Academic Program Manager

University of Utah; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative and motivated Program Manager is sought to enhance student services at a prestigious academic institution. This role focuses on delivering exceptional student experiences, managing program operations, and fostering collaboration among students, faculty, and alumni. The ideal candidate will thrive in a dynamic environment, demonstrating strong problem-solving abilities and effective communication skills. With a commitment to student engagement and academic support, you will play a crucial role in driving continuous improvement within the program. Join a dedicated team that values diversity and is passionate about providing quality education and support to students from all backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related area plus three years of experience required.
• Demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the program and manage student engagement.
• Provide personalized advising to students on academic issues.
• Support recruiting and admissions efforts for prospective students.

Skills

Customer Service

Interpersonal Skills

Problem-Solving

Communication Skills

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Monday through Friday, occasional nights and weekends as needed to support students, classes, or events.

This job is considered ‘essential,’ requiring the employee to work on campus.

VP Area: VP Area Academic Affairs

Department: Department 00033 - Executive Education

Location: Location Campus, Salt Lake City, UT

Type of Recruitment: External Posting

Pay Rate Range: $60,000 to $70,000

Close Date: 06/01/2025

Job Summary: The Graduate Business Programs at the David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah, is seeking an innovative and motivated Program Manager to join our team. In this student-centered and results-driven role, you will be instrumental in delivering outstanding student services and enhancing the overall student experience. As a key contributor, you will support the program’s growth, uphold its high standards, and drive continuous improvement. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong passion for fostering student engagement, providing academic support, and optimizing program operations to ensure an exceptional academic journey for students. This position requires significant interaction with prospective and current students, alumni, faculty, and university staff, necessitating effective collaboration, coordination, project management, and teamwork.

Responsibilities:

Program Operations & Student Experience:

• Oversee and manage the day-to-day operations of the program, including general office and project management, ensuring seamless coordination of program activities and efficient use of resources.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the student experience, focusing on engagement, academic support, and community building, including planning and executing student engagement events and orientation.
• Foster a collaborative environment among students, faculty, and alumni, building a vibrant and supportive program community.
• Manage course schedules, classroom resources, and Canvas learning platforms, ensuring high-quality education delivery.
• Participate in strategic planning and curriculum development, contributing to the overall direction of the program.
• Collaborate with campus partners, including admissions and career services, to enhance student engagement and support initiatives.
• Address student concerns and issues, offering appropriate resources and support.
• Continuously evaluate and refine program processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, contributing to a positive and impactful student journey.
• Attend classes occasionally to provide faculty support and connect with students.

Student Advising and Retention:

• Provide personalized advising to students, offering guidance on academic issues such as course planning, registration, and graduation requirements.
• Monitor student progress, including tracking GPA, identifying students facing academic challenges, and developing improvement plans in collaboration with faculty.
• Implement proactive strategies to support student success and retention, including managing student leaves of absence, tracking pathway students, and ensuring timely graduation approvals.
• Lead the onboarding and orientation process for new students, ensuring they receive the necessary resources, information, and support for a successful start.
• Collect and analyze student feedback through entry and exit surveys to identify opportunities for program improvement and implement necessary enhancements.

Recruiting & Admissions:

• Support recruiting and admissions efforts by engaging with prospective students and providing detailed program information.
• Collaborate with the admissions team to develop and execute strategies for attracting and enrolling high-quality candidates.
• Develop and manage pre-onboarding sessions and implement proactive strategies to enhance student retention.
• Represent the program at recruiting events to promote the program and attract prospective students.

Budget Management:

• Oversee program budgets, including forecasting expenditures and monitoring expenses to ensure fiscal responsibility and alignment with program objectives.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a related area plus three years of experience in budget, grant and program management or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience) required. Develops and implements program ideas into successful academic and research programs; demonstrated human relations and effective communication skills also required.

Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences:

• Exceptional customer service, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills.
• Proven ability to problem-solve in a fast-paced environment and deliver results.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks independently and efficiently.
• Excellent oral, written, and telephone communication skills.
• Coachable and collaborative, with a willingness to embrace new ideas.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.

Additional Information:

The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at [phone] for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at [phone] or [phone] or University Human Resource Management at [phone] if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.

This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment.