Director of Graduate Academic Programs

Job Summary:

The Director of Graduate Academic Programs provides leadership for all aspects of academic planning and advising for Neeley’s portfolio of MBA and MS programs and Certificates. This entails maintaining degree plans, forecasting and communicating demand for specific classes, and working with Academic Department Chairs and other stakeholders to ensure classes are scheduled as needed. The leader in this role is ultimately responsible for developing and executing a strategy to ensure Neeley’s ability to deliver on degree plans for hundreds of students across a variety of graduate degrees and certificates.

Duties & Essential Job Functions:

1. Serves as a key partner to faculty, Academic Department Chairs and Assistant Department Chairs, and Faculty Program Directors. Leads and develops strategy pertaining to class scheduling, student class enrollment, and degree plan updates. Accountable for maintenance of the relevant portions of TCU’s Graduate Catalog, and for communications pertaining to academic probations/dismissals.
2. Partners with Academic Department Chairs and other stakeholders to ensure that degree plans, and requirements for Specializations and Certificates, are current. Maintains the accuracy of academic content on the Neeley website.
3. Provides coaching and guidance to direct reports to ensure excellence in supporting students, faculty and other stakeholders related to advising, the communication of class scheduling changes, matters pertaining to academic integrity, classroom management practices, and enrollment exception requests.
4. Serves students by providing access to additional skill building opportunities, anticipating and responding to student inquiries and concerns, communicating academic policies and timelines, providing academic advising, and soliciting and appropriately responding to input from students and faculty.
5. Provides guidance and direction in support of seamless academic support for students and faculty in the Executive MBA program by managing class registration on behalf of students, working with campus stakeholders to ensure accuracy of student billing, providing classroom and technical support, managing contracts in support of academic initiatives, obtaining and ordering course materials to include text books and cases, and providing ad hoc support to students and faculty.
6. Supports the administration of study abroad registration, ensuring compliance with TCU study abroad policies and processes.
7. Serves as the first point of contact in managing the escalation of academic concerns, working in conjunction with the Assistant Dean, Graduate Programs to ensure transparency and consistency.
8. Plans and leads high-caliber graduation-related celebrations, to include Hooding Ceremonies, that are in alignment with university guidance.
9. Responds to data requests, including those pertaining to rankings surveys, with accuracy and timeliness, and serves as the primary liaison between Accreditation and Assessment leaders and the broader Graduate Program team.
10. Tracks and communicates scholarship allocations, using established university forms and processes, in support of accurate student billing.
11. Works in partnership with the Neeley Budget Office on processes and communications related to the hiring of MBA and MS students across the business school
12. Collaborates with Graduate Programs colleagues in support of outstanding student recruiting outcomes, to include participating in student interviews and presenting academic information in a clear and compelling way
13. Acts as a liaison as needed to colleagues in offices including the TCU Registrar’s Office, Student Financial Services, Neeley’s Director of Assessment, TCU’s Office of Institutional Research, the College of Education, Brite Divinity School, and the TCU Medical School.
14. Conducts research and analysis, including assignments related to identifying and vetting new academic programs or academic program components.
15. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Master’s Degree in Business, Higher Ed or a related field
• Five plus years of experience supporting student success in a university environment
• Three plus years of working with a variety of stakeholders in a university or corporate setting (can be concurrent).

Preferred Education & Experience:

• Experience advising or coaching students or professionals
• Experience in a graduate business school environment

Required Licensure/Certification/Specialized Training:

• None

Preferred Licensure, Certification, and/or Specialized Training:

• None

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge and ability to manage all tasks and process necessary to deliver multiple and diverse academic programs.
• Knowledge of graduate school programs, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge and ability to create, develop, and execute special programming as needed.
• Ability to plan and execute academic ceremonies and celebrations appropriate for a high-touch environment.
• Skill in presenting to a large audience.
• Skill in managing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to manage complex budgets.
• Ability to use strong communication, operational management and team leadership skills.

TCU Core Competencies:

University Core Competencies definitions may be found on the Human Resources website and in the staff performance management system.

Physical Requirements (With or Without Accommodations):

• Visual acuity to read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Able to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects and equipment up to 10 lbs.

Work Environment:

• Work is indoors and sedentary and is subject to schedule changes and/or variable work hours.
• This role is an on campus, in-person position.
• There are no harmful environmental conditions present for this job.
• The noise level in this work environment is usually moderate.

Employment Values Statement:

Texas Christian University values Integrity, Engagement, Community, and Excellence in the workplace. TCU treats applicants and employees with fairness and respect. TCU hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and their commitment to making a positive impact on our student-centered community. TCU is an equal opportunity employer and follows all applicable employment laws. TCU fairly considers all qualified individuals, ensuring we are a workplace free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.