Director - Centre for Professional and Continuing Education (60129)

Sunway University; Subang Jaya; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution based in Malaysia is seeking a Director for its Centre for Professional and Continuing Education. The role involves providing strategic leadership, overseeing program development, and driving business growth within lifelong education. The successful candidate must have a Master’s degree, significant senior leadership experience, and a track record in business development within the educational sector. This position offers the opportunity to lead innovative learning pathways and enhance industry partnerships.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience in education.
• Proven partnerships and revenue growth experience.
• Experience in online and blended learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic planning for lifelong learning at PACE.
• Oversee day-to-day operations, including budgeting.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and MQA regulations.

Skills

Business development acumen

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership skills

Strategic planning

Data-driven decision making

Education

Master’s Degree in Education or related field

Doctoral qualification (PhD or EdD)

Tools

Data analytics

Learning management systems

Job description

Director - Centre for Professional and Continuing Education (60129)

The Director of Centre for Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and external engagement to advance Sunway University’s lifelong and lifewide learning agenda. The role is accountable for business development, partnership growth, and revenue generation across micro-credentials, executive education, professional and short courses, and alternative pathways to higher education, including Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).

The postholder will lead the design, delivery, and scaling of market-responsive programmes through blended, fully online (via the Sunway XceEd Lifelong Learning Platform), and face-to-face modes, positioning PACE as Sunway University’s primary business development and partnership engine for lifelong learning. Working closely with the Office of Education, Employability and Alumni Strategy (OEEAS) and other university units, the Director will strengthen industry and employer engagement, support employability and alumni strategies, and ensure sustainable growth with strong governance and quality assurance.

Responsibilities

1. Lifelong and Lifewide Learning & Portfolio Development

Lead the strategic planning and growth of PACE in alignment with national priorities and Sunway University’s mission.

Drive the development of micro-credentials, stackable pathways, executive education, professional programmes, and short courses.

Ensure programmes are market-responsive and aligned with workforce needs.

2. Sunway XceEd Lifelong Learning Platform

Provide strategic oversight of the Sunway XceEd Lifelong Learning Platform.

Support and enable employers and industry partners to deliver customised workforce programmes via dedicated microsites.

Ensure quality learning design, learner experience, scalability, and sustainability.

Work with OEEAS to support employability, workforce upskilling, and co-designed programmes.

Build and maintain partnerships with industry, employers, professional bodies, government agencies, and community organisations.

Position PACE as a trusted partner for industry-led talent development and continuous professional education.

4. Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

Provide leadership and oversight of the APEL Unit.

Ensure governance, compliance, and quality assurance of APEL processes while expanding and scaling the provision in line with Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), and other approved pathways.

Promote APEL as a pathway for working adults, industry professionals, and non-traditional learners to access higher learning, and drive its commercial growth through industry engagement, employer partnerships, and workforce-focused enrolment strategies.

5. Operational & Governance

Oversee day-to-day operations of PACE, including planning, budgeting, staffing, and performance management.

Ensure compliance with institutional policies, MQA regulations, and quality standards; collaborate with Schools/ Faculties on programme approval, accreditation and quality reviews.

Establish and monitor KPIs related to enrolment, learner outcomes, graduate employability, and industry engagement.

6. Collaboration & Institutional Alignment

Collaborate with key university units to support education, employability, alumni, and lifelong/lifewide learning strategies.

Contribute to institution-wide strategic initiatives and implementation.

7. Data, Analytics & Reporting

Lead data-driven and evidence-based decision-making through analysis of learner’s data, market trends, and programme performance for continuous improvement.

Prepare reports and strategic insights for senior leadership to inform growth and risk management.

8. People & Capability Development

Lead, mentor, and develop the PACE team.

Build staff capability in lifelong and lifewide learning design, industry engagement, digital delivery, and APEL operations.

9. Others

Represent Sunway University in relevant lifelong and lifewide learning and professional education forums.

Support special projects in OEEAS.

Requirements

Master’s Degree in Education, Higher Education Management, Educational Leadership, or a related field. Doctoral qualification (PhD or EdD) is an advantage.

Minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience in lifelong and lifewide learning, professional or executive education.

Proven business development or commercial experience, including partnerships and revenue growth in the education landscape.

Experience in online and blended learning environments, and tertiary education teaching and learning operations.

Experience with APEL or alternative learning pathways is desirable.

Strong commercial and business development acumen, strategic, and organisational capability.

Entrepreneurial outlook, excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

Ability to manage complexity and multiple priorities.

Visionary, collaborative, and action-oriented leadership style.

High integrity, professionalism, and commitment towards institutional impact and quality.

We thank all applicants for expressing their interest in this vacancy. Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be notified.