Associate Director, Academic Innovation and Strategy

Seminole State College of Florida; Sanford (FL); On-site; USD 57,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Generous paid time off

Health and life insurance

Wellness incentives

FRS retirement benefits

Professional development opportunities

Free on-campus parking

Job summary

Seminole State College of Florida is seeking an Associate Director, Academic Innovation and Strategy to shape teaching, learning, and student success.

This role leads initiatives to strengthen academic programs, support faculty innovation, and align opportunities with evolving workforce and community needs. The ideal candidate turns ideas into action using data, research, and trends to improve the student experience and advance strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
• Four years of full-time experience in an educational setting, instructional technology, curriculum development, or related field.
• Two years of leadership experience focused on academic innovation or strategy.
• Experience using PeopleSoft Academic systems (preferred: scheduling, room management, course catalog, or faculty workload modules).

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies that advance academic innovation, teaching and learning, and student success.
• Identify emerging trends in higher education, technology, workforce needs, and instructional practices.
• Support development and enhancement of academic programs through market research, feasibility studies, program review, and accreditation.
• Collaborate with academic leaders, faculty, instructional design, IT, and external partners to advance innovative academic initiatives.
• Lead and support faculty development opportunities, including workshops and training.
• Coordinate grant and external funding opportunities with academic leadership and Grants Office.
• Support strategic enrollment initiatives and data-informed decision-making.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Seminole State College of Florida is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and forward-thinking Associate Director, Academic Innovation and Strategy to help shape the future of teaching, learning, and student success.

This role leads initiatives that strengthen academic programs, support faculty innovation, and align educational opportunities with evolving workforce and community needs. The Associate Director works across academic departments and with institutional partners to identify opportunities, develop new programs and initiatives, evaluate outcomes, and advance strategic priorities.

The ideal candidate is a creative problem-solver who enjoys working across teams, turning ideas into action, and using data, research, and emerging trends to improve the student experience and position academic programs for future success.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement strategies that advance academic innovation, teaching and learning, and student success in alignment with institutional priorities.
• Identify emerging trends in higher education, technology, workforce needs, and instructional practices to inform academic planning and program development.
• Support the development and enhancement of academic programs through market research, labor market analysis, feasibility studies, program review, and accreditation activities.
• Collaborate with academic leaders, faculty, instructional design, IT, workforce organizations, and external partners to advance innovative academic initiatives.
• Lead and support faculty development opportunities, including workshops, training, communities of practice, and the effective use of academic technology and tools.
• Support workforce development initiatives and technical dual enrollment opportunities that respond to regional workforce and community needs.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with industry, workforce organizations, educational institutions, and other external stakeholders.
• Coordinate grant and external funding opportunities in collaboration with academic leadership and the Grants Office.
• Support strategic enrollment initiatives by working with academic leaders to achieve enrollment and student success goals.
• Use data and outcome measures to evaluate initiatives, identify opportunities for improvement, and support data-informed decision-making.
• Coordinate special projects, events, and initiatives that advance the College’s academic priorities and strengthen external partnerships.
• Prepare reports, presentations, and communications for academic leadership and support divisional planning and reporting.
• Support students by helping connect them with appropriate resources and services throughout the admissions, enrollment, and academic experience.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
• Four years of full-time experience in an educational setting, instructional technology, curriculum development, or a related field.
• Two years of leadership experience focused on academic innovation or strategy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
• Experience using PeopleSoft Academic systems, including scheduling, room management, course catalog, or faculty workload modules.

What We’re Looking For

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Strategic thinking and the ability to translate ideas into effective initiatives and measurable outcomes.
• Strong project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate ambiguity and complex organizational challenges.
• Strong analytical and research skills, including the ability to evaluate data, trends, and workforce information.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, administrators, students, and external partners.
• Experience facilitating collaboration, building consensus, and working effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to lead training, facilitate discussions, and support professional development.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and the ability to quickly learn new technologies and collaboration tools.
• Commitment to working effectively within a diverse and multicultural environment.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position primarily works in an office environment and may require flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

We offer a minimum salary of $63,282, with salary placement based on education, relevant experience, and qualifications that meet or exceed the position requirements.

In addition to competitive compensation, Seminole State College offers an attractive total rewards package, including:

• Flexible work options and a 37.5-hour work week
• Generous paid time off, including holidays, annual and sick leave, and College breaks
• A variety of paid health and life insurance options
• Wellness incentives and free membership at the Raider Fitness Center
• Florida Retirement System (FRS) retirement benefits and other options
• Professional development opportunities and paid tuition
• Free on-campus parking

This position is not eligible for Veteran’s Preference.