Academic Program Development Manager

The Office of the Provost is seeking candidates for an Academic Program Development Manager to join the Graduate Studies team led by the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies. This pivotal role will support the efforts within the University's 14 graduate and professional schools to establish new programs to advance the Graduate Studies strategic plan to increase enrollments in master's and professional programs. Last year, 13 new and revised programs were approved.
In collaboration with the Vice Provost of Graduate Studies, the candidate will manage the academic program planning process including consultation with the school/program, review by the University Council on Graduate Studies, and documentation of the final approval process. This individual will also lead targeted efforts to develop and communicate programming and academic policies to support initiatives such as accelerated programs, micro-credentials, and stackable programs. To do this successfully, the candidate will stay current on trends and best practices in graduate programs and enrollments nationally and internationally. To realize the Graduate Studies strategic plan and the University's Plan for Pitt to increase enrollment, the candidate will collaborate closely with our partners across the University who are specialists in market analysis, online programs, student recruitment, and branding, and will participate in the planning and implementation of university-wide workshops for relevant faculty and administrators.
The Office of the Provost - Graduate Studies Team is a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and deadlines that often shift and require both flexibility and attention to detail. The work is highly collaborative both within the Office of the Provost and across the University and requires the ability to exercise creative problem-solving.

Provides strategic direction and facilitates goals related to the education programs for the school and serves as primary contact for the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs/courses and initiatives. Contributes towards strategic planning, policy development, and best practices of program/course design. Leads the process of partnership development and initiates collaborative relationships with various state and national associations, government and community agencies, and business. Performs budgetary functions and research-based analysis.

• Manage the academic program planning proposal and review process at the graduate and professional levels. This includes executing the process as well as making recommendations for improvements to the process.
• Work with schools and other units to support the design and approval of innovative academic programs as part of the academic planning process.
• Staff the monthly University Council on Graduate Study (UCGS) meetings including develop agendas, manage online meeting logistics, maintain the member records and website content, and prepare accurate minutes.
• Serve as the team's expert on policies and procedures related to the development and modification of academic programs.
• Draft or revise policies and processes related to academic planning and program requirements, often in response to market trends in programs, i.e. stackable programs.
• Communicate and explain policies, procedures, and process to the schools.
• Maintain records on specialized program accreditation and provide annual reporting for units including the Provost Data Team, Middles States Commission on Higher Education, the Board of Trustees, and the CFO office.
• Manage the Pitt2Pitt scholarship program by supporting participating program administrators and encouraging new programs to join, collaborating with supporting units to implement and promote the program, and analyzing data to monitor the program's success.
• Key collaborations necessary for the success of the position include, but are not limited to the Center for Teaching and Learning, Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Office of the University Registrar, Data Team in the Office of the Provost, the Associate Vice Provost for Digital Education, the Associate Vice Provost for Data Science, the Graduate Marketing Team in University Communications and Marketing, the University Library System (for marketing research), each of Pitt's 4 regional campuses, and program/school leadership within all 14 graduate schools.

• Bachelor's required. Master's preferred.
• At least two years' experience in higher education related to academic programs or policy.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills appropriate for various audiences.
• Acute attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines, to perform effectively with a fluctuating workload, to be flexible and to generate creative problem-solving approaches.
• Experience using spreadsheets to collect and review program and financial data as well as making simple calculations and identifying trends. Collaborate with data analysts on more complicated questions and data sets.
• Comfortable collaborating with others on projects and tasks as both a leader and a participant.
• Willingness and eagerness to learn and grow individually and as part of team.

• Light physical effort, mostly sedentary.
• Occasional assistance with set-up for in-person special events and meetings.

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.