Academic Program Director

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Statistics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a dynamic and strategic Academic Program Director to lead and manage our student academic programs. In this role, you will collaborate closely with faculty to design, implement, and oversee high-impact curricular structures while formulating long-term program strategies, policies, and operational goals. As a key leader, you will supervise academic staff, assist with unit budgeting, and evaluate program operations to ensure continuous alignment with departmental standards. Additionally, the Director serves as the primary liaison between academic programs, university leadership, and external partners, offering vital guidance on funding, staffing, and spatial resources to advance the department's educational mission.

Requirements

Demonstrated experience exercising full supervisory authority (hiring, performance management, discipline, assigning work, approving hours).
Experience managing academic programs within a higher education environment, including strategic planning, policy development, and operational oversight.
Proven ability to collaborate with faculty to design, develop, and implement academic programs, curricula, and logistical arrangements.
Demonstrated track record of developing unit budgets, managing financial resources, and approving expenditures.
Excellent communication and relationship-building skills to serve as the principal liaison between the program, university leadership, and external stakeholders/entities.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience working closely with, guiding, or managing faculty regarding academic funding, staffing models, and physical space allocation.
Demonstrated ability to formulate long-term strategic plans, establish program goals, and conduct outcomes/operations evaluations to ensure alignment with institutional objectives.
In-depth knowledge of higher education policies, accreditation standards, and institutional procedures.

Responsibilities

Collaborates with faculty members to develop student academic programs and agendas, directs implementation, and creates curricular structure including operational and logistical arrangements
Develops the unit budget and approves unit expenditures
Evaluates operations and outcomes to ensure alignment with organizational goals
Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees
Formulates program strategies and goals, directs long-term planning, develops policies and procedures, and establishes and maintains new and emerging program materials
May provide guidance to faculty regarding funding, staffing, and space implications
Manages student academic program(s)
Serves as the principal liaison between the program, University leadership, and outside entities