Looking for Program Manager, Online in Chicago, IL
Posted 2025-03-15Job title: Program Manager, Online
Company: University of Chicago
Job description: Department
PSD Applied Data Science Staff
About the Department
The MS in Applied Data Science program is a professional graduate program within the Data Science Institute (DSI) and Physical Sciences Division (PSD) at the University of Chicago. The DSI executes the University of Chicago?s bold, innovative vision of Data Science as an evolving discipline, and the PSD explores new frontiers in the physical and mathematical sciences to lead the world in inquiry and impact. The purpose of the MS in Applied Data Science program is to train and educate the next generation of data scientists for technical- and management-focused career paths. The MS in Applied Data Science program offers both an In-Person and Online option with full- and part-time tracks. The Program Manager, Online would be joining a mid-sized team of instructional services, enrollment management, student affairs, career services/external partnerships, and marketing/advertising staff?in addition to a cadre of industry-expert faculty and instructors. The MS in Applied Data Science program is located at the university?s NBC Tower space in downtown Chicago, IL. Learn more at datascience.uchicago.edu/masters-programs.
Job Summary
Reporting to the MS in Applied Data Science?s Director of Instructional Services and Innovation, the Program Manager, Online works closely with the leadership, staff, students, and faculty of the program to manage daily operations of the MS in Applied Data Science Online Program. In addition to being responsible for the overall administration of the MS in Applied Data Science Online degree program, the Program Manager, Online serves as a thought partner to the Director of Instructional Services and Innovation and the Faculty Director of the Online Program?specifically, for strategy and implementation of best practices for online teaching and learning. The Program Manager, Online is responsible for leading the planning, execution, and assessment of a bi-annual ?Immersion Weekend? where Online Program students visit campus to network and engage in relevant activities. The Program Manager, Online collaborates as needed with enrollment management staff, student affairs staff, and additional instructional services team members to ensure Online Program courses are optimized and students are supported. The Program Manager, Online serves as a key leader for supporting and leading training for Online Program faculty and classroom support staff. The Program Manager, Online collaborates as needed with the DSI, PSD, and other central UChicago offices. This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule.
Responsibilities
Program Operations
- Leads the daily operations of the MS in Applied Data Science Online Program alongside a team of three additional full-time Instructional Services staff, the In-Person and Online Program Faculty Director, and the Chief of Staff/Executive director.
- Serves as a resource for Online Program information. Resolves problems or questions referred by program staff, University administrators, or other contingencies and acts as a liaison between the program and program participants.
- Collaborates with MS in Applied Data Science staff on internal communication to Online students in coordination with the PSD Dean of Students Office as needed (e.g., academic calendar, curriculum changes, policy changes, other important deadlines).
- Participates in decision-making for Online Program budget decisions including Immersion Weekend and other Online student events.
- Serves as project lead and logistics coordinator for the planning and execution of the bi-annual Online Program Immersion Weekend.
- With the guidance of the Director of Instructional Services and Innovation and other program staff/faculty, sets the direction for the Online Program, acts on pending issues, develops/maintains goals in all program dimensions.
- Collaborates with the Online Program Director to plan and develop program objectives, long-term goals, and procedures, which requires expanded knowledge and experience in the area of online program management.
- Collaborates with MS in Applied Data Science faculty leadership and staff to plan, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of the Online Program, initiating revisions as needed and ensuring that student feedback and concerns are incorporated into improve program processes and design.
- Provides leadership and direction as the Instructional Services team supports sustainable growth of the Online Program, increased student satisfaction, and excellent faculty support and professional development opportunities.
- Collaborates with MS in Applied Data Science team on student affairs strategy for the Online Program in terms of the ?student experience?.
- Leads the efforts to assess and evaluate Online students? curricular and co-curricular experiences to ensure the highest level of rigor and a high-quality student experience within the Online program are achieved.
- Ensures that the full lifecycle of the Online student experience including onboarding of new students, communications, orientation events, course planning, registration, placement exams, foundational workshops and non-credit courses, course approvals is executed smoothly for the Online students.
- Collaborates with the MS in Applied Data Science Enrollment Management staff to develop compelling information sessions, webinars, and yield activities for the Online Program.
- Works with the Director of Instructional Services and Innovation to ensure the Online students have appropriate Student Affairs team support for course planning, medical and personal leaves of absence, course registration, individual career coaching and academic advising, monitoring student progress, academic probation.
- Collaborates with the MS in Applied Data Science Career Services/External Partnerships team on networking and career exploration opportunities (e.g., events, alumni connections, graduate fairs, workshops, other).
- Provides in-depth knowledge in developing executive or professional degree programs and/or curriculum for online programs. Implements plans for executive or professional degree online programs and initiatives.
- Reinforces the guidelines and policies for the Online Program to ensure courses are developed and taught with consistency to provide students in the program a cohesive online learning experience.
- Coordinates with and assists instructors in the quarterly setup of Canvas courses for the program, including managing a continuous improvement process through reviews of course evaluations, instructional materials, and Canvas site design quality.
- In consultation with the Online Program Director and Director of Instructional Services and Innovation, facilitates monthly discussions and ongoing professional development opportunities for Online Program instructors leveraging instructor insights, student feedback, and best practices to improve course facilitation and design.
- Performs other related work as needed.
Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
Experience:
- Working in academic affairs, including direct faculty/instructor-facing responsibilities.
- Working with international students.
- Experience with professionally oriented graduate programs.
- Experience with instructional design-related responsibilities.
- Teaching a full quarter or semester course.
- Writing/designing syllabi for a curricular or co-curricular course.
- Experience connecting relevant research/theory to practical applications.
- Proficiency in office software such as Microsoft Office, Google Docs, etc.
- Experience with learning platforms and technologies (e.g., Canvas, Zoom, Panopto)
- Advanced data and reporting skills for prospective and enrolled student data management (e.g., Slate, Excel, other CRMs)
- Outstanding interpersonal skills including the ability to resolve problems with a high degree of discretion, diplomacy, and tact.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate to a diverse audience including students, faculty, donors, and staff.
- Ability to coordinate with many partner offices simultaneously to innovatively problem solve on behalf of students and staff.
- Superior organizational skills and constant attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently with guidance in only the most complex situations.
- Commitment to excellent customer service, including tact, discretion, and proper judgement as necessary.
- Experience in designing and executing training and/or professional development sessions for faculty.
- Expertise in project management frameworks.
- This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.
- This position requires limited work on evenings and weekends.
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (required)
- References (required)
Job Family
Academic Affairs
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
FLSA Status
Exempt
Pay Frequency
Monthly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Benefits Eligible
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
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We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
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Expected salary:
Location: Chicago, IL