Program Manager, Wirth Center for Professional Development

Program Manager, Wirth Center for Professional Development

St. John's, established in 1870, has two New York City campuses; international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The Princeton Review and other top rankings consistently recognize the University's outstanding academics, diverse student body, dynamic internship, and volunteer opportunities, focus on student life, and diverse study abroad offerings. St. John's University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges and schools, with a growing number of programs offered online. The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and 12 other major academic and professional associations.

A dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of our mission. As a Catholic and Vincentian university, St. John's is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community. We will become an even stronger university as we enhance equity at every level of our institution. Our graduates will excel in the competencies and values needed for leadership and service in a rapidly evolving world.

Department: The Peter J. Tobin College of Business

Specific Job Title: Program Manager, Wirth Center for Professional Development

Reports to: Assistant Dean for Student Services, Tobin College of Business

Campus: Queens

Job Summary:

The Program Manager of the Wirth Center for Professional Development plays a critical operational and student-facing role in advancing the professional readiness, career preparation, and experiential learning outcomes of undergraduate business students. Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Student Services and working closely with the Center Lead, the Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day execution, coordination, and assessment and continuous improvement of all Center professional development activities.

This position ensures that professional development programming is delivered consistently, equitably, and at scale across the undergraduate business population while independently evaluating student learning outcomes, developing assessment frameworks, exercising judgement to adapt program content in response to student performance and feedback, and maintaining high standards of accountability, student engagement, and outcome measurement.

Essential Functions:

• Oversee the daily operations and ongoing development of Center professional development initiatives, ensuring smooth implementation across semesters.
• Coordinate logistics for workshops, panels, networking events, site visits, competitions, and experiential learning activities while contributing to content development, structure, and delivery models.
• Manage event calendars, room scheduling, registrations, communications, and on-site execution.
• Serve as the primary operational contact for students participating in required or structured professional development activities.
• Verify student attendance, participation, and completion of required professional development activities.
• Independently evaluate and assess student submissions, reflections, and deliverables, exercising judgment in determining student progress and learning outcomes.
• Maintain accurate records of student engagement, participation rates, and completion metrics.
• Design, administer, and interpret outcome-based assessments tied to defined professional competencies and program goals.
• Analyze assessment results and student performance data to recommend and implement modifications to program content and delivery.
• Help ensure a professional, well-organized experience for all external participants engaging with students.
• Contribute to the preparation of annual reports summarizing activities, participation levels, learning outcomes, and program effectiveness for students and faculty.
• Preserve internal documentation and data systems that support transparency, continuous improvement, and accreditation needs.
• Assist the Lead with operational aspects of budget management related to professional development programming.
• Monitor program-level expenses and ensure alignment with approved allocations.
• Identify operational efficiencies and process improvements to support sustainable program growth.

Competencies:

• Ability to:
  • plan, coordinate, and execute professional development initiatives efficiently and consistently across semesters and student cohorts.
  • manage required student participation, communicate expectations clearly, and enforce completion standards fairly and consistently.
  • collect, analyze, and maintain data related to student participation, learning outcomes, and program effectiveness to support reporting and continuous improvement.
  • communicate clearly and professionally with students, faculty, alumni, employers, and campus partners.
  • use and adapt to technology platforms and systems that support program delivery, tracking, and reporting.
  • commit to evaluating programs, incorporating feedback, and improving quality, efficiency, and student outcomes.

Work Environment:

This position operates in a professional office environment. This position requires the use of standard office equipment such as personal computers, printers, etc.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the Program Manager must occasionally stand; move about; sit; to carry work and use controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; communicate. The Program Manager must occasionally lift or move up to 20 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the Program Manager include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus, etc.

Environmental Conditions:

This work environment does not have any unique conditions, i.e. noise, fumes, odors, gases, dust, hazards, etc.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This Program Manager position is full time and the expected days and hours of work are Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This position may require long hours and weekend work.

Travel:

Travel is primarily local and may include visits to the Manhattan campus.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred (higher education administration, business, student affairs, or related field).
• 3-5 years of experience in higher education, student affairs, career services, experiential learning, or a related professional development role.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Experience working directly with undergraduate students in structured programs or required activities.
• Demonstrated ability to track participation, manage data, and support assessment or reporting efforts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High level of professionalism, attention to detail, and reliability.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting or administering professional development, career readiness, or experiential learning programs.
• Familiarity with learning management systems, event registration platforms, and student tracking tools.
• Comfort working with alumni, employers, and external partners.
• Experience grading or evaluating student work in a co-curricular or applied learning context.
• Interest in scalable, data-driven approaches to student success and career readiness.

In compliance with NYC's Pay Transparency Act, the annual salary range for this position is $66,300 - $71,000. St. John's University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.