Graduate Program Manager

Job Description

The Virginia Tech Academy of Data Science (ADS) seeks a highly organized, student-centered Graduate Program Manager to support the Master of Science in Data Science (MSDS) degree program in this newly created role. Reporting to the Director of the Academy of Data Science, the Graduate Program Manager serves as the primary administrative, operational, and student-facing contact for the MSDS program. The manager plays a critical role in ensuring smooth program operations, exceptional student experience, effective communication among stakeholders, and compliance with university, Graduate School, and accreditation policies.

The MSDS program is an in-person program on the Blacksburg, VA Campus and a low-residency program on the Greater DC Campus serving a diverse population of students, including traditional graduate students, early-career professionals, working adults, and students in accelerated (4+1) pathways. The manager will work closely with faculty, academic advisors, Graduate School staff, and campus partners to support recruitment, admissions, enrollment, progression, and graduation. The Graduate Program Manager will be onsite during the initial six months of the position to ensure the most effective training in a college setting is received for the position. The role may transition to up to one day of teleworking per week at the conclusion of the initial training period.

A successful MS DS Graduate Program Manager:

• Serves as the operational backbone of the MSDS program, coordinating across faculty, the Graduate School, and university partners to support the academic, recruitment, and student success missions of the Academy of Data Science. Strong organizational skills and meticulous attention to detail are essential to managing the day-to-day administration of a complex, multi-track graduate program.
• Is a skilled communicator and relationship builder with an emphasis on service excellence. Professional written and verbal communication are essential to this position, ensuring that prospective students, current students, and faculty receive timely, accurate, and welcoming support at every stage of the program lifecycle.
• Understands and reinforces process integrity and compliance in a professional manner. Faculty and students will look to this role for structured guidance on program requirements, policies, and university systems, as well as the development and documentation of processes that support a growing program.
• Champions student success and community engagement by supporting outreach, recruitment, and yield efforts that broaden participation in graduate data science education across communities and career backgrounds.
• Is energized by a dynamic and innovative environment. Flexibility and adaptability are essential as the MSDS program continues to grow and introduce new initiatives, requiring creative problem-solving and a proactive approach to change.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (education, administration, communications, or related discipline).
• Demonstrated experience in academic program coordination, higher education administration, or student services.
• Experience working with student information systems, application management systems, and/or learning management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field (education, administration, communications, or related discipline).
• Experience supporting graduate programs, online or hybrid programs, or professional master's degrees.
• Familiarity with graduate admissions processes and policies.
• Experience with data reporting, dashboards, or basic analytics to support program decision-making

We recognize that experience comes in many forms. If you meet the required qualifications and are interested in the role, we encourage you to apply-even if you don't meet every preferred qualification.

Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type
Regular

Salary Information
Starting at $68,000-commensurate with experience

Hours per week
40 hours - exempt position

Review Date
04/27/2026

Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

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