Director of Professional Studies and Online Learning

Penn Foster Group; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Penn Foster Group is seeking an Academic Director, Professional Studies to lead and oversee program areas including English, Business, Early Childhood Education, Legal Studies, Skill Trades, and cross-disciplinary coursework in online degree programs.

The role reports to the Senior Academic Director of College and Career and focuses on academic leadership, program quality, faculty oversight, and strategic growth of professional studies, with emphasis on curriculum, learner outcomes, and online

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field is required; PhD/EdD preferred.
• 5+ years of leadership experience in online or distance education.
• Proven experience managing academic programs and faculty teams.
• Experience with career-focused or workforce-aligned education programs is a plus.
• Strong understanding of online pedagogy and instructional best practices.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and oversight for the Professional Studies portfolio.
• Ensure alignment with workforce demands, accreditation standards, and institutional goals.
• Lead program evaluation and continuous improvement of online pedagogy.
• Identify opportunities for new program development and expansion.
• Oversee curriculum design, updates, and instructional quality across programs.
• Collaborate with instructional design teams to enhance learner experience and outcomes.
• Lead, mentor, and develop faculty and academic staff.
• Establish performance expectations and conduct evaluations.
• Foster a culture of accountability and learner-centered teaching.
• Monitor retention, completion, satisfaction, and employment outcomes.
• Partner with support teams to optimize the learner journey.
• Work with product, marketing, operations, and workforce partners.
• Contribute to institutional initiatives and strategic planning.
• Ensure programs meet accreditation, regulatory, and compliance requirements.
• Support audits, reporting, and accreditation reviews.

Skills

Online pedagogy

Strategic thinking

Communication

Data-driven decisions

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Education

Master’s degree in a relevant discipline

PhD or EdD preferred

Tools

Brightspace

Dynamic 365

Tableau

Job description

Penn Foster Group is seeking an Academic Director, Professional Studies to lead and oversee program areas including English, Business, Early Childhood Education, Legal Studies, Skill Trades, and cross-disciplinary coursework in online degree programs.

The role reports to the Senior Academic Director of College and Career and focuses on academic leadership, program quality, faculty oversight, and strategic growth of professional studies, with emphasis on curriculum, learner outcomes, and online