadership regarding create and facilitate graduate curriculum review and improvement and course schedules. Serves as School’s liaison on graduate academic affairs with other university offices, consultants, and external partners. Represents SOC graduate programs on relevant working groups at the school and university levels and at university and school events. Works with other administrative units to deliver appropriate services to graduate students. Works with international programs personnel to ensure compliance with federal regulations. Graduate Recruitment Manages recruitment planning and activities, establishing target data-driven enrollment goals for graduate team. Collaborates with Director, Communication & Marketing to help inform the marketing strategy for all graduate programs. In consultation with the Associate Director, uses analytic reports to monitor and assess the effectiveness of the recruitment strategy and provide guidance on revisions as necessary. This position oversees maintenance of the graduate sections of the SOC Web site. Represents SOC at graduate recruitment and partnership events. Graduate Awards and Enrollment Works with SOC leadership to develop a financial aid strategy to meet enrollment goals. Responsible for allocation of merit funds to maximize student enrollments. Manages graduate financial aid and award budgets working in collaboration with the Associate Director on timely allocation. Working with Division Directors, reviews applications to determine which students qualify for merit awards as well as verifying that they meet the specific criteria for each award. Manages the generation and maintenance of data on merit award recipients for the Office of the Provost and Dean of SOC with the grad team. Tracks offers to ensure timely notification of acceptance/rejection and final distribution of awards. Communicates merit decisions in a timely manner to applicants, track acceptances and rejections, manage application and award process, and track various processes for reports. Advises Division Directors about university policies and GFA budget. Oversees all aspects of enrollment for SOC graduate programs and develops enrollment forecasts. Collaborates with SOC Leadership Team and University partners to establish graduate enrollment targets. Future Graduate and Certificate Programs Launch Collaborates with school leadership to develop and implement new programs and partnerships to increase visibility of the school and add additional revenue streams. Facilitates development of innovative new graduate degrees and certificates, both online and face to face, within SOC and in collaboration with other units on campus to ensure SOC offers graduate programs that meet current market demands. Works directly with the SOC finance team to develop and support a program with projected revenues annually. Stays current on graduate education trends in SOC subject areas and policies related to graduate admissions. Provides data-driven feedback to faculty and School leadership on programs that may need to be revised or sunsetted to meet evolving needs in communication and media fields. Personnel Management Hires, trains, mentors, and monitors work of full and part-time staff reports. Provides on-going coaching and feedback to ensure SOC and unit priorities are being met. Manages employee performance including setting performance goals and conducting annual performance evaluations. Other Duties as Assigned Other duties and committee service as assigned in support of the School’s strategic mission.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position supervises 3 FTEs and occasional student workers.
Competencies
Developing Plans. Acquiring and Analyzing Information. Evaluating and Implementing Ideas. Making Accurate Judgments and Decisions. Acting Strategically. Collaborative Leadership. Building and Supporting Teams. Managing Talent.
Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work
Full-time. 35 hours per week. Position is eligible for a Hybrid 1 work schedule. Some evening and weekend work is required.
Salary Range
$85,000 - $95,000 annually, commensurate with experience.
Required Education And Experience
Master's degree. 4-6 years of relevant experience. Minimum of four years of experience in higher education environment or other related experience in administration of a complex organization. Marketing and budget administration experience. Knowledge and experience with trends in higher education and graduate studies. Proven ability in using CRM reports to analyze data, forecast trends, manage projections, and facilitate decision-making and recommendations. Must have strong interpersonal, organizational, written and presentation skills. Proven demonstration of initiative, flexibility, and teamwork approach. Excellent attention to detail with strong ability to prioritize and multi-task in a dynamic and high-pressure environment to meet deadlines. Demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and develop productive working relationships with multiple constituencies (students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents).
Preferred Education And Experience
Master's degree. 5-8 years of relevant experience.
Travel Required
Some occasional travel may be required.
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Benefits
AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.
Other Details
Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university. Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities. #J-18808-Ljbffr