The University of Maine at Presque Isle is seeking an Executive Director of YourPace Program. The Executive Director of Competency-Based Programs provides oversight to the development, delivery, and assessment of the university's academic unit dedicated to educating adult learners in market-responsive undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs that are both credit and non-credit bearing.

Reporting to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, the Executive Director is a key thought leader in developing UMPl's YourPace competency-based program portfolio. The Executive Director will collaborate with administration and key partners across and beyond the university to provide strategic leadership in developing and delivering stackable credentials and affordable programs that meet student, workforce, and societal needs. The Executive Director will be responsible for expanding the university's commitment to the "adult-learner market," in Maine and beyond, as evidenced through program growth both in student retention and an unwavering commitment to the creation of an exceptional student experience.

The Executive Director collaborates with other administrative leaders to chart a successful and dynamic approach to competency based education initiatives, fostering an innovative mindset, and breaking down silos.

Based on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant, the salary range for this 12 month, on-campus, management group position is $85,000-$95,000 plus a 10% employer contribution to the UMS retirement plan. Additional benefits include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents. The UMS is a recipient of the Wellness Councils of America’s Well Workplace Award and offers wellness programs. Visit our benefits website to learn more.

Key Responsibilities include (not limited to):

Leadership

• Creates an environment of excellence for competency­ based education (CBE) at UMPI within a unified accreditation environment.

• Maintains knowledge of best practices in competency-based education and remains current in recent developments and research in the field.

• Applies best practices in competency-based education within a continuous academic improvement culture, with a strong commitment to student support and success.

• Demonstrates an enrollment growth mindset and commitment to continual program development, innovation, and expansion.

• Partners with stakeholders and models a collaborative and collegial approach to working with others in a matrix environment.

Management

• Supervises YourPace operational team leadership to ensure adherence to best practices in competency-based education, overall program quality, and an unmistakable commitment to customer service in a student-centric environment

• Maintains the enrollment schedule from session to session/semester to semester and communicates schedule to Registrar

• In collaboration with the Registrar, oversees the creation of the YourPace academic calendar

• In consultation with the university budget manager, develops and submits an annual program budget and manages the operational budget for the Program.

• Collaborates closely with the Vice President of Enrollment Services to ensure student-focused, seamless communication and processes for excellence in the student experience, from inquiry through degree completion.

Academic Program Quality & Development

• In collaboration with academic leadership, establishes program development timelines and processes, ensuring timeliness and quality

• Develops session instructor of record schedules through coordination with academic unit leadership in accordance with university policies and bargaining unit guidelines.

• Collaborates with YourPace operational team leadership to monitor enrollments and update the schedule with additional sections as needed

• Communicates instructional schedules within a collective bargaining environment

• Monitors and ensures continuous curricular improvement working with program advisors/directors and instructional designers

• Ensures timely and effective responses to student communications and escalated issues, coordinating responses with appropriate departments.

• Addresses escalated concerns regarding instructor of record feedback timeframes

• Ensures availability of a variety of exceptional support services through working with the YourPace team and Director of Student Support Services

• Establishes educational pathways, processes, and procedures that create and maintain an exceptional learning environment for all students.

• Collaborates with program advisors and directors to ensure recruitment and timely hiring of qualified subject matter experts as course designers and instructors of record

• Onboards new course designers and instructors of record to the YourPace program and introduces them to the instructional design team.

• Collaborates with the Provost to create, update, and communicate program policies in a timely manner

• Creates and maintains faculty and student handbooks specific to the YourPace/CBE Program.

Collaboration and Partnerships

• Supports institutional and organizational partnerships through academic program planning, development, and implementation.

• Represents UMPI and the UMS at appropriate professional meetings and conferences related to competency-based education.

• Supports the preparation of appropriate documentation for accrediting and other agencies.

• Participates in University committees as assigned by the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost.

Required Credentials, Skills and Abilities

• Master’s degree

• Organization and task prioritization

• Collaborative management skills

• Project management skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Demonstrated skills in use of technology and programs, including word processing skills; Microsoft Office; and presentation creation

• Adeptness at building relationships with internal and external partners

• Ability to work a traditional weekly schedule as well as nights and weekends as required

Preferred Credentials, Skills and Abilities

• Doctorate or Doctoral candidate

• Leadership in program development and design

• Experience working in a competency-based education program or significant knowledge of/ experience with competency-based program design and implementation

To apply click on "Apply Now" below or visit the UMPI Careers Page at http://umpi.careers.maine.edu/.

For your application to be considered complete, you must submit a cover letter and a resume.

Finalist candidates will be asked to provide names and contact information for references.

The posting will be open internally until September 30, 2024, and will be posted externally on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The posting will be open for internal and external applicants until October 30, 2024. Materials received after that date will be considered at the discretion of the University.

The University is not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

A background screening will be conducted for the successful candidate.

About the University

For more than a century, the University of Maine at Presque Isle has been helping students find their path to great professional careers providing its 1,300 traditional and non-traditional students from all areas of the state, country, and world with life-changing opportunities in a caring, small-university environment.

Further information about the University of Maine at Presque Isle can be found at https://www.umpi.edu/

The university sits on 150 acres surrounded by the rolling hills and potato fields of northern Maine and the university strives to be the region’s premier learning institution while helping to stimulate cultural and economic development in Aroostook County and the State of Maine. The university serves as an educational and cultural center for the area and its facilities are utilized for lectures, programs, concerts, dance performances, exhibits, and plays that benefit the entire region.

Learn more about what Aroostook County has to offer here (https://visitaroostook.com/) .

Clery Act- The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report (https://www.umpi.edu/files/offices/security/annual-security-report.pdf) . If you have any questions, contact Safety and Security 111 Campus Center 181 Main St., Presque Isle, ME 04769 Phone: (207) 768-9580

Equal Opportunity Statement- In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5713, 207-581-1226. TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

About the University of Maine System

The University of Maine System (UMS), established in 1968, consists of seven universities and the University of Maine School of Law, spread across various locations in Maine. UMS provides system-wide services and governance from these locations, leveraging the distinct strengths and collaborations among its institutions to advance strategic priorities for UMS (https://www.maine.edu/strategic-plan/) and the state of Maine.

Choosing UMS means opting for a high quality of life supported by excellent benefits such as tuition waivers, robust retirement contributions, and comprehensive insurance coverage including medical, dental, vision, life, and disability. Maine's diverse landscapes, from accessible wilderness and rugged coastline to urban centers and rural communities, offer numerous cultural activities, strong public schools, safe neighborhoods, and high-quality healthcare. Discover more about Maine's exemplary lifestyle on the Maine Office of Tourism website (https://visitmaine.com/plan-your-visit/relocating-to-maine) .