Academic Director BPSE

CHESS•Santa Fe, NM

2d•$76,580•Onsite

About The Position

The Academic Director provides strategic leadership and direction for programs within the Business and Professional Studies (BPS) school, including Accounting, Business Administration, Culinary Arts, Criminal Justice, Entrepreneurship, and Paralegal Studies. Oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum, ensuring alignment with industry standards and local needs to facilitate student learning and career readiness. Supports the growth and development of a professional faculty, establishes and coordinates strong external partnerships, and directs the effective delivery of instruction for certificates and degrees. Supervises direct reports and faculty.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a business or professional studies field or related area.
15 years industry-related experience.
Knowledge of higher education administration, student advising, and academic program operations.
Knowledge of accreditation standards and federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Knowledge of curriculum development and student learning outcomes assessment.
Knowledge of budgeting, fiscal management, and grant processes.
Skill in supervising, mentoring, and evaluating faculty and staff.
Skill in program planning, scheduling, and departmental management.
Skill in preparing reports, accreditation materials, and maintaining records.
Skill in curriculum review and continuous improvement.
Skill in partnership building, outreach, and advisory committee coordination.
Skill in effective communication, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Ability to interpret and apply policies and regulations.
Ability to analyze data to improve programs and student outcomes.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
The ability to stay current with professional developments, teaching methods, and industry trends.

Nice To Haves

Experience teaching in a post-secondary or college setting.
Experience in curriculum development, assessment, online and technology-enriched teaching, and student advising.
Experience in teacher mentoring and strong record of continuing professional development.
Experience working in a multicultural setting.

Responsibilities

Advises students on academic achievement, learning goals, enrollment, registration, and navigating college systems.
Addresses student concerns and provides referrals to Counseling/Disability Services and the Tutoring Center as needed.
Approves student applications, course substitutions, progression, and graduation petitions, while offering administrative support for education programs, including scheduling, course requests, syllabi revisions, and the graduation process.
Assists in meeting federal, state, and college documentation and reporting mandates and ensures timely submission by established deadlines.
Maintains program records and databases, including internal student information.
Prepares formal institutional reports, schedules, and necessary accreditation materials.
Conducts assigned classes in accordance with approved course syllabi, relevant New Mexico state requirements, and accreditation standards, while maintaining an appropriate learning and assessment climate that encourages the free exchange of ideas and defends academic honesty and objectivity.
Coordinates with the Marketing and Public Relations Office to participate in communications and promotional activities both on and off campus, to develop and manage comprehensive marketing, promotion, recruitment, and outreach efforts for the program and/or school, and to update website content and social media.
Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure the effective operation of the department.
Creates, updates, and provides students with relevant policies and guides and assures students are provided with clear written expectations.
Develops and maintains agreements with partner educational institutions.
Establishes and cultivates effective relationships and partnerships with community organizations, industry professionals, related granting agencies, and other relevant institutions.
Serves as a liaison to foster communication and build positive support, actively participating in college and community committees to represent and support program goals.
Develops, maintains, and updates course outlines, syllabi, and assessment materials in collaboration with faculty.
Plans, implements, monitors, and evaluates curriculum and learning experiences that align with current industry needs, academic standards, and relevant accreditation requirements.
Directs continuous systematic curriculum review, evaluation, and revision based on student learning outcome assessment data and current educational theory.
Directs all planning and personnel development within directly reporting units and for other functions and duties as assigned; motivates, guides, and supervises direct reports and faculty while guiding them on the department’s shared vision; delegates tasks and responsibilities to ensure department goals are met; interviews candidates for vacant positions; trains new faculty and staff in the department; provides constructive and timely performance evaluations; handles discipline and termination of employees in accordance with company policy.
Ensures and maintains compliance with all federal, state, regional, and college requirements and licensure.
Assures adherence to relevant programmatic accreditation standards and requirements specific to the discipline and maintains quality standards, outcomes assessment, documentation, and data necessary for accreditation.
Manages the daily operations of the department and assumes overall responsibility for the conduct and operation of the program in alignment with the college's mission.
Creates semester course schedules and faculty assignments; coordinates programs within the department, including the development, modification, and revision of degrees and certificates.
Directs the administration, organization, and supervision of the program; and maintains the departmental calendar for programmatic requirements.
May establish, coordinate, and evaluate placement sites and supervisors/preceptors to ensure optimal student learning experiences in both on-site and off-site settings.
May collaborate with course instructors and relevant personnel in the planning and assessment of student experiences, maintaining communication and records related to placement sites, supervisors, and student progress.
Oversees or coordinates advisory committees and their activities, working collaboratively with committee members and coordinates advisory committee meetings, including the maintenance of minutes.
Seeks ways to improve instruction and maintains current knowledge in the teaching field and relevant professional area by keeping abreast of professional developments through publications, continuing education, and professional associations.
Supervises the development and management of program and department budgets in collaboration with program heads, department chairs, and staff.
May develop, oversee, initiate, and supervise the implementation of grant proposals and other funding opportunities to support program goals and the college's mission, including the administration of the distribution of funds for designated students and programs.
Conducts assigned classes in accordance with approved course syllabi and may teach up to 18 credit hours per academic year.