Assistant Director - Academic Operations

Northeastern University - Boston, MA

Part-time - Mid Level

Boston, MA

1,001-5,000 employees

Educational Services

About the position

The Assistant Director of Academic Operations plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective management and operational leadership of graduate, undergraduate, and global learner programs. This position is responsible for overseeing the program management team, which includes recruiting, retaining, coaching, and evaluating program managers. The Assistant Director coordinates curriculum and academic offerings, manages partner relations related to academics, and produces curriculum guides and plans. Additionally, they oversee course equivalencies and course matching, manage course registration procedures, and monitor student academic performance. The role also involves assisting in program development and ensuring quality program delivery, providing excellent customer service and support to students and faculty, and guiding program management staff to enhance the student experience and promote lifelong learning connections. In this position, the Assistant Director will recommend efficiencies and improvements for portfolio quality, delivery, and operational practices. They will build and maintain course schedules that account for program growth, campus expansion, instructor availability, student needs, and other relevant data points. The Assistant Director will operate the Banner scheduling system to maintain best practices in course caps, waitlists, degree program attributes, and meeting times and dates. Collaboration with lead faculty to staff and contract teaching assignments in alignment with academic operational deadlines and collective bargaining protocols is essential. The Assistant Director will also coordinate with partner institutions, collect and review course syllabi, and maintain accurate program curriculum on various platforms. The role requires direct management of program management staff to ensure operational efficiencies, navigate business processes, resolve issues, and serve as a coach and mentor. The Assistant Director will actively support a positive team culture, manage change, and provide a structured and transparent environment. They will also be responsible for performance management and development, ensuring compliance with university policies, and leading the selection and onboarding process for new staff. As a liaison for faculty issues and internal stakeholders, the Assistant Director will ensure alignment with university policies and participate in special projects that enhance the academic experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist in providing outstanding program management for graduate, undergraduate, and global learner programs.
• Recruit, retain, coach, and evaluate program managers.
• Coordinate curriculum and academic offerings; manage partner relations related to academics.
• Produce curriculum guides and plans; oversee course equivalencies and course matching.
• Manage course registration procedures and monitor student academic performance.
• Assist in program development and ensure quality program delivery and excellent customer service.
• Provide guidance for program management staff to support a first-class student experience.
• Recommend efficiencies and improvements for portfolio quality, delivery, and operational practices.
• Build and maintain course schedules accounting for program growth, campus expansion, instructor availability, and student needs.
• Operate the Banner scheduling system to maintain college best practices in course caps, waitlists, and meeting times.
• Collaborate with lead faculty to staff and contract teaching assignments in alignment with academic operational deadlines.
• Collect, review, and post course syllabi for assigned courses within the program portfolio.
• Monitor and maintain accurate program curriculum on the website, catalogue, and marketing materials.
• Maintain accurate records of part-time faculty credentials and teaching contract history.
• Track and monitor faculty engagement via Blackboard reporting.
• Collect and analyze course evaluations to identify areas of exemplary performance and areas of concern.
• Coordinate, track, and monitor the operational process for each domain including textbook adoptions and grade submissions.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute logistics for assigned program special events.
• Collaborate with the Academic Quality Assurance team to maintain up-to-date information on assessment data.
• Manage pathway mobility program surveys, student progress reports, and program evaluations.
• Ensure full-time faculty worksheets are kept up to date and accurately reflect courses taught.
• Process Program Change requests and facilitate their implementation.
• Generate monthly payroll reports and conduct initial reviews for accuracy.
• Directly manage program management staff to ensure operational efficiencies and serve as their coach/mentor.
• Actively support a positive team culture and manage change effectively.
• Provide an effective process for performance management and development for team members.
• Lead the selection and onboarding process for new staff.
• Act as the first point of contact for faculty issues and elevate to a senior level when appropriate.
• Serve as a program representative for internal stakeholders and ensure alignment with policies.
• Participate in special projects related to experiential learning.

Requirements

• Must be highly collaborative and able to work well with multiple constituencies: students, faculty, academic coordinators, and program offices.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills required; experience with Salesforce and Banner is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage rapidly evolving priorities.
• Proven track record of effective and results-driven problem solving and decision-making.
• Strong leadership and effective communication skills.
• Knowledge and skills typically acquired through the completion of a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent).
• Minimum of one year of experience in higher education, preferably with adult learners or in a high customer service environment.
• Master's degree preferred.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with Salesforce and Banner systems.
• Familiarity with academic program management and curriculum development.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition assistance
• Wellness programs
• Life insurance
• Retirement plans
• Commuting and transportation benefits.