"Executive Director, Digital Campus and Learning Technologies"

Job Summary

The Executive Director for Digital Campus and Learning Technologies provides strategic and operational leadership to advance Mercy University’s mission of transforming students’ lives through innovation, access, and excellence in online education. The Executive Director leads the University’s vision for high-quality, student-centered digital learning by guiding the design, development, and continuous improvement of online and hybrid offerings in partnership with faculty. This role integrates emerging technologies, innovative pedagogies, and cross-campus collaboration to enhance teaching and learning outcomes while expanding Mercy’s reach and impact.

The Executive Director works closely with the Provost, Deans, faculty, and campus partners to support program growth, ensure compliance with accreditation standards, and create a cohesive digital learning ecosystem aligned with Mercy’s strategic priorities.

Essential Job Functions & Responsibilities

Innovation and Strategic Planning

• Lead University-wide initiatives to identify, pilot, and implement emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) in support of innovative teaching and learning.
• Partner with academic leadership to develop new online degree and certificate programs that align with student and workforce needs.
• Encourage and support pedagogical research focused on best practices in digital learning and student engagement.
• Develop and execute a long-term strategic plan that positions Mercy as a national leader in accessible, innovative digital education.

Collaboration and Outreach

• Foster collaboration among faculty to share strategies, innovations, and solutions related to online instruction.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with industry and community organizations to incorporate real-world applications and experiential learning opportunities into Mercy’s online curriculum.
• Partner with Provost office and compliance offices to develop materials and documentation for program approval, assessment, and external review processes.

Program Growth and Enrollment

• Lead strategic initiatives to increase enrollment and retention in Mercy’s online and hybrid programs.
• Develop a unified framework for asynchronous course delivery that ensures consistency, quality, and accessibility across all programs.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Marketing, and Student Affairs to design a seamless and engaging online student experience from recruitment to graduation.
• Identify, cultivate, and manage partnerships with external organizations—including employers, professional associations, workforce development agencies, and community-based groups—to create new enrollment pipelines for online portfolio.
• Monitor external partnership performance through agreed-upon enrollment KPIs and adjust partnership strategies to maximize lead generation and conversion.

Faculty and Student Support

• Oversee instructional design services and provide faculty with expert support in developing engaging, outcomes-based online courses.
• Create and lead professional development opportunities focused on innovative teaching practices, inclusive design, and digital pedagogy.
• Coordinate student orientation and technical support to ensure all online learners are prepared for academic success.

Course Development and Management

• Maintain high standards for quality assurance, accessibility, and continuous improvement across all online and hybrid courses.
• Oversee multimedia production, content updates, and alignment with institutional learning goals.
• Implement data-informed course review processes to enhance instructional quality and student learning outcomes.

Technology and Infrastructure

• Lead a team responsible for the administration and optimization of Mercy’s Learning Management System (LMS) and related digital learning tools.
• Evaluate, adopt, and integrate educational technologies that improve learning effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Use data analytics and predictive modeling to identify trends, support at-risk students, and improve overall student outcomes.

Compliance and Accreditation

• Ensure that all online and hybrid instruction meet accreditation, federal, and state regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with Institutional Research, the Office of Assessment, and Academic Affairs to demonstrate compliance and continuous improvement in digital learning.
• Stay current with national standards and best practices in online learning accreditation and quality assurance.

Required Skills & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Instructional Technology, Higher Education Administration, or related field.
• 5 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in digital learning, online education, or instructional technology within higher education.
• Demonstrated success in developing and scaling online programs with supporting operations, including call center management.
• Strong knowledge of instructional design principles, learning management systems, and data analytics tools.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively across academic and administrative units.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a related field.
• Experience with regional and programmatic accreditation processes.
• Experience leading innovation or transformation initiatives within a higher education context.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.

Key Competencies

• Ability to execute in a team environment Strategic and innovative thinking
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership
• Commitment to access, equity, and student success
• Data-informed decision making
• Excellent written and verbal communication