Lead Academic Program Manager (Graduate Educator Programs)
Western Governors University, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
Job Overview
If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country and are committed to working hard to play your part, consider WGU as the next step in your career.
Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals.
The salary range for this position is $119,400–$185,100, corresponding to Grade: Professional 313.
Job Description
As Lead Academic Program Manager for Graduate Educator Programs, you will be the overall end‑to‑end owner of those programs throughout their entire lifecycle. Your responsibilities include: pre‑definition research (market‑segment selection, targeted skills, market demand, student demand, competitive analysis, portfolio strategy, pricing, program requirements, and program‑level P&L); building and launching the program with academic program directors and subject‑matter experts; tracking post‑launch adoption with marketing and partnership teams; monitoring student success; and adjusting the program to improve student success and market relevance while managing the program‑level P&L.
Location: Millcreek, UT; Work Arrangement: On‑site (In‑Office); Academic Unit: School of Education, Western Governors University.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
P&L ownership experience with managing Graduate Educator Programs.
Drive a culture of continuous experimentation, measurement, and data‑driven learning to rapidly improve the quality and delivery to students.
Directly or indirectly lead a diverse team of 25+ people, including academic program leaders, instructional faculty, and student coaches/mentors.
Communicate effectively to improve teamwork, decision‑making, and problem‑solving; listen and respond to others; adapt messages to audiences; provide timely feedback.
Collaborate across the organization to achieve shared objectives; gain trust and support of others.
Manage ambiguity and uncertainty; handle risk; decide effectively in incomplete situations; remain calm and productive.
Drive for results: maintain a strong outcomes‑based orientation, persist through obstacles, and pursue continuous improvement.
Build effective teams: create diverse mixes, establish shared objectives, build belonging, recognize wins, and foster collaboration.
Learn quickly in new situations; experiment; extract lessons from failures; expand knowledge through curiosity.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Deep understanding of how students learn and the ability to combine innovative curriculum with student support to drive success.
Customer or student obsession focused on driving successful outcomes.
Industry or academic leadership in the discipline.
Understanding of industry trends, job opportunities, local student needs, and educational market trends.
Credible voice of the department in external partnerships and presentation opportunities.
Execution focus with ability to dive deep and live in the details on a fast‑paced weekly cadence.
Organize and coordinate activities and results across cross‑functional teams.
Coach and develop direct reports.
Collaborate with and lead teams, including in remote environments, demonstrating excellence, integrity, and respect.
Work effectively in a highly matrixed organization.
Build relationships and influence at all levels, internally and externally.
Act as an agent of change in a rapidly changing environment.
Analyze data to identify trends and drive innovation.
Sound judgment and decision‑making skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Competencies
Organizational Impact: Implement initiatives and projects that impact university or department results; establish strategic and operational plans.
Problem Solving & Decision Making: Leverage systems‑thinking to improve processes and systems; gather detailed information and analyze complex problems.
Communication & Influence: Collaborate cross‑functionally; influence others to adopt practices and conduct briefings with leaders.
Leadership & Talent Management: Provide guidance, coaching, training, and feedback to employees; demonstrate WGU’s leadership principles.
Job Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in education or a related field from an accredited institution.
4+ years of related experience, including program P&L responsibility and effective planning and operation of degree‑granting educational programs to drive student outcomes, satisfaction, and profitability.
Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree plus 7 years of relevant experience may be considered if the candidate possesses the necessary skills and knowledge.
Preferred Qualifications
Doctorate degree in education or a relevant area from an accredited institution.
Experience in higher education.
Experience in developing online education programs or scaling rapidly changing organizations/programs.
Experience in developing curriculum and/or high‑stakes assessments.
Demonstrated success in change management and bringing structure to complex situations.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Travel
This position may require occasional travel of up to 20%, including attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year), conferences, visits to company locations, and other business‑related events as needed.
EEO & Accommodations
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country and are committed to working hard to play your part, consider WGU as the next step in your career.
Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals.
The salary range for this position is $119,400–$185,100, corresponding to Grade: Professional 313.
Job Description
As Lead Academic Program Manager for Graduate Educator Programs, you will be the overall end‑to‑end owner of those programs throughout their entire lifecycle. Your responsibilities include: pre‑definition research (market‑segment selection, targeted skills, market demand, student demand, competitive analysis, portfolio strategy, pricing, program requirements, and program‑level P&L); building and launching the program with academic program directors and subject‑matter experts; tracking post‑launch adoption with marketing and partnership teams; monitoring student success; and adjusting the program to improve student success and market relevance while managing the program‑level P&L.
Location: Millcreek, UT; Work Arrangement: On‑site (In‑Office); Academic Unit: School of Education, Western Governors University.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
P&L ownership experience with managing Graduate Educator Programs.
Drive a culture of continuous experimentation, measurement, and data‑driven learning to rapidly improve the quality and delivery to students.
Directly or indirectly lead a diverse team of 25+ people, including academic program leaders, instructional faculty, and student coaches/mentors.
Communicate effectively to improve teamwork, decision‑making, and problem‑solving; listen and respond to others; adapt messages to audiences; provide timely feedback.
Collaborate across the organization to achieve shared objectives; gain trust and support of others.
Manage ambiguity and uncertainty; handle risk; decide effectively in incomplete situations; remain calm and productive.
Drive for results: maintain a strong outcomes‑based orientation, persist through obstacles, and pursue continuous improvement.
Build effective teams: create diverse mixes, establish shared objectives, build belonging, recognize wins, and foster collaboration.
Learn quickly in new situations; experiment; extract lessons from failures; expand knowledge through curiosity.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Deep understanding of how students learn and the ability to combine innovative curriculum with student support to drive success.
Customer or student obsession focused on driving successful outcomes.
Industry or academic leadership in the discipline.
Understanding of industry trends, job opportunities, local student needs, and educational market trends.
Credible voice of the department in external partnerships and presentation opportunities.
Execution focus with ability to dive deep and live in the details on a fast‑paced weekly cadence.
Organize and coordinate activities and results across cross‑functional teams.
Coach and develop direct reports.
Collaborate with and lead teams, including in remote environments, demonstrating excellence, integrity, and respect.
Work effectively in a highly matrixed organization.
Build relationships and influence at all levels, internally and externally.
Act as an agent of change in a rapidly changing environment.
Analyze data to identify trends and drive innovation.
Sound judgment and decision‑making skills.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Competencies
Organizational Impact: Implement initiatives and projects that impact university or department results; establish strategic and operational plans.
Problem Solving & Decision Making: Leverage systems‑thinking to improve processes and systems; gather detailed information and analyze complex problems.
Communication & Influence: Collaborate cross‑functionally; influence others to adopt practices and conduct briefings with leaders.
Leadership & Talent Management: Provide guidance, coaching, training, and feedback to employees; demonstrate WGU’s leadership principles.
Job Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s degree in education or a related field from an accredited institution.
4+ years of related experience, including program P&L responsibility and effective planning and operation of degree‑granting educational programs to drive student outcomes, satisfaction, and profitability.
Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree plus 7 years of relevant experience may be considered if the candidate possesses the necessary skills and knowledge.
Preferred Qualifications
Doctorate degree in education or a relevant area from an accredited institution.
Experience in higher education.
Experience in developing online education programs or scaling rapidly changing organizations/programs.
Experience in developing curriculum and/or high‑stakes assessments.
Demonstrated success in change management and bringing structure to complex situations.
Physical Requirements
Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
Travel
This position may require occasional travel of up to 20%, including attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year), conferences, visits to company locations, and other business‑related events as needed.
EEO & Accommodations
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.
#J-18808-Ljbffr