Director of Strategic Initiatives & Program Development for Academic Affairs

Director of Strategic Initiatives & Program Development for Academic Affairs

We are searching for an experienced Director of Strategic Initiatives & Program Development for Academic Affairs at our Arapahoe Campus facility. 

Position Title: Director of Strategic Initiatives & Program Development for Academic Affairs
# of Positions to Fill: 1
Department/Program: Academic Affairs 41000
Work Location Authorization: Hybrid On-Site/Remote
Campus Location: Arapahoe Campus
Reports to: CAO & VP for Academic Affairs
FLSA Classification: Exempt/Salaried
FTE: 100% (40 hrs/week)
Compensation: $53,934 - $62,317

Job Summary
The Director of Strategic Initiatives & Program Development for Academic Affairs (DSIPD) provides leadership and support for new and revised curricular programming for Academic Affairs along with accreditations, and strategic initiatives as determined by the Chief Academic Officer & Vice President for Academic Affairs. The position directs strategic planning and program development including curricular changes, review, and new programs. The DSIPD works closely with the Chief Academic Officer & Vice President for Academic Affairs, Deans, Chairs, Faculty, and Staff in the development and implementation of all degree programs to ensure quality of curriculum delivery. With ongoing analysis of educational quality in line with University values and financial stability, the DSIPD ensures that academic programs are relevant and attractive to prospective students, ensuring faculty and program success. The DSIPD is a supervisory role.  This is a full-time, exempt, position with flexible work hours depending on the weekly work flow.  Position is required to work on campus, as needed, with at least one day on campus per week.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Program Development & New Initiatives
•Direct Faculty in proposing and developing new academic programs, including the development of necessary documentation to meet the requirements of internal and external review bodies.
•Create budgets, perform market assessments, and enrollment projections.
•Evaluate proposals for university fit, market potential and target markets, financial analysis, and budget impacts.
•Consult and coordinate with Academic Affairs Staff to provide relevant data, materials, and feedback regarding new program or substantive change proposals.
•Provide project management for new program or substantive change proposals from concept to implementation, and in compliance with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Assumed Practices and Colorado Department of Higher Education.
•Lead, prepare, and submit required materials to the HLC for program review and/or approval.
•Manage internal communication strategies related to program additions, changes, or terminations.

Curriculum Changes, Implementation, and Program Success

•Oversee and evaluate curriculum change requests from a holistic University perspective.
•Direct Faculty to address issues raised in review and approval process.
•Coordinate with relevant University divisions to provide information for the timely and accurate roll-out of curricular changes, and launch of new programs.
•Monitor and assess curriculum quality in collaboration with Faculty, Advising, Admissions, and Finance, to ensure long-term success.
•Direct faculty to develop adjustments to program structures and/or curriculum as informed by annual assessments and annual program reviews and in compliance with the HLC Assumed Practices.

Data, Analysis, Special Project

•Conduct and direct special projects and studies related to programming, strategic initiatives, and/or budget analysis to support the needs of Academic Affairs and other University offices.
•Review and ensure accuracy of Faculty Handbook, Web, and other program related content in collaboration with Faculty.
•Direct annual program review content, agendas, goals, timelines, and outcomes including enrollment data, student evaluations, program assessment, and HLC report content, etc.
•Propose creative solutions for academic standards, Faculty, and program health as it related to student experience.
•Oversee program assessment, accreditation, and re-accreditation requirements.
•Other duties as assigned.

Leadership and Strategic Initiatives

•Provide leadership for academic strategic initiatives.
•Provide leadership and strategies for the Deans and Vice Presidents regarding university goals.
•Advance, and in some cases direct, special initiatives such as Title III Grant, strategic plans, academic plans, Council for the Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP), HLC accreditations, other program level accreditations, reports, plans, visits, etc.
•Chair the University Review Committee to coordinate with other University divisions such as Marketing, Registration, Advising, Admissions, Finance, and Student Success for review and assessment of impacts of curriculum changes and new programs.

Supervision
The DSIPD supervises staff:

•Administrative Coordinator for Academic Affairs: provides special project management, systems support, and general administrative support for Academic Affairs.

What Naropa Requires…

•BA in Education, Business Administration, or a similar field. Four or more additional relevant years of experience my substitute for higher education.
•5 years experience in Business Administration, Higher Education, or a similar field. 
•A combination of instructional and academic administrative experience, working knowledge of best practices in higher education, specifically related to learning outcomes assessment, curriculum and academic program design, and accreditation
•Excellent skills in strategic planning, academic budgeting, and program-based curriculum reform
•Excellent managerial financial literacy and analysis skills
•Excellent project management skills
•Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills
•Excellent listening skills, a strong commitment to customer service, and the ability to build bridges
•Strong ability to build agendas, facilitate meetings, create action items, and move projects from start to finish while collaborating with attention to detail
•Experience in developing new academic programs including budgets and budget projections
•Experience in financial analysis of budget changes
•Experience in working with regional accreditation processes
•Ability to maintain confidentiality and deal with sensitive information appropriately
•Experience in a professional setting with Microsoft 365 suite, especially Excel, Outlook, and SharePoint
•Understanding of and appreciation for the central role of contemplative practices in contemplative education
•All job candidates must hold a commitment to co-create a diverse and inclusive community and actively participate in related JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) professional development regarding the dynamics of privilege and oppression and the impact these have in the workplace.
•All job candidates must demonstrate their level of understanding of the dynamics of privilege and oppression, and the impact these have on equity, access, and opportunity.
•All job candidates must demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of and appreciation for the values of Naropa University and the capacity to demonstrate an integration and embodiment of these values as evidenced in work, communication, collaboration styles, and other general workplace behaviors.

What We’d Like You to Have…

•Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration or Business Administration
•Knowledge of accreditation criteria and procedures of the Higher Learning Commission, including direct experience in a position that interfaces with the HLC
•At least five years of experience in planning new academic programs
•Knowledge of and experience with Smartsheets and DocuSign platforms

Physical Requirements & Environmental Conditions

During regular daily activities, employee must be able to do the following with or without reasonable accommodation; lift 20 pounds, stand, walk, sit, handle/finger, bend at the waist, reach above shoulder level and interruptions/distractions.