Director, Lifelong Learning Institute

• 20001952
• School of Professional & Continuing Education
• Director / Unit Head
• Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)
• Opening on: Apr 7 2026
• Academic Affairs
• 100684 - Outreach & Engagement - LLI
  
  

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Working Title: Director, Lifelong Learning Institute

State Role Title: Administrative and Professional Faculty

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: School of Professional & Continuing Education

Department: 100684 - Outreach & Engagement - LLI

Pay Band: N/A

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: 70,000 - 78,000

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 5/8/2026

About JMU

Mission

We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision

To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are

Situated in the heart of Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is a vibrant community with a population of approximately 52,000. Harrisonburg is conveniently located approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA.

JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and supportive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 21,000 undergraduate and 1,800 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information

JMU’s School of Professional & Continuing Education (SPCE) fosters learning across lifespans through transformative education and enrichment. SPCE offers a range of programs, including youth camps, adult degree completion, professional and workforce development, and lifelong learning, as well as partners with academic units across JMU to support a number of online or off-campus degree and certificate programs. This director position provides leadership and direction for the Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI).

Duties And Responsibilities

Program Development and Administration

• Manage and oversee all aspects of program operation, including viability, evaluation, membership, course planning, marketing, and technology
• Oversee recruitment activities to grow the membership
• Manage volunteer leadership, including advisory board and committees, talent development pipelines, and serving as ex-officio member of the advisory board and all standing committees
• Lead fundraising efforts for LLI priorities, including cultivating donors, securing sponsorship, and pursuing new philanthropic and revenue-generating opportunities
  
  

Curriculum Development

• Ensure curriculum is varied, balanced and responsive. Work with curriculum committee to solicit and curate content each semester, and work with marketing team to develop and publish course catalogs
• Oversee scheduling and program coordination details
  
  

Community and University Relations and Outreach

• Enhance relationships with campus and community partners
• Partner with community organizations and agencies to co-sponsor programs
• Represent LLI in the community and across JMU on various committees
• Work with marketing team to develop and continuously enhance promotional materials, newsletter content, etc.
• Participate in the regional and national networks of lifelong learning programs
  
  

Membership and Marketing

• Develop tools and processes to assess and respond to member needs
• Establish and model a high standard of customer service for all member interactions, ensuring a welcoming and responsive experience that reflects the values of SPCE and JMU
• Proactively address member concerns and feedback, implementing systems and practices that enhance satisfaction, strengthen retention, and foster a sense of community and belonging among members
  
  

Qualifications

• Program management experience including: program design, implementation, and evaluation; budget development and/or implementation; project management.
• Significant experience at the director level or equivalent
• Supervisory experience
• Ability to work with a team
• Excellent written and oral communication including presentation experience to a wide range of stakeholders
• Fundraising and/or grant writing experience preferred
• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree in a relevant field preferred
• Management of a membership-based organization preferred
  
  

Additional Posting Information

JMU’s Dual Career and Community Resources Program is available for candidates that will be relocating to the area. For more information, please visit https://bit.ly/2OTF1NG.

Conditions Of Employment

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.