"Director of Online Education - Office of Undergrad Education"

Director of Online Education - Office of Undergrad Education

About University at Albany:

Established in 1844 and designated a University Center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany's broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service engages a diverse student body of more than 17,000 students in nine schools and colleges across three campuses. Located in Albany, New York, New York State's capital, the University is convenient to Boston, New York City, and the Adirondacks.

Job Description:

The Director of Online Education provides strategic leadership and coordination for the development, delivery, and continuous improvement of online academic programs at the University at Albany. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Academic Innovation and Student Success, the Director leads efforts to expand access to high-quality online learning opportunities, strengthen student success and engagement, and ensure operational excellence across all aspects of UAlbany's online education portfolio.

The Director will collaborate with academic schools and colleges to coordinate and support strategic online expansion, utilizing market research to identify critical program offerings and areas for growth. This position works collaboratively with university partners in marketing, advising, enrollment management, financial aid, and technology services, to advance institutional goals for innovation, equity, and student achievement in online learning. The Director is charged with meeting growing demand for flexible learning options while ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and working toward SUNY Online+ designation for UAlbany programs. The Director will explore innovative enrollment approaches such as carousel admission models, and work closely with Undergraduate Admissions, Advising and Student Success teams to strengthen online pipelines, enhance retention strategies, and improve engagement metrics.

Primary Responsibilities:

Program Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive online learning and student success strategy that advances degree completion, course success, retention, engagement, and satisfaction for online learners.
• Lead cross-institutional collaboration to achieve scalability in enrollment, course availability, delivery, and student support services.
• Partner with schools and colleges to sustain the growth of existing online programs and support the development of new online degrees, pathways, and courses.
• Responsible for the master schedule and closely tracking online course enrollment to ensure alignment between capacity, demand, and student needs.
• Recommend, develop, and lead initiatives that enhance online student success and bridge access gaps for diverse student populations.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Advising, Financial Aid, and academic departments to optimize recruitment, retention, and overall student success in online programs.

Assessment and Continuous Improvement

• Develop and implement assessment strategies to evaluate the effectiveness of fully online programs and related student support services.
• Drive innovation in online education through the integration of research, emerging technologies, and best practices in digital learning.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards, federal and state regulations, and SUNY and NC-SARA requirements related to online programming.

Policy and Structure

• Coordinate the implementation of new policies, procedures, and reporting structures to maintain compliance and operational efficiency.
• Develop and maintain documentation, workflows, and resource guides to support consistency and institutional knowledge retention in online program management.
• Monitor trends and emerging technologies in online education to recommend innovative approaches that enhance engagement, accessibility, and retention.

Supervision

• Lead and manage direct reports/team providing guidance, support, and performance feedback to assure goals, programs, activities, and personnel practices are consistent with and contribute to the University's mission.
• Lead employees for maximum performance and dedication, fostering a positive and productive work environment. Complete performance management feedback and goals timely and per requirements, offering constructive feedback and developing improvement plans.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships:

• Reports to Vice Provost for Academic Innovation and Student Success
• Supervises the following positions: Coordinator of Online Student Success

Job Requirements:

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and decision-making abilities to interact effectively with faculty, staff, and students.
• Ability to adapt to various changes in workflows, keeping stakeholders informed and engaged.
• Ability to review, understand, and interpret accreditation standards and regulatory compliance requirements associated with distance education
• Ability to create and implement systems, procedures and processes required.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• 5 to 7 years of relevant experience
• Experience in online education, adult learning, online educational trends and/or new program development.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing new strategies, assessing effectiveness, and adjusting as necessary.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• 7 to 10 years of experience in higher education
• Experience collaborating with Deans, Department Chairs, and Faculty members on program development.

Working Environment:

Typical office environment

Additional Information:

Professional Rank and Salary Grade: Senior Staff Associate, SL5, $95,000-$100,000

Special Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that UAlbany is not an E-Verify employer.

Application Instructions:

Applicants MUST submit the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover letter stating all the required minimum qualifications and any of the applicable preferred qualifications
• List of 3 professional references with e-mail addresses and telephone numbers

Note: After submitting your resume, the subsequent pages give you instructions for uploading additional documents (i.e. cover letter etc.).

A review of applications will start on January 16, 2026, and the search will remain open until the position is filled.

Please apply online