Academic Project Manager

Colorado State University•Fort Collins, CO

5d•$69,000 - $73,000

About The Position

The Academic Project Manager ensures the continued success, quality, and scalability of the Professional Science Master's (PSM) program in Zoo, Aquaria, and Animal Shelter Management. The position provides leadership in graduate instruction, student advising, and experiential learning, supporting students’ academic and professional development with a focus on capstone completion, career readiness, and engagement with external partners. Located in the Department of Biology, the position teaches graduate courses, advises students, and supervises capstone projects. It builds partnerships with external organizations and supports student progress as program enrollment grows. The position works on a two-person staff team under the leadership of the faculty Program Director and may occasionally supervise one to two graduate student hourly assistants.

Requirements

MS or PhD in Zoology, Biology, or Animal Sciences; a PSM degree in Zoo, Aquaria and Animal Shelter Management; or an MS in Higher Education, Counseling or Human Services, Psychology, Education, Liberal Arts, or Social Sciences.
Experience teaching at the college or university level.
Three years of professional experience working directly with students in a higher education setting to provide academic advising and/or conduct student development activities, such as orientation, multicultural affairs, residence life, or career services.

Nice To Haves

Academic training in Biology, Zoology, Animal Behavior, or a closely related field.
Experience guiding students in degree planning, academic policies, and career development, including internships and job-search strategies, while supporting a broad range of student populations.
Student engagement and accountability skills, including motivating students through clear expectations and academic rigor while fostering a supportive, inclusive environment that addresses academic and personal challenges.
Experience designing research projects and managing projects through completion.
Teaching, facilitation, and presentation skills, including curriculum development, instruction for residential and online learners, and coordination of instructor and mentor partnerships.
Data-informed assessment and program evaluation skills, including tracking student outcomes, analyzing data, and applying insights to improve advising practices and program effectiveness.
Strong leadership, organizational, administrative, and communication skills, with the ability to innovate, coordinate initiatives that enhance program outcomes, track student success, and collaborate as part of a team.
Experiential learning and partnership development experience, including building partnerships, coordinating internships or research placements, mentoring students, and assessing experiential learning outcomes.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and deliver graduate-level coursework aligned with program objectives, industry trends, and professional competencies.
Create and maintain engaging course content for in-person and online learning environments.
Evaluate student assignments, presentations, and professional documents, providing individualized feedback and guidance.
Supervise graduate capstone projects from proposal development through completion, final deliverables, and publication preparation.
Monitor student academic progress, engagement, and project milestones to ensure program expectations and outcomes are achieved.
Advise graduate students on academic planning, degree progression, career development, and Individual Development Plans (IDPs).
Review and provide feedback on research proposals, papers, compliance documentation, and other scholarly work.
Facilitate partnerships between students and external organizations to create capstone and experiential learning opportunities.
Recruit, onboard, and maintain relationships with external partners to expand applied learning and professional development experiences.
Collaborate with departmental leadership to develop, coordinate, and assess undergraduate experiential learning programs; mentor students and evaluate progress toward academic milestones.
Occasionally supervise one to two graduate student hourly assistants, assigning tasks and providing guidance and oversight of work priorities.