Program Manager for Student Success Academic Programs (Hybrid Opportunity)
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Job no: 527938
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: UG Student Success
Union: PSU
Categories: Program Administration/Management, PSU A
About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.
Job Summary
The Program Manager for Student Success Academic Programs provides management and oversight for academic initiatives in Undergraduate Student Success (UGSS) and Student Success Academic Programs (SSAP). Reporting to the Director of Student Success Academic Programs, the Program Manager leads the development, implementation, and assessment of signature programs that complement classroom and co-curricular experiences to promote student academic success. As a key member of the Student Success Academic Programs team, this position works collaboratively within the unit and with external stakeholders across campus to develop and improve initiatives that contribute to the University priorities of student success and persistence, with a focus on the new student experience and retention.
Essential Functions
- Prepares, executes, and assesses signature initiatives in Student Success Academic Programs that contribute to student academic achievement and successful transition to university life, including Residential Academic Programs (RAP), First-Year Seminars (FYS), faculty-led seminars, Living-Learning Communities, Transfer Success Seminar, and study-away opportunities.
- Serves as the primary contact for the Application RAP programs, including liaising with faculty and staff at the Schools and Colleges to coordinate recruitment efforts, manage the application process, develop event and curricular plans, and manage central events such as the RAP Luncheon and Early Arrival App RAP events. Maintains communication with RAP contacts throughout life cycle to assist with delivering high impact learning experiences for students.
- Develops and oversees centralized programming efforts such as panels, workshops, electronic/web engagement, early arrival programs, and other events and resources that contribute to and complement the SSAP signature programs. Contributes to collaborative initiatives that support first-year retention efforts and complementary classroom experiences such as field trips, speaker series, and direct student programming efforts.
- Leads recruitment efforts for all Residential Academic Programs, including both the overall RAP experience as well as individual RAP programs, by creating tailored recruitment plans, developing and distributing physical and electronic recruitment materials, and creating and facilitating presentations about RAP to various audiences.
- Manages external communications for Student Success Academic Programs, including serving as point of contact for parents and prospective students inquiring about academic programs. Develop resources and materials for the university’s advising community, including webpages, written materials, and training. Serves as the main point of contact during new student advising and course registration. Leads the regular auditing and updating of the Student Success Academic Programs’ web pages.
- Regularly assesses SSAP signature initiatives to develop metrics for program effectiveness and analyze student outcomes. Utilizes assessment results to develop action plans to address gaps in student engagement and learning for continuous improvement of initiatives. Uses assessment data to create clear reports on program success and outcomes for campus stakeholders and to make recommendations to Student Success leadership for improvements and new initiatives.
- Cultivates strong campus and community partnerships that result in high impact student experiences and continuous program development for Student Success Academic Programs’ initiatives and programs. Partners may include Residential Life, New Student and Family Programs, Enrollment Management, academic School/College leadership, academic School/College advising teams, 5 College Consortium, Office of Global Affairs, Registrar, and additional Student Affairs and Campus Life colleagues.
- Undertakes special projects as assigned.
Other Functions
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s degree plus three (3) years of related experience in higher education. Master’s degree may be substituted for two (2) years of professional experience.
- Excellent writing skills and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong working understanding of the higher education environment and academic landscape, including academic policies and regulations as well as the functions and procedures used by administrative offices to serve undergraduate students.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across administrative and academic units in support of student success.
- Ability to manage change, work in a fast-paced environment, and complete simultaneous projects within deadline constraints.
- Strong computer skills, including experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook).
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Higher Education or a related field.
- Previous experience using Salesforce, EAB Navigate, and/or Drupal.
Work Schedule
- Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
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This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
PSU Salary Level 26
Exempt Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.
The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.
Advertised: Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Eastern Daylight Time
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