Program Manager, Workforce Training and Professional Development

Department: Workforce, Professional and Community Education

Campus Location: Wichita, KS - WSU Metroplex

Work Schedule: M-F, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Occasional evening and weekends

Export Compliance Requirement: No export control requirement.

Job Story

The Workforce, Professional and Community Education department is accepting applications for a Program Manager, Workforce Training and Professional Development who will have a pivotal role in enhancing WSU educational offerings, fostering industry partnerships, and meeting the evolving needs of learners and employers. The individual will ensure that programming meets the customized needs of employers while maintaining alignment with university academic program requirements, 1 Ed Tech Standards, the Higher Learning Commission and other accrediting bodies, the Kansas Board of Regents, and best practices. Audiences include degree and non-degree seeking students, community members, and employers. Key areas of responsibility for this position include: program coordination and development, planning, and process refinement; collaboration with faculty, departments, colleges, and employers on microcredential and badge development; communication and training; data analysis, assessment, and reporting; and badge/microcredential registration, issuance, and management.

Job Summary

Develops and implements plans and programs, ensuring all service standards and defined University goals are met. Manages daily operational activities including record management, staff administration, and regulatory compliance. Oversees day-today advising, retention, marketing, advocacy, training, and strategic initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Manage program(s) through creation of program plans, management tools and reporting capabilities. Perform research and develops metrics to measure program success against program goals.
• Engage with leadership, faculty, staff and/or other community partners to build programming that helps to achieve targeted outcomes. Cultivate existing and identify new opportunities for partnerships, collaborations, and service enhancements.
• Analyze data to determine achievement with assigned goals and compliance with rules and regulations. Communicate and document program results, quality outcomes, and progress metrics to stakeholders.
• Assist with the development and coordination with related departments to facilitate recruitment, outreach, communications, and/or marketing of related programs and services.
• Collaborate with University staff and students to foster program success, and provides program communications, status reports, and services throughout the enrollment and registration process. Monitor compliance with program rules and regulations, provides status updates, and monitors student academic progress as required.

Job Duties

35% - Microcredential/Badge Development: Work with departments on micro-credentials proposals; Facilitate university, industry, and employer partnerships; Maintain the micro-credential proposal form and approval workflows; Ensure compliance with 1 EdTech standards and best practices.

25%-Registration Management: Reconcile enrollment records across Reporting Services, with physical forms. Coordinate with Financial Aid and Financial Operations as necessary to resolve registration issues. Assist with technical or registration issues by working with the Helpdesk, IT, or the Registrar’s Office. Communicate semester start dates and enrollment reminders to badge instructors, monitor enrollment, and coordinates with the Instructional Design and Access (IDA) team for Blackboard-related issues. Teaching commitments are confirmed each semester, and EPAFs are submitted for instructor payment.

15% - Learner Services: Monitors workforce@wichita.edu and responds to learner questions. Ensure enrolled students receive course access emails. Assist with technical or registration issues by working with the Helpdesk, IT, or the Registrar’s Office. Work with badge issuer platform to ensure badges and micro-credential are issued to completers in a timely fashion. Educate learner/earners on micro-credential opportunities and ways to promote competencies through earned badges.

10% - Communication and Marketing: Work with the WPCE communications manager on marketing to promote and build awareness of micro-credential programs; coordinate website and catalog content. Create, manage, and refine an annual marketing plan.

5% - Assessment: Develop a process for assessment of micro-credential programs and learner experiences, and reporting of badges issued.

5% - Strategic Planning: Member of Digital Credentials Steering Committee. Engage with committee members to generate and develop new program ideas and ensure ideas align with the University’s mission, priorities, strategies, and values.

5% - Vendor Management: Stay informed of new vendor releases and developments. Encourage and promote the acceptance and sharing of credentials issued.

Other Duties: Other duties as assigned by Executive Director, including leading and participating in badge and microcredential professional development opportunities.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Seven (7) years managing or coordinating complex projects and/or developing programs, every 30 hours of college coursework may be substituted for one (1) year of experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Competencies/Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Successful and demonstrated experience with program management and/or development of new projects or initiatives.
• Demonstrated good judgment in decision-making, organization, program evaluation and assessment
• Excellent communication, time-management, and organizational abilities
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive professional relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to lead people, projects, and/or teams.
• Skilled in identifying problems and proposing practical, evidence-based solutions.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Suite and data management tools (e.g., Excel, Word, student information systems, CRM platforms).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree
• Professional experience in higher education, university systems, academic operations, and enrollment processes.
• Knowledge of student recruitment, support services, and best practices in educational program outreach.
• Professional training, marketing/communication, and/or community engagement experience.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to remain in a stationary position. Frequent 60-90%
Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment including but not limited to phone, printers, copiers, and calculators. Frequent 60-90%
Ability to communicate with others and accurately exchange information. Frequent 60-90%

Additional Physical Requirement:

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force to constantly move objects. Light work involves remaining stationary most of the time.

http://jobs.wichita.edu/cw/en-us/job/497758?lApplicationSubSourceID=11261