Associate Director - Academic Operations

Northeastern University•Boston, MA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Director of Academic Operations provides high-level leadership and operational oversight for the College of Engineering's graduate academic portfolio, which includes 45 graduate programs across six departments and multiple global campuses. This role ensures the seamless execution of all graduate academic operations, governance, curriculum management, accreditation support, and regulatory compliance. The Associate Director serves as a key liaison between the College of Engineering, the Office of the Provost, the Registrar, the Graduate Council, and other university stakeholders. This position oversees the full lifecycle of graduate programs and course governance through the CourseLeaf curriculum management system, ensuring that proposals progress efficiently, meet university standards, and align with college and institutional objectives. The role also leads the management and annual maintenance of the graduate academic catalog, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with college and university policies. This position supports accreditation efforts for all graduate programs and provides critical coordination and documentation for state and provincial licensure submissions. In addition, the Associate Director supports the development and launch of new online and on-ground graduate programs, playing a central role in planning, communication, and operational readiness.

Requirements

Master's degree in higher education administration, business, or a related field preferred
3–5 years of professional experience in an academic or administrative higher education environment required
Knowledge of academic governance, curriculum management, and university academic policies
Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex workflows simultaneously
Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, academic leaders, and central administrative offices

Responsibilities

Provide leadership for the review, update, and maintenance of all College of Engineering graduate program pages in the academic catalog
Ensure curricular, policy, and accreditation-related updates are accurate, timely, and aligned with university standards
Oversee and manage all graduate course and program proposals through the CourseLeaf system
Monitor workflow, resolve issues, ensure policy compliance, and communicate feedback to departments and academic units
Coordinate all activities for the Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC), including scheduling, agenda development, meeting preparation, communication, and minute drafting
Ensure committee actions are documented and routed appropriately
Lead coordination of assessment efforts across graduate programs and partner with departments to ensure timely submission of assessment materials
Support accreditation processes and collaborate with the Provost's Office on requirements related to state and provincial licensure
Provide operational support for the development and rollout of new on-ground and online graduate programs
Coordinate readiness activities, ensure documentation accuracy, and facilitate communication among academic and administrative stakeholders
Access and analyze program performance data including enrollment figures, course offerings, and external market trends
Provide insights to support the continuous improvement of graduate programs