Academic Director, Continuing Ed Program, School of Public Health & Health Sciences

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

 

Job Summary

The Academic Program Director provides leadership and management of the School of Public Health & Health Sciences' (SPHHS) office of online and continuing professional education, and is responsible for all operational aspects of Continuing and Professional Education (CPE) programs and courses. Specifically, the Director oversees current programs including the online MPH-PHP, the online MPH and MS in Nutrition, the online certificate programs and SPHHS undergraduate CPE courses and future programs. The Director is responsible for program management, marketing, new student recruitment, student and alumni advising, fiscal and data management, and internal UMass relations and external outreach. The Director is also responsible for future growth of the department in terms of enrollment, revenue generation, new course and new program research and development, and faculty and staff recruitment.

 

Essential Functions

  • Plan, direct and manage SPHHS Continuing and Professional Education programs.  Exercise judgment and initiative to oversee operations and determine the short and long range plans for the department, to meet the institution’s overall goals and objectives. Research and develop new online certificates and programs as part of the strategy. Establish policies, determine allocation of resources and delegate responsibilities.  Review and modify SPHHS CPE policies and guidelines, including but not limited to course cancellation guidelines, compensation schedules, hiring procedures, and enrollment guidelines. Collect and analyze marketing data, enrollments and statistics for use in long and short range planning.
  • Regularly collaborate with division chairs and program area heads, dean, graduate program directors or director on specific matters of clarification, interpretation or exception to institutional policy may be required to develop solutions to specific problems within the departments. Serve as primary point of contact between SPHHS CPE department and internal UMASS offices, including but not limited to University Relations, CPE, UMOL, other UMASS schools and colleges, disability services, veteran's services, financial aid and bursar's office.
  • Conduct national searches for new faculty.  Recruit students into the online MPH-Public Health Practice, MPH-Nutrition, and Global Health Certificate.  Plan and implement marketing activities directly aimed at recruitment. Use analysis of enrollments, student data, faculty evaluation scores and alumni survey to assist in the decision for increased/decreased staff and courses.
  • Initiate budgetary recommendations and assume fiscal responsibility for departmental activity planning. Manage department budget and establish yearly growth projections in terms of both enrollment and faculty needs. Responsible for administrative aspects of marketing and planning through resource allocation.
  • Serve as academic advisor to all students matriculated in the online Global Health Certificate and online MPH-PHP program.  Serve as secondary advisor for the students matriculated into the online MPH-Nutrition programs. Serve as primary point of contact for all students in these programs; assist with enrollment issues, degree planning, career services and advising. Work with faculty advisor and Academic Dean to address student needs as they arise.

 

Other Functions

  • Perform other duties as assigned and travel as needed.

 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Master’s degree in marketing, higher education advising, public health or a related field.
  • 3 years of experience in marketing, advising or public health.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of core principles of public health.
  • Demonstrated leadership skills that facilitate effective communication and interpersonal relationships with all constituents (students, faculty, and staff).
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Knowledge of and experience with computer software, including database systems, CLM’s, spreadsheets, and word processing.
  • Experience with PeopleSoft, Summit, and Spire.

 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

 

Additional Details

Works under the general supervision of the Executive Director of Professional Programs with minimal supervision and considerable independence, requiring personal judgement and discretion to carry out goals and objectives of the UMass SPHHS CPE programs.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

1. Number of non-student employees directly supervised:0

2. Number of non-student employees indirectly supervised:0

3. Average number of student employees supervised at any given time: 1-10

 

Work Schedule

37.5 hours/week, M-F

 

Salary Information

Professional Level 27, Exempt, PSU / MTA Union

PSU Salary Schedule

 

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit and application and cover letter

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University.  To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans.  It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.