Program Director, MFA in Writing for Young Readers

Program Director, MFA in Writing for Young Readers

University of San Francisco

R0010957

USF Hilltop Campus

Job Title:

Program Director, MFA in Writing for Young Readers

Job Summary:

Under the general supervision of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Strategic Initiatives, the Program Director for the MFA in Writing for Young Readers is responsible for problem-solving, results-driven administrative support, recruitment and admissions, marketing and outreach, academic/student support, and course development and execution. The Program Director also works to maintain, improve and create new graduate program initiatives.

The Program Director will carry out daily activities and initiatives with a focus on efficiency, effectiveness, and the pursuit of excellence. The Program Director will take into account the overall best interests of the College by working with other units to ensure the best and highest use of the College’s resources. The Program Director will also help advance the University’s mission and strategic priorities.

Full Job Description:

Recruitment and Admissions

• Plan, manage and execute the student recruitment, admissions, and retention process, from prospect to matriculation to graduation. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting prospects in the application process, reviewing admission applications, directing and communicating admission and scholarship decisions, managing the admissions deposit process, and overseeing yield efforts.

• Cultivate relationships with prospective students, and direct the admissions process from inquiry to registration, including counselling all prospects, applicants, and admitted students on content of the curriculum, prerequisites, and all matters related to their application status, promoting the program at conferences, leading informational meetings, and managing new prospect data.

• Plan and execute student-focused and public events, in coordination with a program assistant.

Marketing and Outreach

• Develop branding strategy and related marketing activities, as well as communications media for digital ads in coordination with the Director of the Office of Graduate Admissions.

• Responsible for developing the program’s communications and publications, including brochures, promotional videos, program overviews, student handbooks, website content, and social media content creation and distribution.

• Respond to requests for information from prospective students, media, and potential donors. Oversee the program’s contact management system.

• Oversee the program’s marketing budget.

• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations like alumni groups, community organizations, and other individuals in relevant sectors to facilitate enrollments and students’ professional development.

• Travel to other colleges and universities, conferences and graduate recruitment fairs for events.

• Develop and streamline accessible reporting for admissions, including website traffic and marketing plans.

• Create and administer surveys to track student career outcomes, alumni employment updates, student exit surveys, and other critical program data. Analyze and present results.

• Support development initiatives by drafting reports and other stewardship materials.

Academic/Student Support

• Plan and host orientation sessions for newly admitted students, in-person residencies, and other academic support activities and events for graduate students.

• Lead the academic advising process and ensure the smooth administration of student course registration.

• Responsible for student success, including organizing student academic and professional growth events, monitoring students’ academic progress, managing student conduct, organizing student-centered events, and managing degree completion process.

• Allocate faculty teaching assignments, including recommending PT faculty hires, training them, and reviewing teaching effectiveness.

• Act as a resource person/liaison between and among faculty, students, and the University community, as well as members of the public.

• Collaborate with support departments across campus to ensure that resources are available and delivered appropriately to graduate students and faculty.

Curriculum Development and Execution

• Oversee the program’s curriculum development, annual curriculum assessment, and scheduled academic program reviews, including ensuring that course content meets program learning outcomes, gathering relevant data from students and faculty, and preparing reports..

• Facilitate student enrollment, long-term course planning, academic scheduling, and course approval.

Other Responsibilities

• Serve as a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Program Directors’ monthly meetings.

• Manage program budgets, including the operating budget and scholarship allocations.

• Lead the program to achieve agreed-upon educational and financial goals.

• Collaborate with a program assistant.

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant areas required. Master’s degree or professional experience in the field preferred.

• A minimum of five years of work experience with educational program administration, or other similar program/project management that includes recruiting and data/operations is required.

• Demonstrated cultural competency and experience working with students from a diverse array of backgrounds, including experience working with graduate students.

• Ability to spearhead large projects and see them through to completion.

• Ability to understand and maintain budgets.

• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.

• Excellent computer skills (word processing, database systems, graphic design, and web maintenance skills).

• Experience with branding and marketing.

• Ability to travel locally to recruitment fairs, and to participate in events in the evenings and weekends to service graduate student events.

• Strong equity lens, cultural humility, and proven ability to work well in a diverse context.

• Understanding and commitment to USF’s mission, vision, and values.

• This is primarily a remote full-time position given the low-residency design of the program, with the expectation of leading the in-person residencies twice a year, and occasionally working from the Hilltop or Downtown campus in San Francisco when required for collaboration and meetings.

Full-Time/Part-Time:

Full time

Pay Rate:

Salary

Salary Range :

$88,000-$100,000 annualized, commensurate with experience

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6259763.

The University of San Francisco is located in the heart of one of the world’s most innovative and diverse cities, and is home to a vibrant academic community of students and faculty who achieve excellence in their fields. Its diverse student body enjoys direct access to faculty, small classes and outstanding opportunities in the city itself. USF is San Francisco’s first university, and its Jesuit Catholic mission helps ignite a student’s passion for social justice and a desire to “Change the World From Here.” For more information, visit http://www.usfca.edu.