Program Director, Pathways Programs

Tufts University; Medford (MA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts University’s University College in Medford, MA seeks a Program Director to lead the Pathways for Life Transitions portfolio and related adult education initiatives. You will oversee development, expansion, and evaluation of programs, recruit and engage alumni, and foster collaborations with faculty, students, and community partners.

Responsibilities include market research, curriculum development, stakeholder management, data reporting, and ensuring alignment with pedagogical best

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant area.
• 7-10 years of related experience, including experience in higher education.
• Significant experience developing and managing experiential learning, applied research, or client-based academic programs, ideally in a higher education setting.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in related program subject matter.
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to advancing academically rigorous, inclusive, and impactful learning experiences
• Strong project management, organizational, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, senior leadership, students, and external partners.
• Comfort using digital learning platforms, maintaining program websites, or supporting virtual learning environments.
• Demonstrated ability to design, plan and launch new educational programs.

Responsibilities

• Provides and applies advanced, specialized subject matter knowledge to develop, implement, supervise, and evaluate the programs within their portfolio.
• Lead market research efforts and design a portfolio strategy that aligns with findings
• Works closely with marketing and communications team to maintain a dynamic, student-facing web platform to promote the programs within their portfolio.
• Develops instructional materials, ensuring alignment with the school's strategy and pedagogical best practices.
• Manages the full lifecycle of the portfolio programs from design through evaluation, including space logistics, technology needs, and participant communications.
• Prepares scopes of work, timelines, and deliverable summaries for assigned programs.
• Develops, designs, writes, updates, revises, and adapts existing curricula (standardized and non-standardized) to fit the skill and knowledge of the learners.
• Applies best practices in adult learning, instructional design, accessibility, and culturally-responsiveness throughout curriculum development.
• Stays abreast of state and federal best practices in adult learning theory and implementation.
• Evaluates curriculum design and implementation.
• Leads meetings with both internal and external partners.
• Oversees student services including admissions, registration, and student academic progress, providing advice and counsel to students about program options and requirements.
• Partners with student services, academic advisors, and career services to promote opportunities and integrate them into students' academic planning.
• Leads outreach, recruitment, and selection efforts for participants to assigned programs.
• Drives alumni engagement initiatives
• Supports faculty and learners to ensure academic alignment and meaningful student experiences.
• Data Management, Reporting and Program evaluation
• Develops reporting mechanisms and dashboards to inform decisions.
• Collects and analyzes qualitative and quantitative data related to program implementation and program outcomes.
• Maintain UC's customer relationship management system, including data entry and contact management.
• Conducts research, creates reports and results. Presents information and results to school leadership.
• Identifies and implements opportunities for program improvement and expansion.
• Oversees hiring and training of staff, evaluates workflow and productivity and conducts employee performance reviews.
• Manages and analyzes budgets and prepares reports and projections. Writes grants and proposals for new funding opportunities or continued support.
• Partners with relevant colleagues on marketing, advertising, and external relations. Collaborates with marketing/communications team on content and maintenance of website and designs and evaluates social media strategy.

Skills

Market research

Curriculum design

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Overview

As part of a mission-driven institution, University College (UC) at Tufts University strives to make education accessible to all, fostering learning and engagement across a wide spectrum of audiences. UC is committed to expanding access to Tufts and transforming the lives of diverse learners across generations through innovative and high-quality educational opportunities, career acceleration, and community connections. Since our school's establishment in 2018, UC has experienced rapid growth and is planning significant expansion, including a variety of new professional non-credit credentials, high school programs, pathways, and degrees, all while broadening access to Tufts' exceptional educational offerings. UC currently offers a variety of educational content through Tufts Pre-College Programs, the Center for Professional and Workforce Impact, Flexible Online Degrees and Courses, Life Enrichment, and Pathways for Life Transitions programming. Operating in a dynamic environment, UC is positioned to become a leading presence in the greater Boston area in the next 5 years.

