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Academic Programs Manager - Department of Communication (43 week position - Hybrid Opportunity)

Apply now (https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/822/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=525840&lJobSourceTypeID=801&sLanguage=en-us) Job no: 525840

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department:Communication

Union:PSU

Categories: Administrative & Office Support, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

The Department of Communication Academic Programs Manager manages the enrollment and course scheduling functions for undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

Essential Functions

• Confers with the Chair, Associate Chair, Undergraduate and Graduate Program Directors, and Director of Undergraduate Advising to determine optimal course offerings each semester with available resources. Determines sequence progress and effectiveness and makes recommendations concerning changes or updates to curriculum and course descriptions. Manages the complex course, exam, and review session schedules, by overseeing the timely development of the Department schedule for all undergraduate and graduate programs in light of full- and part-time faculty appointments, academic requirements and sequences, and enrollment fluctuations.

• Utilizes the University scheduling system to schedule classes, meetings, and rooms on campus and advise the Chair about space considerations. Oversees Department submission to the University Catalog management system. Attends College and University meetings related to academic course scheduling.

• Creates, tests, and improves data collection systems for scheduling. Reviews and analyzes enrollment data for undergraduate and graduate programs. Produces reports for the Chair, Associate Chair, Undergraduate and Graduate Program Director, and Director of Undergraduate Advising. Contributes to the development and implementation of procedures and guidelines for scheduling decisions, student enrollment priority policies, and administrative procedures to accomplish program objectives and goals.

• Reviews and completes faculty requests for student enrollment overrides. Advises departmental leadership on issues of classroom space options and the curriculum revision process. Manages course and curriculum changes through the Faculty Senate approval system and oversees Department submissions to the University Catalog management system.

• Supports the management of online courses through scheduling and enrollment management.

  Other Functions

• Supports a variety of special projects based on Departmental needs and other duties as assigned by supervisors showing adaptability and flexibility to accomplish goals.  

• Serves in a back-up role for other Department staff as appropriate and needed. 

  Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's Degree and one year of managerial or program administration experience, or Associate Degree and four years of managerial or program administration experience.

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with the ability to create and maintain harmonious relationships with a diverse population of staff, faculty, students and off-campus constituents and work both independently and to be part of an effective team. 

• Flexibility to work with initiative and willingness to take on a variety of tasks related to the successful operation and administration of the unit. Ability to work effectively under pressure and varying situations with independence, competent judgment, and discretion. 

• Extensive organizational skills and attention to detail with the ability to complete assignments in a timely manner, balancing the demands of concurrent and potentially competing projects. 

• Excellent writing skills with the ability to effectively communicate critical messaging to a student audience.

• Ability to collect data from multiple sources and create new reports that add value to program goals. Excellent computer usage skills including email, spreadsheets (including formulas), word processing, and databases. 

• Ability to investigate a situation, seek out additional information, and resolve discrepancies. Ability to think through problems, organize information, identify key factors and underlying causes to generate solutions. 

• Ability to read, understand, apply, and explain rules, regulations and policies/procedures related to duties. Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions and create effective and efficient work processes. Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain confidentiality. 

  Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with social media platforms and Drupal web systems.  

• Experience in marketing and/or event development and implementation. 

• Experience working in a higher education environment preferred. 

  Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office work environment.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.

• This is a 43-week position.

• Occasional night or weekend hours may be required.

• 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.

  Salary Information

• Salary Level 25.

• Exempt Hiring Ranges. (https://www.umass.edu/hr/documents/exempt-hiring-ranges)

  Special Instructions to Applicants

Upload your cover letter and resume, along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised: Dec 6 2024 Eastern Standard Time

Applications close: Mar 9 2025 Eastern Daylight Time