Senior Program Manager, MBA Program

Loyola University Chicago

Chicago (IL)

On-site

USD 73,000 - 76,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Loyola University Chicago is seeking a Senior Program Manager for the MBA Program at the Chicago-Water Tower Campus. This role leads day-to-day operations, advises MBA students, and partners with faculty and program directors to strengthen graduate experiences.

The position emphasizes enrollment management, community building, and cross-functional collaboration to drive student success, retention, and program excellence.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in business administration, higher education, or related field preferred
Minimum of 3 years of experience in program management or related field
5+ years of relevant work experience
Strong organizational and communication skills
Student-centered philosophy and commitment to student success

Responsibilities

Meet with prospective students 1:1 and in groups to answer program questions
Advise students and conduct regular advising sessions
Review degree progress and graduation audits
Develop and implement MBA program plans
Manage enrollment and retention and assist with yield management
Create community and engagement opportunities during evening course breaks
Collaborate with Graduate Program Directors to ensure program success
Promote programs through information sessions, online content, and events
Troubleshoot admissions applications and make admission decisions
Interact with students, staff, and faculty to advocate for students
Review tuition awards with Financial Aid each quarter
Perform related duties as assigned

Skills

Student-focused

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Advising

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Slate

PeopleSoft

Power Automate

Job description

Senior Program Manager, MBA Program

Thank you for your interest in Loyola University Chicago. To view open positions, please enter your search criteria below. You may view all open positions by not specifying any search criteria and selecting the "Search" button.

As a Jesuit, Catholic institution of higher education, we seek candidates who will contribute to our strategic plan to deliver a Transformative Education in the Jesuit tradition. To learn more about Loyola University Chicago’s mission, candidates should consult our website at www.luc.edu/mission/. For information about the university’s focus on transformative education, they should consult our website at www.luc.edu/transformativeed.

Position Details

Job Title: Senior Program Manager, MBA Program

Position Number: 8100161

Work Modality: Fully In-Person

Job Category: University Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt

Campus: Chicago-Water Tower Campus

Department Name: SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

Location Code: SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (02200A)

Is this split and/or fully grant funded?: No

Duties and Responsibilities

The Senior Program Manager, MBA Program is a student-facing leader within the Graduate Business Staff (GBUS) in the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago. The Senior Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and student support functions of the Quinlan MBA Program. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Operations and working in close collaboration with faculty, Graduate Program Directors, and cross-functional university partners, the Senior Program Manager serves as the primary point of contact and advisor for prospective and current Quinlan MBA students.

The Senior Program Manager leads efforts to attract, enroll, advise, and retain a diverse MBA student population - supporting students from initial inquiry through degree completion. The role combines program operations with hands-on student engagement, including academic advising, enrollment management, community building, and co-curricular programming. The Senior Program Manager contributes to the continuous improvement of the student experience and the overall strength of Quinlan’s graduate business programs.

Primary Responsibilities

Meet 1:1 and in small groups with prospective students, answering program related questions
Meet with students for advising consultations at the start of and during their program. Block weekly time periods to complete student advising meetings (offering times that work with student availability)
Review degree progress and confirm completion plans, including quarterly graduation audits.
Develop and implement program plans for MBA students.
Manage student enrollment and retention for the programs, including yield management and communication from admission to graduation.
Develop Community and Professional engagement opportunities that take place during evening course break time (Common Break).
Facilitate a relationship with Graduate Program Directors to ensure the success of the programs. Partner with program directors to waive program requirements.
Market and promote the programs to prospective students through in-person and online information sessions, social media, and/ or recruiting events
Troubleshoot application issues with enrollment management operations
Perform ad hoc review admissions applications to make decisions for admission.
Interact effectively with current students, staff, and faculty, including new and experienced instructors teaching in MBA programs, to advocate for students, address concerns, resolve issues, and ensure a positive educational experience.
Review and process tuition awards and work with Financial Aid Office each quarter to ensure that awards are posted to student accounts.
Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and/or Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree in relevant field is strongly preferred
• 5+ years of relevant work experience

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in business administration, higher education, or a related field preferred
Minimum of 3 years of experience in program management or a related field required.
Deep commitment to student success and a student-centered philosophy.
Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present effectively to prospects, students, faculty, and senior administrators.
Ability to navigate a complex organization and build collaborative relationships with a wide range of internal stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and university partners.
Highly motivated, adaptable, and service-oriented, with demonstrated ability to thrive in a dynamic, student-facing environment.
Ability to analyze enrollment, retention, and academic progress data to identify trends, inform decisions, and support continuous program improvement.
Ability to shift hours occasionally to support student-facing events, especially if those events are held in the evenings.

Computer Skills

Proficiency with Microsoft Office required. Experience with university systems including Slate (CRM), PeopleSoft, and/or Power Automate strongly preferred; demonstrated ability and willingness to learn new platforms as needed.

Working Conditions

Irregular Hours

Salary

Position Maximum Salary or Hourly Rate: $76,000
Position Minimum Salary or Hourly Rate: $73,000

Special Instructions to Applicants

About Loyola University Chicago

Founded in 1870, Loyola University Chicago is one of the nation’s largest Jesuit, Catholic universities, recognized for its academic excellence, commitment to community engagement, and leadership in sustainability. A Carnegie R1 research institution, Loyola leverages its status as one of an elite group of universities with the highest level of research activity to advance knowledge that serves communities and creates global impact. With 15 schools, colleges, and institutes including Business, Law, Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences Loyola operates three primary campuses in the greater Chicago area and one in Rome, Italy, that provide students a transformative, globally connected learning experience. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities by U.S. News & World Report, Loyola is a STARS Gold-rated institution that is ranked as one of the country’s most sustainable campuses by The Princeton Review and has earned distinctions from AmeriCorps and the Carnegie Foundation for its longstanding record of service and community engagement. Guided by its Jesuit mission and commitment to caring for the whole person, Loyola educates ethical leaders who think critically, act with purpose, and strive to create a more just and sustainable world.

Loyola University Chicago strives to be an employer of choice by offering its staff and faculty a wide array of affordable, comprehensive, and competitive benefits. To view our benefits in detail, click here.

Loyola adheres to all applicable federal, state, and/or local civil rights laws and regulations prohibiting discrimination in private institutions of higher education. Please see the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents