Director of Graduate Studies and Online Programs

LASELL UNIVERSITY•Newton, MA

2d•$95,000 - $100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Lasell University seeks a forward-thinking, results-driven academic leader to provide strategic leadership for graduate and online bachelor’s degree programs within the Division of Workforce Development and Graduate Studies. The Director leads the growth, development, and continuous improvement of these programs in alignment with labor market demands and workforce needs. Reporting to the Vice President of Workforce Development and Graduate Studies, the Director is part of the division’s leadership team and helps shape its program portfolio, maintain academic rigor and excellence, foster innovation, and advance enrollment growth through market-responsive program development. The role includes supervising academic leaders and faculty, developing and launching programs in online, hybrid, and on-campus formats, supporting enrollment and student success, leading assessment and continuous improvement, and building relationships with employers and community organizations. The Director works cross-functionally with enrollment, marketing, academic operations, instructional design, IT, the registrar, and student support services to support effective program delivery and resource planning.

Requirements

Terminal degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or equivalent) in a relevant field.
7–10+ years of experience in higher education, with progressively responsible leadership experience in graduate education.
Demonstrated success in academic program development, curriculum oversight, and faculty leadership.
Experience with online and hybrid education and academic programs.
Experience supervising academic leaders and/or program directors or chairs.
Exceptional communication skills.
Strong understanding of change management strategies.
Strong understanding of labor market trends and their application to academic program development.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of instructional design.
Knowledge of accreditation standards and regulatory requirements.
Familiarity with enrollment management strategies for graduate education.
Experience using labor market analytics tools.

Responsibilities

Lead strategic expansion of graduate and online bachelor’s degree programs, identifying opportunities for new degrees with industry-recognized credentials aligned with labor market demand and emerging industries.
Conduct and use labor market analysis and competitive benchmarking to inform program development and revision.
Partner with institutional leadership, including enrollment, marketing and communications, and academic operations, to establish growth targets aligned with the university’s strategic priorities.
Supervise, support, and evaluate program chairs, program directors, and full-time and part-time faculty across the division’s academic portfolio.
Foster collaboration among program chairs, directors, faculty, and staff to promote consistency, accountability, innovation, and best practices in online education.
Guide curriculum development, program quality, enrollment performance, and faculty engagement.
Lead the development, approval, and launch of graduate and online bachelor’s degree programs in online, hybrid, and on-campus formats.
Ensure programs are relevant, differentiated, and responsive to employer and industry needs.
Promote experiential and applied learning models for non-traditional learners consistent with Lasell’s Connected Learning philosophy.
Collaborate with admissions, marketing, and enrollment staff to drive graduate and online bachelor’s enrollment growth.
Support program chairs and directors in developing enrollment strategies and program-specific value propositions.
Monitor enrollment trends and adjust program strategies to meet market demand and institutional goals.
Ensure academic rigor, quality, and consistency across graduate programs.
Establish, lead, and support a comprehensive assessment plan for each program.
Lead and support accreditation and continuous improvement efforts.
Partner with student services and advising to enhance the graduate student experience, retention, and completion rates.
Build and maintain partnerships with employers, industry leaders, and community organizations to inform program design and create student pipelines.
Establish and maintain advisory boards.
Ensure programs align with workforce trends and provide clear career pathways for graduates.
Work with instructional design, IT, the registrar, and student support services to ensure seamless program delivery.
Support efficiency in program scheduling, faculty staffing, and resource planning.