Graduate Certificate Specialist (Temporary)

University of Washington•Seattle, WA

8d•$84,000 - $84,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Information School has an outstanding opportunity open for a Temporary Graduate Certificate Specialist. The Graduate Certificate Specialist (Payroll Title: Pro Staff Temp Position (NE S) ) leads the launch and operations of the Information School’s first graduate-level certificate: the 15-credit Graduate Certificate in Artificial Intelligence for Organizations (one course per quarter; initial cohort of approximately 30 students). This role is responsible for translating faculty-driven academic vision, curriculum, and policy decisions into effective operational structures, student services, and sustainable program processes. This position is initially appointed at 0.50 FTE, with the expectation that as additional certificates and pathways are developed and launched, the role will eventually expand to full-time. The Graduate Certificate Specialist serves as a thought partner to faculty and is accountable for implementing and operationalizing the certificate, including curriculum coordination, scheduling, policy execution, enrollment processes, and exploratory planning for future stacked credential pathways. This work requires close collaboration with the MSIM program team and committee to ensure curricular alignment and a seamless student experience across programs. The role also includes limited academic advising, and involves cross-unit collaboration with Career Services, Admissions, Communications, the Associate Dean and Executive Director for Academics, and key campus partners such as the UW Graduate School, Continuum College, and UW-IT. Success in this role requires professionalism, initiative, independent decision-making, and comfort operating in a start-up-within-a-university environment. As a visible contributor to program planning, improvement, and expansion, this position helps build the foundation for a broader certificate and stacked-degree portfolio for certificates that are not held within our existing programs. All iSchool employees are expected to act from shared leadership, stepping up where expertise, opportunity, and institutional values align.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in information management, project management, education administration, or related field.
Minimum of 3 years experience in program management, academic advising, academic administration or equivalent education/experience.
Experience in program planning and management, preferably in higher education.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for program documentation and stakeholder engagement.
Must be able to work independently and collaboratively with faculty, staff, and external partners.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate across multiple units and manage competing priorities.
Proficiency with budget management and reporting.

Nice To Haves

5+ years of progressive experience in academic program management or leadership.
Basic knowledge of AI and generative AI concepts and technologies to facilitate program development.
Experience with student recruitment, admissions processes, and academic advising.
Knowledge of curriculum development and implementation in technical fields.
Experience using UW systems (e.g., MyGradProgram, Slate, Student Database, BI Portal).
Proven track record of developing and implementing program assessment metrics.
Project management certification or expertise (e.g., PMP, Agile methodologies).
Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships with industry and academic units.
Experience with event planning and coordination in academic settings.
Strong data analysis skills for program evaluation and reporting.

Responsibilities

Certificate Leadership and Management (40%): Plan, schedule, and manage all the administrative functions required for the AI certificate. This responsibility requires coordinating effectively with multiple iSchool units. Specific tasks include: leading the planning for program-specific events, establishing and maintaining annual calendars, and consult on internal and external academic reports. Assist the core faculty teaching in the program in assessing strategic program development and developing key performance indicators (KPI) to assess outcomes for the AI certificate program. Elicit proposals for change, and consult on the program’s capacity for change. Manage the certificate budget, updating the budget in response to quarterly program changes, and overseeing the processing and reconciliation of all program expenses. Monitor and report on metrics of program health (enrollment, student progress, faculty engagement, etc.), advising all stakeholders on areas needing specific attention or adjustment. Manage the AI certificate curriculum in coordination with the certificate’s Program Committee. Consider the interplay between the AI Certificate and the MSIM program when assessing curricular changes. Interpret and implement UW policy, developing and adjusting processes and procedures in response to policy changes. Serve as the key liaison for the AI Certificate and new Certificate opportunities in relation to developing, facilitating, and managing partnerships with other academic programs, particularly for stacked degrees with other certificates on campus.
Student Recruiting, Admissions, and Outreach (30%): Coordinate with the Admissions team on outreach, recruitment, and admissions activities and processes for the AI certificate program. Coordinate and represent the AI certificate program at recruitment events, such as information sessions. Review applications for the certificate program. In collaboration with the Director of Admissions train other reviewers and ensure decisions are conveyed to applicants. Collaborate with iSchool Communications on the creation, writing, and editing of the AI Certificate webpages and print materials.
Student Support (20%): Identify and resolve systemic registration difficulties arising from scheduling and curriculum constraints. Respond to student inquiries within 2 business days via email, phone, zoom, and online chat. Ensure student access to online iSchool resources and communities. Advise certificate students on participation in other certificate programs on campus, and pathways into iSchool graduate programs. Develop content for and maintain student handbooks and resources to provide 24/7 self-service information for students. Develop student communication plans across the academic year to ensure timely and engaging communications sent to students. Administer all communications. Serve as the academic advisor for students on issues concerning certificate progress and completion, adhering to iSchool and UW policies.
Course Planning & Faculty Support (5%): Plan the initial course offerings each academic year in collaboration with the instructional faculty, and consult on the initial assignment of faculty to courses. Support the Associate Dean for Academics and Academics Operations Data Analyst in the course scheduling process. Coordinate with Academics HR and the Teaching & Learning team to hire, train, and coordinate support needs for guest faculty, reader/graders, and other student employees that serve the AI certificate. In partnership with the Teaching & Learning team, coordinate and participate in faculty orientation and onboarding activities. Liaise with and train iSchool faculty on changes in UW policy and procedure.
Other (5%): Participate in the iSchool Program Manager Community of Practice. Assist in planning or supporting school-wide activities such as iSchool Welcome and iWelcome Week, and Convocation.