Academic Program Director

University of Wisconsin-Madison

• $89K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years of supervisory experience in an academic setting
  • Proven track record in managing academic programs and strategic planning
  • Experience in budget development and financial management
  • Strong collaboration skills with faculty for program design
  • Excellent communication skills for liaising with stakeholders

Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with faculty to develop and implement academic programs
  • Manage unit budget and approve expenditures
  • Evaluate program operations to align with departmental goals
  • Supervise academic staff and manage performance
  • Formulate long-term strategies and policies for academic programs
  • Provide guidance on funding and staffing to faculty
  • Serve as the primary liaison between the program and external partners

Benefits

  • Generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off
  • Competitive insurance and savings accounts
  • Retirement benefits
Full Job Description
Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:
Limited

Employment Type:
Regular

Job Profile:
Academic Program Director (B)

Job Summary:

The Department of Statistics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking a dynamic and strategic Academic Program Director to lead and manage our student academic programs. In this role, you will collaborate closely with faculty to design, implement, and oversee high-impact curricular structures while formulating long-term program strategies, policies, and operational goals. As a key leader, you will supervise academic staff, assist with unit budgeting, and evaluate program operations to ensure continuous alignment with departmental standards. Additionally, the Director serves as the primary liaison between academic programs, university leadership, and external partners, offering vital guidance on funding, staffing, and spatial resources to advance the department's educational mission.

Key Job Responsibilities:
  • Collaborates with faculty members to develop student academic programs and agendas, directs implementation, and creates curricular structure including operational and logistical arrangements
  • Develops the unit budget and approves unit expenditures
  • Evaluates operations and outcomes to ensure alignment with organizational goals
  • Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
  • Formulates program strategies and goals, directs long-term planning, develops policies and procedures, and establishes and maintains new and emerging program materials
  • May provide guidance to faculty regarding funding, staffing, and space implications
  • Manages student academic program(s)
  • Serves as the principal liaison between the program, University leadership, and outside entities


Department:

UW-Madison, College of Computing and Artificial Intelligence,Statistics

Compensation:

The minimum salary is $89,725, depending on qualifications and experience.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as:
- Generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off
- Competitive insurances and savings accounts
- Retirement benefits

More Benefits information can be found here.

Required Qualifications:

Demonstrated experience exercising full supervisory authority (hiring, performance management, discipline, assigning work, approving hours).

Experience managing academic programs within a higher education environment, including strategic planning, policy development, and operational oversight.

Proven ability to collaborate with faculty to design, develop, and implement academic programs, curricula, and logistical arrangements.

Demonstrated track record of developing unit budgets, managing financial resources, and approving expenditures.

Excellent communication and relationship-building skills to serve as the principal liaison between the program, university leadership, and external stakeholders/entities.

Preferred Qualifications:

Direct experience working closely with, guiding, or managing faculty regarding academic funding, staffing models, and physical space allocation.

Demonstrated ability to formulate long-term strategic plans, establish program goals, and conduct outcomes/operations evaluations to ensure alignment with institutional objectives.

In-depth knowledge of higher education policies, accreditation standards, and institutional procedures.

Education:

Bachelor's Degree Preferred Minimum

How to Apply:
For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser.

To apply for this position, select either "I am a current employee" or "I am not a current employee" under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.

Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload all required documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.

Upload required documents:
  • A cover letter detailing how your qualifications and experiences align with the responsibilities of the position.
  • Resume

Please note that reference checks will be conducted for finalists. Applicants selected to proceed in the selection process will be notified directly. All applicants will receive notification once a final selection has been made and the search is complete.

Conditions of Appointment: This is a 100% Limited Staff appointment. Salary will be assigned within the appropriate range, commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience. An excellent benefits package is also included. Successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Contact Information:



Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

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