Director of Online Innovation and DevelopmentJob no: 498425
Work type: Staff
Location: Big Rapids, MI 49307
Categories: Administrative and Support
Position Title: Director of Online Innovation and Development
Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus)
Department: 41820 - CES Online Innovation & Development
Advertised Salary: PG 15 Min $82,843 Salary commensurate with education, experience, and other requirements.
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans
FLSA: Exempt
Temporary/Continuing: Continuing
Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time
Union Group: N/A
Term of Position: 12 Month
At Will/Just Cause: At Will
Summary of Position: The Director of Online Innovation and Development leads the growth of Ferris State University's online program offerings and online student populations. Working within the College of Extended Studies, the Director identifies market-responsive program opportunities and partners with colleges and academic departments to develop, launch, and grow online degrees, certificates, and credentials. The role guides programs from concept through launch, coordinating curriculum development with the college that owns the curriculum and, for CES-originated programs, leading curriculum development through the College Curriculum Committee and the university approval process.
The Director works with Admissions, Registrar, Financial Aid, Advising, and other campus partners to increase enrollment and strengthen retention and completion for online learners, including adult, degree-completion, transfer, and workforce populations. Using enrollment and program performance data, the Director leads regular reviews with college partners, recommends strategies to strengthen the online portfolio, and advances College of Extended Studies initiatives that rely on online delivery. This position works collaboratively with educational technology, instructional design, and academic partners across the college and university.
The anticipated start date for this position is February 2027. However, this is an estimated date and can be revised if needed.
The selected candidate for this position must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire without employer assistance or sponsorship now or in the future. The university will not assist with any F-1 EADs, OPT, H-1 B, etc.
Offers are determined based on a review of the candidate's qualifications, including education, training, and experience, as well as internal pay equity considerations.
Placement within the range will generally be based on the following factors:
Entry-Range: Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and core requirements of the position.
Mid-Range: Candidates with three or more years of directly related professional experience who demonstrate proficiency in the key responsibilities of the role.
Final compensation will be determined based on the candidate's overall qualifications, experience, and alignment with the University's compensation philosophy in consultation with Human Resources.
Position Type: Staff
Required Education: Master's degree in higher education, organizational leadership, or a closely related field.
Required Work Experience: Five years of full-time professional experience in higher education, including demonstrated experience in strategic planning, project management, and program leadership. Significant experience leading collaborative, cross-functional groups. Experience with the development or administration of online or distance education programs.
Required Licenses and Certifications: Physical Demands: Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: • Doctoral degree in higher education administration, instructional technology, or related field.
• Experience navigating and working with curriculum committees and shared governance bodies.
• Experience with accreditation, regulatory compliance, or state authorization matters in higher education.
• Experience with market analysis, enrollment management, or serving adult and nontraditional student populations.
• Experience teaching in an online environment.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Portfolio Strategy and Market Intelligence
• Lead market and viability analysis for proposed online programs in partnership with colleges.
• Support colleges in evaluating opportunities for new online programs aligned with the Academic Strategic Plan, institutional priorities, and student demand.
• Identify innovative approaches to program structure, scheduling, and delivery that improve access and flexibility for online learners.
• Stay current on program models and market trends in online education and recommend adoption where appropriate.
Program Development and Curriculum Partnership
• Provide leadership in the development of new online degree, certificate, and credential programs designed to meet identified student and market needs, in partnership with the colleges.
• Lead the concept-to-launch process for new or expanding online programs, guiding academic units through institutional approval processes.
• For CES-originated programs, lead curriculum development through the College Curriculum Committee and the university approval process.
• Develop clear program pathways and course rotations, in partnership with colleges, that enable timely progression and completion for online learners.
• Coordinate operational readiness for the launch of new online programs, including enrollment processes, advising models, scheduling, and student support services.
• Ensure new programs meet compliance checkpoints in the approval process, including accreditation, state authorization, and distance education requirements.
Enrollment Growth and Student Populations
• Analyze the online enrollment funnel with Admissions and Enrollment Management to identify where prospective students drop off and lead cross-departmental improvements that increase conversion from inquiry to enrollment.
• Partner with Admissions, marketing and communications staff, and college partners on recruitment and outreach strategies for adult, degree-completion, transfer, and workforce learners.
• Work with Advising, Registrar, and Financial Aid to strengthen the online student experience at key transition points (first term, course registration, re-enrollment) to improve retention and completion.
• Identify systemic barriers affecting online students and work with the appropriate departments and offices to reduce their impact on retention and completion.
Program Performance and Continuous Improvement
• Develop and maintain online program dashboards that track enrollment trends, retention, completion, and program health indicators such as market demand, section capacity, and cost-to-deliver.
• Conduct annual performance reviews of online programs with college partners and recommend growth strategies, course rotation or capacity adjustments, repositioning, or sunsetting.
• Identify and recommend infrastructure, technology, and staffing investments needed to sustain online program growth.
CES Initiatives and Institutional Engagement
• Advance College of Extended Studies initiatives that rely on online delivery, in alignment with the Dean's priorities.
• Work closely with the Director of Educational Technology and the eLearning team to align instructional design and technology support with program launch timelines and growth priorities.
• Oversee assigned budgets to ensure fiscal integrity and appropriate allocation of resources.
• Serve as a liaison between the College of Extended Studies and academic colleges, administrative units, and university committees on matters related to online programming.
• Chair or serve on university committees related to online program strategy, as assigned.
Administrative Responsibilities
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.
• Responsible for maintaining confidentiality of information pursuant to university policies and/or state or federal laws.
• Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
• Any other duties assigned within the position classification area.
Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: • Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences related to areas of responsibility.
• Serve and/or chair various University and community committees.
Skills and Abilities: • Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships, influence without direct authority, and build consensus among faculty, staff, and administrative leaders.
• Expertise in strategic planning and project management in a higher education setting.
• Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to guide complex, cross-functional initiatives from planning through implementation.
• Ability to coordinate efforts and support organizational change across colleges and administrative units.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret enrollment, market, and program performance data to inform decision-making.
• Excellent written, presentation, and public speaking skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with senior leadership.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and function effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences.
Required Documents: - Cover Letter
- Resume
- Unofficial Transcript 1
Optional Documents: Special Instructions to Applicants: Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of their unofficial master's transcript.
The transcript must include the institution name, applicant name, date the degree was attained, and the degree awarded. The individual hired will be required to submit an official transcript.
Initial Application Review Date: December 3, 2026
Open Until Position is Filled?: Yes
Posting Close Date:Advertised: 13 Nov 2026 Eastern Standard Time
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