Academic Programs Manager

Apply now Job no:522010
Work type:Staff Full Time
Location:UMass Amherst
Department: Kinesiology
Union: PSU
Categories:Administrative & Office Support, Program Administration/Management, School of Public Health & Health Sciences

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.

The Academic Programs Manager provides leadership and direction for the Kinesiology Undergraduate and Graduate programs by supporting administration, student progress, and excellence.

• Manages the timely development of the complex course schedule for our large undergraduate major, taking into consideration faculty course releases, academic requirements, and enrollment fluctuations. Utilizes the University scheduling system to schedule classes and meetings. Attends College and University meetings related to academic course scheduling.    
• Creates, tests and improves data collection systems for course scheduling to track undergraduate independent studies, internship classes, honors, general education, and Residential Academic Program offerings. Produces enrollment reports, and contributes to the development and implementation of procedures for scheduling decisions that support student enrollment priorities.  
• Develops content for website, and actively maintains the informational loop so that it is up to date with information about department goals and plans, courses, student activities, faculty research updates, internship and community service opportunities, upcoming events and conferences, etc.
• Responsible for all aspects of running the department’s weekly Graduate Research Seminar Series; plans seminar dates and locations, solicits speakers, organizes their visits, manages the budget (including reimbursements and honoraria), distributes announcements over various media, etc.
• Advises course-based MS students regarding academic requirements and satisfactory progress towards their degree; keeps student progress documentation up-to-date and alerts Graduate Program Director with student progress concerns.
• Develops and manages PhD student events, workshops or programs that support recruitment, retention, academic progress and career success. Stewards graduate fellowship, grant or research programs. Creates and maintains applications and procedures for each program, convenes review committees, facilitates payments and awards, and enforces reporting requirements for awards.
• Conducts research, collects data and creates databases to provide the Graduate Program Director with a variety of reports that support requests from University offices or other organizations. Creates surveys, analyze data and develop reports that help support graduate program planning and programmatic excellence.
• Manages faculty credit bank to ensure accurate reporting of teaching assignments and course releases. Reviews and completes faculty requests for student enrollment overrides. Advises departmental leadership on issues of classroom space options and the curriculum revision process. Manages course and curriculum changes through the Faculty Senate approval system and oversees Department submissions to the University Catalog management system.  
• Provides management and logistical support for Department events and program activities. Manages communications and planning with event hosts for on and off campus events that include students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other external constituents. Coordinates travel arrangements for alumni, speakers, and other event participants. Assists with the management of the Department Alumni Advisory Board.  

• Provides back-up for coordination of purchasing and travel reimbursements in the absence of the Department Administrator.
• Attends trainings and meetings, as appropriate for professional development and office tasks.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, social sciences or related field with a minimum of two (2) years of administrative experience in an office setting. 
• Excellent ability to work both independently and to be part of an effective team with a highly cooperative and collaborative work style. The ability to adapt and work effectively as the situation changes. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with the ability to interact effectively, and create and maintain harmonious relationships with a diverse population of staff, faculty, students and off-campus constituents. 
• Flexibility to work with initiative and willingness to take on a variety of tasks related to the successful operation and administration of the unit. Ability to work effectively under pressure and varying situations with independence, competent judgment and discretion. 
• Excellent computer usage skills including email, spreadsheets (including formulas), word processing, and databases. 
• Must have the ability to stay on task and work productively with a minimum of supervision.  
• The ability to investigate a situation, seek out additional information and resolve discrepancies. The ability to think through problems, organize information, identify key factors and underlying causes to generate solutions. 
• 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. 

• Higher education work experience.
• Knowledge of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences and/or Kinesiology Department’s policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of specific word processing/spreadsheet/database systems used in the School and University.
• Knowledge of University academic, administrative, and fiscal policies and procedures related to Purchasing and Travel. Knowledge of University CAPS (course scheduling) process.
• Experience with planning and executing events and workshops.

Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours/week.

Level 25

PSU Hiring Ranges

Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until a suitable candidate pool has been identified.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination 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 UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

Advertised:Jan 16 2024 Eastern Standard Time
Applications close:Apr 16 2024 Eastern Daylight Time