Director, Program Experience Futures

Director, Program Experience Futures

Company:
Western Governors University

Job Location:

Category:
Curriculum Design

Type:
Full-Time

Job Type: Full time

Job Number: JR-024128

Location: Salt Lake City, UT

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Management_Executive 611 Pay Range: $141,900.00 - $255,500.00

Job Description

The Director of the Program Experience Futures team plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of curriculum and assessment strategies. This leadership position is accountable for envisioning, planning, and implementing innovative approaches to enhance the overall program experience for our diverse student body. The Director oversees a spectrum of responsibilities aimed at fostering an enriching educational environment including personalized learning solutions to ensuring ethical and accessible compliance.

The Director of the Program Experience Futures team plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of curriculum and assessment strategies. This leadership position is accountable for envisioning and planning innovative approaches to enhance the overall program experience for our diverse student body. The Director oversees a spectrum of responsibilities aimed at fostering an enriching educational environment, including personalized learning solutions to ensuring ethical and accessible compliance.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Develop visionary strategies for the evolution of curriculum and assessment methodologies.
• Collaborate with academic stakeholders to integrate emerging trends and technologies into program experiences.
• Assess and evaluate potential solutions for curriculum enhancement and educational technology integration.
• Oversee the seamless integration of selected solutions into existing educational frameworks.
• Spearhead the design and implementation of personalized learning solutions tailored to student needs and preferences.
• Utilize data-driven insights to optimize personalized learning experiences across diverse student demographics.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of educational technologies and data analytics in program development.
• Uphold standards of academic integrity and privacy in all aspects of program experience planning.
• Ensure compliance with legal regulations and accessibility standards in program design and delivery.
• Champion accessibility initiatives to ensure equitable access to educational resources for all students.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the Program Experience Futures team.
• Foster a culture of professional development and continuous learning among team members.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with external stakeholders and educational technology vendors.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to leverage expertise and resources in program development initiatives.
• Establish metrics and benchmarks to evaluate the effectiveness of program experience enhancements.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts based on feedback, data analysis, and industry best practices.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

• In-depth knowledge of current trends and best practices in online higher education.
• Strong understanding of curriculum development, assessment methodologies, and learning theories.
• Proficiency in evaluating and integrating educational technologies and data analytics solutions.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to navigate complex regulatory and compliance requirements in higher education.
• Experience in staff development, team building, and fostering a culture of innovation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a focus on continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and refining educational programs, courses, and curricula within the higher education sector.
• Understanding of accreditation standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices related to program development and institutional compliance.
• Proven ability to design and assess curriculum effectiveness, learning outcomes, and student engagement strategies, particularly within a Competency-based Education model.
• Knowledge of adult learning theories and principles, including instructional design methodologies tailored to adult learners in diverse academic settings.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with academic departments, faculty members, subject matter experts, and instructional designers to develop and deliver high-quality educational programs.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, manage project timelines, and ensure alignment with departmental goals and objectives.
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation to inform program development decisions, assess program efficacy, and identify areas for continuous improvement.
• Clear and concise communication skills, with the ability to articulate program objectives, outcomes, and value propositions to internal and external stakeholders.
• Willingness to explore innovative approaches to program development, incorporate emerging technologies, and adapt to evolving trends and student needs in higher education.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Instructional Design, or related field
• 10 years of specific experience which includes a minimum of 5-7 years leading a team.
• 5 or more years of experience in higher education administration, curriculum development, or instructional design.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully managing complex projects and initiatives within a higher education setting.
• Experience with online learning platforms, learning management systems (LMS), and educational technologies used in online and hybrid learning environments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in Education, Instructional Design, or related field.
• Experience working in a leadership role within an online higher education institution.
• Familiarity with industry standards and frameworks for online learning and educational technology.
• Previous experience in designing and implementing personalized learning solutions.
• Experience in grant writing, fundraising, or securing external funding for educational initiatives.

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.

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