Our Pathways for Life Transitions portfolio is designed to support learners confidently navigate significant educational, professional, and personal transitions by combining advising, skill development, structured pathways, and connections into Tufts programs and resources. Five types of programs within this portfolio are being built and expanded: 1. Graduate School Pathways: for individuals who have decided they want to pursue graduate or professional education 2. Gateway to Graduate Education: for individuals still exploring graduate school or preparing to become competitive applicants 3. Career Transition Programs: for adults changing industries, roles, or careers 4. Career Launch & Advancement: for college seniors, graduate students, and early-career professionals 5. Living with Purpose: for: mid-to-advanced career professionals who are interested in learning about things that can be immediately applied to their lives and future planning

Complementing this work is our growing Life Enrichment portfolio, programs designed for adult learners seeking intellectual engagement, professional enrichment, or re-entry into learning without the commitment of a full degree program. These offerings reflect increasing demand for flexible, high-quality educational experiences that allow individuals to continue learning throughout their lives, whether to stay current in their field, explore new areas of interest, or engage with ideas in a meaningful way. Offerings through our Center for Professional and Workforce Impact and Online Degrees are complementary and interconnected as well, providing flexible and robust options for all lifelong learners.

What You’ll Do

The Program Director provides strategic oversight and leadership across all phases of the school's new and developing Pathways programs. With a strong foundation in adult education and experience with innovative academic offerings, the Program Director will oversee the development, expansion, and evaluation of current and new programming. This role will lead recruitment efforts, support alumni engagement, and foster collaborations across faculty, students, and community partners for this portfolio of programs.

• Provides and applies advanced, specialized subject matter knowledge to develop, implement, supervise, and evaluate the programs within their portfolio.
  • Lead market research efforts and design a portfolio strategy that aligns with findings
  • Works closely with marketing and communications team to maintain a dynamic, student-facing web platform to promote the programs within their portfolio.
  • Develops instructional materials, ensuring alignment with the school's strategy and pedagogical best practices.
  • Manages the full lifecycle of the portfolio programs from design through evaluation, including space logistics, technology needs, and participant communications.
  • Prepares scopes of work, timelines, and deliverable summaries for assigned programs.
  • Develops, designs, writes, updates, revises, and adapts existing curricula (standardized and non-standardized) to fit the skill and knowledge of the learners.
  • Applies best practices in adult learning, instructional design, accessibility, and culturally-responsiveness throughout curriculum development.
  • Stays abreast of state and federal best practices in adult learning theory and implementation.
  • Evaluates curriculum design and implementation.
  • Leads meetings with both internal and external partners.
• Oversees student services including admissions, registration, and student academic progress, providing advice and counsel to students about program options and requirements.
  • Partners with student services, academic advisors, and career services to promote opportunities and integrate them into students' academic planning.
  • Leads outreach, recruitment, and selection efforts for participants to assigned programs.
  • Drives alumni engagement initiatives
  • Supports faculty and learners to ensure academic alignment and meaningful student experiences.
• Data Management, Reporting and Program evaluation
  • Develops reporting mechanisms and dashboards to inform decisions.
  • Collects and analyzes qualitative and quantitative data related to program implementation and program outcomes. - Monitor performance, enrollment trends, and program effectiveness.
  • Maintain UC's customer relationship management system, including data entry and contact management.
  • Conducts research, creates reports and results. Presents information and results to school leadership.
• Identifies and implements opportunities for program improvement and expansion.
• Oversees hiring and training of staff, evaluates workflow and productivity and conducts employee performance reviews.
• Manages and analyzes budgets and prepares reports and projections. Writes grants and proposals for new funding opportunities or continued support.
• Partners with relevant colleagues on marketing, advertising, and external relations. Collaborates with marketing/communications team on content and maintenance of website and designs and evaluates social media strategy.

What We’re Looking For

Please note this role is initially funded for one year with a strong possibility for renewal.

Basic Requirements

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Master's degree in a relevant area.
• 7-10 years of related experience, including experience in higher education.
• Significant experience developing and managing experiential learning, applied research, or client-based academic programs, ideally in a higher education setting.
• Advanced knowledge and experience in related program subject matter.
• Advanced organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent initiatives and meet deadlines.
• Commitment to advancing academically rigorous, inclusive, and impactful learning experiences
• Strong project management, organizational, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, senior leadership, students, and external partners.
• Comfort using digital learning platforms, maintaining program websites, or supporting virtual learning environments.
• Demonstrated ability to design, plan and launch new educational programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in pathway or pipeline programs that connect learners with relevant education and career building offerings.
• Experience collecting, managing, and analyzing program-related data in educational settings.

Pay Range

Minimum $108,200.00, Midpoint $135,300.00, Maximum $162,400.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.