About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
The Director of Pre-College Programs is responsible for leading University-wide efforts to deliver revenue-generating academic programs for the pre-college high school population through the University Without Walls (UWW), including pre-college summer intensives and year-round programs across multiple modes, including in-person residential, online, and flex delivery and developing and expanding pre-college program offerings.
Essential Functions
- Provides leadership and oversight for overall operational needs of the UMass Amherst pre-college program, including collaborating with appropriate campus units such as the Bursar’s Office, Registrar’s Office, Auxiliary Enterprises, and Recreation Center.
- Manages relationships internal and external to the University; develops and maintains external partnerships with high schools and community-based organizations.
- Designs and plans revenue-generating pre-college academic programs that expand or complement existing offerings. Provides administrative and logistical assistance to reduce barriers to program development and promote effective and timely implementation. Provides expertise and referral for individuals and units exploring or developing pre-college offerings. Collaborates with units in the development of business plans for pre-college offerings and provides information and complex analysis of revenue structures and incentives.
- Monitors and researches existing and emerging national and regional trends in program development, and actively engages campus units to recognize and take advantage of such trends.
- Designs and supports the implementation of the strategic marketing plan for pre-college programs, including content creation for website, marketing collateral and CRM email journeys, and some creative design work. Seeks new marketing partnerships and leverages existing relationships. Works closely with appropriate campus units such as University Relations to make data-driven decisions.
- Represents UWW Pre-College Programs at conferences and recruitment events.
- Supervises the management of program admissions, including the application, registration, and billing processes. Provides oversight for external communications with students and families, and coordination of program logistics.
- Provides management oversight for residential staffing, and compliance with relevant protocols and policies regarding residential programs and programs involving minors.
- Develops and manages relationships with external vendors to incorporate cost-effective, high-quality services and resources. Ensures that a robust program is built including curricular and co-curricular offerings.
- Monitors the success of pre-college program offerings, and uses evaluative information to inform program development, budget and revenue strategies, and service delivery. Reports findings to senior leadership and other relevant stakeholders.
Other Functions
- Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet department, executive area / division, and University goals and objectives.
- Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policy.
- Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration.
- Understands and contributes to implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversity.
- Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of the position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
- Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
- Demonstrates capacity, skills and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
- Works collaboratively with other campus stakeholders to fulfill the mission of UWW.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Bachelor’s degree and five (5) years of experience in higher education administration with progressively increasing responsibility including supervisory experience.
- Broad knowledge of the higher education marketplace, and policies and strategies to deliver educational programs to the pre-college audience.
- Financial experience including budget creation, management, and oversight.
- Experience handling, prioritizing, and executing multiple projects, providing first-rate outcomes while maintaining a high level of customer service, professionalism, and team morale.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in working across organizational boundaries, and in engaging academic units in innovative approaches to fee income program expansion.
- Excellent networking, marketing research and program design skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully solve complex and multi-layered problems.
- Experience with print, web, trade show and inbound marketing. Understands the fundamentals of web design, use of social media for marketing and communications, and Customer Relations Management (CRM) systems.
- Ability to work with a team in lead generation and cultivation and prioritize tasks and projects.
- Experience with admissions and financial aid.
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Revenue based higher education program experience.
Work Schedule
- Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.
- Required to work some nights and weekends.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
- Typical office environment.
Salary Information
Level 28
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.