"Associate Director of Extended Learning"

Job Details

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Position Title: Associate Director of Extended Learning

Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Cont Edu Prog Assoc Dir

Job Duties:

Graduate & Extended Learning expands UWL’s role in serving Wisconsin, through our work with youth and with our adult, professional, and continuing education programs. Our office is very collaborative, and our work provides the chance to interact with a diverse group of individuals. Our partners include colleagues on and off campus, instructors, and students – ranging from middle schoolers who are just learning what college is all about – to adults who seek to move forward in their careers. We play a key role in UWL’s commitment to community engagement and workforce development.

The Associate Director of Extended Learning will collaborate with diverse stakeholders on and off campus with a goal of expanding, managing, and administering UWL’s continuing education offerings, with a focus on non-credit services and programs. This will include continuous improvement to existing programs, along with the development of new programs and initiatives. The Associate Director of Extended Learning plays a central role in the development of operating policies and procedures to guide program management and the development and oversight of the non-credit programming budgets. A key responsibility is the supervision of the Programming Team, staff members who manage programs ranging from youth camps to professional development, in both credit and non-credit formats. The Associate Director of Extended Learning supports the Dean of Graduate & Extended Learning in leading the unit, serving as the primary contact for the unit when the Dean is absent or unavailable. They also serve as a collaborative member of the GEL Leadership team, providing feedback and guidance in response to questions from across the GEL Operations, Marketing and Programming Teams.

Physical Demands (walking, lifting, equipment operations, etc.)

• Basic office related work, sitting, standing, computer work, speaking
• Ability to assist with in-person events, e.g. walking, carrying materials

Working conditions and environment (i.e., necessary travel, evenings, and weekends to meet the needs of the department).

• Some in and out of town travel required to attend meetings and/or hosted events, to include some evenings and weekends
• The ability to have and maintain a valid driver’s license meeting the criteria for driving a vehicle on University/State business is required; Driver Authorization required upon hire

The review of applications starts on October 24, 2025. Applications received on or before October 24th are prioritized and review will continue until the position(s) is/are filled. Initial interviews will be conducted virtually, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus.

UW-La Crosse does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 608-785-8013.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Supervisory responsibilities

• Oversee Programming Team in responding to inquiries and completing new program opportunity assessment; select new extended learning opportunities that will serve the unit mission and grow revenue
• Oversee Programming Team in drafting labor assessments and letters of agreement in alignment with an opportunity assessment as appropriate
• Work with Programming and Operations Teams in development of operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives
• Analyze and initiate process efficiencies and improvements in collaboration with Operations staff, the Dean, and with partners on campus and in the community

Additional duties and responsibilities

• Contribute to development and evaluation of program marketing
• Assist as needed with GEL events, potentially including on-campus events and virtual conferences
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor

Fiscal responsibilities

• Continuously improve financial management and reporting structures to support decision-making about program optimization to meet unit strategic goals
• Assists Dean with developing Universities of Wisconsin Online & Professional Learning Resources (OPLR) budget forecasts, strategic plans, quarterly and year-end reporting
• Assists Dean with UWL annual budget processes by developing detailed forecast for non-credit program activity in the coming year

Networking and unit representation

• Serve as UWL representative to Universities of Wisconsin Continuing Education Executive Council
• Primary contact for the unit when Dean is absent or unavailable
• Serve as a collaborative member of the GEL Leadership team, providing feedback and guidance in response to questions from across the GEL Operations, Marketing and Programming Teams
• Support campus and community connections to grow our business

Department: Graduate & Extended Learning

Compensation: $71,700.00 / Year

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Education, Business, Administration, or related field
• Experience working in higher education
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a team-oriented work environment
• Experience in negotiation and conflict resolution
• Experience in program development, administration and assessment, including contract development
• Experience with developing budgets and financial reports
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Demonstrated technological expertise (e.g. Microsoft 365 applications, Zoom, and course management software such as Canvas, D2L, or Blackboard)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervisory or leadership experience
• Experience in developing successful partnerships
• Experience with online education and/or events, including courses, workshops, conferences or trainings
• Ability to analyze data, present it effectively, and communicate about its implications
• Marketing experience
• Familiarity with regulatory topics applicable to continuing education program management, including FERPA, HIPAA, PCI compliance, and intellectual property law

How to Apply:

Required application documents

Cover letter (that addresses the required and preferred qualifications)

CV

Contact Information:

Meredith Thomsen mthomsen@uwlax.edu