"Academic Director/Professor of the Practice of Public Administration and Public Policy and Data"

The Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies (SPS) is seeking an exceptional and dynamic faculty leader to serve as the Academic Director of the Public Administration and Public Policy and Data Analytics programs, starting July 1, 2026. This full-time position is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

About the School of Professional Studies

The mission of the SPS is to accelerate the professional growth of adult learners across their careers and support the talent development needs of organizations. We believe this is best achieved through the strategic partnership of industry expertise and academic excellence, embodying principles of accessibility, flexibility, and a strong market orientation. All of our programs are designed for professionals who can apply acquired skills directly to their careers and reflect best and emerging practices from the field combined with rigorous, research-based knowledge from academia.

The Academic Director's Role

This is a unique opportunity to join an innovative school that's shaping the future of professional education, built on the quality and excellence of our university. As an influential, market-connected leader and key subject-matter expert, the Academic Director will be responsible for providing academic oversight and strategic direction for our graduate Project Management and IT Management degree programs. The director will be joining a creative, mission-centered, and highly collaborative team of faculty and staff who will be supporting these programs and their students.

The director will nurture a culture of innovation and collaboration that centers on the success of our students and community partners. The director will be expected to guide the programs' strategic positioning, guarantee their market leadership, and continuously enhance their impact by ensuring the quality and relevance of the program curriculum, monitoring outcomes and seeking input from students, faculty, advisors, and other stakeholders.

As the leader of a team of practitioner-scholars, the academic director will engage with program faculty and nurture close connections with industry leaders, leveraging a deep understanding of emerging trends and best practices. This includes leading Program Advisory Boards to advance the programs and provide mentorship to students, as well as engaging deeply with IT and project management professionals in the Charlotte region to advance program goals, enhance student success, and positively impact our community.

The candidate will be ranked as a professor of the practice (non-tenure track) and is expected to teach courses within the school in at least one of the two programs they lead.

Qualifications

• A Master’s degree or higher in Public Administration, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
• Significant leadership experience in public service or a nonprofit environment, with a proven ability to lead and manage teams, formulate policy, and use data analytics for strategic decision-making.
• Demonstrated expertise in data analytics and quantitative analysis related to public administration and policy.
• Prior experience teaching online at the graduate level is required, with evidence of teaching effectiveness.
• Prior academic leadership or business managerial experience is preferred.

About the Programs

The Public Administration program is focused on developing leaders who can manage high-impact projects and policies in the public sector, nonprofit organizations, and government. We emphasize an interdisciplinary approach that balances contemporary management practices with the adaptive application of leadership skills. Our curriculum highlights the growing importance of digital transformation, sustainability, and equity in shaping impactful change within communities.

The Public Policy and Data Analytics program equips professionals to integrate data analytics with human-centered public policy. The program is distinguished by its focus on translating complex data into practical policy insights that directly benefit individuals and communities. This requires a human-centered approach to data leadership that emphasizes ethical data use and a focus on data storytelling for policy influence, equipping graduates to communicate compelling narratives that inspire action.

This joint leadership role presents a unique opportunity to build synergies between two critical fields. The director will guide leaders who can not only manage complex public service issues but also leverage data to create equitable, transparent, and effective policy. This role requires a leader who is passionate about both the art of public leadership and the science of data-driven decision-making.

Application Procedure

Review of applications will begin immediately. The following materials should be submitted: letter of application, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, and evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as course evaluations and comparative benchmarks). Formal transcripts will be required before a hiring offer can be made. Applications that include all required information and are submitted on or before November 1, 2025 will be given full consideration. To apply, visit: https://hr.wfu.edu/careers/. Inquiries about the position should be addressed to askhr@wfu.edu.