Program Director - Welding

Tulsa-Welding-School; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Refrigeration School in Phoenix, AZ seeks an experienced Education Programs Leader to recruit, train, and manage welding instructors, ensuring curricula meet industry standards and student success goals.

You will coordinate with Education leadership, oversee performance metrics, and drive retention initiatives while leveraging Canvas, CourseKey, and other learning tools in a hybrid environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and experience in related field required or equivalent.
• Strong leadership and coaching abilities with a focus on student success.
• Experience with LMS and training platforms for hybrid instruction.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment, training, and management of faculty within budget.
• Monitor instructor performance and conduct evaluations.
• Coordinate with Admissions and Education leadership for events.
• Oversee curriculum alignment with industry standards and safety.
• Ensure use of Canvas and CourseKey in instruction and grading.
• Analyze retention data and implement strategies to improve outcomes.

Skills

Field welding experience

Leadership experience

Workforce education

Operational leadership

CRM systems

Canvas for hybrid instruction

Advising and mentoring

Instructor performance management

Curriculum development

Recruitment & onboarding

Reporting & analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree (4-year)

2+ years in related field

Bachelor’s degree + 10 years preferred

Educational background equal to max credential

Higher degree for degree-granting institutions

Tools

Canvas

CourseKey

Max Knowledge

Interplay/OcuWeld

NFT101

Job description

The Refrigeration School
4210 E Washington St
Phoenix, AZ 85034, USA

Description

Position Summary:

Responsible for ensuring high levels of student and faculty satisfaction, ensuring compliance with academic policies and procedures, recruiting, training, retaining, and developing outstanding instructors, and focusing on student retention.

Responsibilities:

We are specifically seeking candidates with:

• Direct field welding experience in structural, pipe, fabrication, industrial, manufacturing, or commercial welding environments
• Experience leading welding teams, apprentices, instructors, or shop operations
• Experience in technical training, workforce development, or skilled trades education
• Strong operational leadership and coaching abilities
• Comfort using technology platforms and CRM systems to track performance, communication, and student engagement
• Passion for developing future welders and supporting student success
• Responsible for correspondence to ensure syllabi goals and phase objectives are reached and to ensure the syllabi, lesson plans, and curriculum are followed
• Monitor all handouts, videos, and text curriculum to ensure they are up to date, applied correctly, and followed consistently among all instructors (Standard Curriculum)
• Help coordinate PAC meetings with the Director of Education and the Campus President and assist in implementing any changes that result from these meetings
• Organize with the Admissions Department, outside program in-services, program contests, competitions, and demonstrations to be given at recruiting events
• Attend industry-related association meetings and serve as a board member or volunteer in the local chapter, if applicable.
• Complete weekly and/or monthly reports as directed
• Identify potential problems and solutions through effective analysis of reports
• Attend all mandatory events, including graduation
• Ensure faculty utilize Canvas to support hybrid instruction by:
• Posting instructor bios and contact information
• Delivering weekly motivational announcements
• Supporting threaded discussions and timely student responses
• Using Canvas communication tools for student messaging
• Maintaining an online gradebook with feedback for assignments
• Ensure appropriate academic advising is conducted by instructors:
• Completion of mid-phase advisement for all students
• Advising students at risk or with inconsistent attendance
• Providing weekly updates on students under SAP to Student Services/DOE
• Advising students repeating courses and reporting progress
• Addressing and documenting any safety concerns
• Monitor and manage instructor performance metrics and development:
• Review monthly metrics such as attendance, retention, and rephase rates
• Document and discuss results with faculty
• Follow progressive discipline protocols
• Ensure faculty development plans and training requirements are met annually
• Lead faculty recruitment, training, and management efforts:
• Conduct interviews, hiring and onboarding for new faculty
• Ensure completion of required training programs (Max Knowledge, Interplay/OcuWeld, NFT101)
• Train and monitor attendance tracking using CourseKey
• Manage job postings and faculty load assignments within budget
• Evaluate and coach existing faculty for growth and compliance/review instructor metrics
• Complete timely instructor observations and performance reviews
• Conduct and manage quarterly End-of-Course faculty surveys:
• Complete surveys quarterly or more frequently as needed
• Review and discuss results with instructors
• Ensure minimum 80% survey completion rate
• Upload completed surveys to designated folders
• Manage student retention and satisfaction through:
• Analyzing drop/re-enter data and identifying trends
• Creating strategies to improve retention month-over-month
• Participating in weekly LDA and re-entry meetings
• Achieving retention goals and maintaining ACCSC completion standards (Overall 85%; Program 80%)
• Consistently attend curriculum meetings and contribute to updating curriculum to align with industry standards and emerging technologies
• Ensure all established timelines and deadlines are met across assigned responsibilities

Required Knowledge, Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university and minimum two years’ experience in related field. Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of ten years related experience is strongly preferred.

For non-degree granting institutions, the individual in this role must have an educational background equal to or exceeding the maximum credential offered by the school.

For degree-granting institutions, the individual in this role must have an earned degree at least one level higher than the highest degree offered by the school.

People Responsibilities:

Directly supervises employees in the assigned program Education Department and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

Physical Environment:

Most work is performed in a temperature-controlled office environment

Incumbent may sit for long periods of time at a desk or computer terminal

Incumbent may use calculators, keyboards, telephone and other office equipment

Stooping, bending twisting, and reaching may be required

Some work may be completed in classroom or shop environment

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Education

Required

High School or better.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.