Assistant/Associate Director, Academic Support Svcs

Classification Title:

Assistant/Associate Director, Academic Support Svcs

Classification Minimum Requirements:

AST DIR, Academic Support Svcs:  Master’s degree in an appropriate area and two years of relevant experience; or a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience.

ASO DIR, Academic Support Svcs:  Master's degree in an appropriate area and four years of relevant experience; or a bachelor's degree in an appropriate area and six years of relevant experience.

Job Description:

Marketing and Recruiting

This position is responsible for the marketing of the academic program to include development of marketing strategies and strategic planning. The success of the program is contingent upon the ability to generate interest and enrollment. A critical aspect of the marketing function is the responsibility for developing corporate contacts to motivate interest in the program and to generate student applications. This requires personal contact with human resources personnel and/or technical managers, including visits to corporate sites, and the organization and presentation of information sessions at remote locations that attract potential applicants, human resources personnel, and/or technical managers. Recruitment efforts also include collaboration with other schools with the goal of promoting awareness of higher education opportunities for working professionals. Examples of such collaboration include membership and participation in various formal higher education alliance groups (e.g., Tampa Bay Higher Education Alliance and Central Florida Higher Education Alliance), and attending and presenting displays at education fairs held off campus at corporate sites. To conduct these activities, this position requires frequent travel throughout the state.

Responsibilities include negotiating promotional contracts with newspapers, magazines, radio stations and other outlets, and the development of promotional materials such as brochures, flyers, postcards, and newspaper and radio advertisement copy. Responsibilities also include managing the OEM Program's Internet presence and strategic development and use of this presence to promote the program. This position provides direction, priorities, and ongoing guidance to the OEM academic assistant on marketing, recruitment, and communications tasks (e.g., event coordination, promotional materials, communication lists, and follow‑up outreach) to ensure alignment with program strategy.

Application Processing and Admissions-Related Responsibilities

This position is responsible for advising and guiding prospective students in the completion of their applications, and for the timely and accurate processing of student applications, including handling application fees and confidential application materials. It is crucial for this position to establish and maintain contact with potential applicants, screen them for admissibility, and to encourage them to apply, when appropriate. Following up with prospective students and providing assistance with application forms and procedures is often necessary. The position evaluates transcripts and other submitted application materials and is responsible for conducting interviews with applicants either in person or by telephone and advising on the final admission decisions. The position is responsible for advising and counseling admitted students, and for resolving issues in an appropriate fashion, frequently interacting with personnel in the Office of Admissions and the Graduate School. The associate director works with and advises the OEM academic assistant in application and admissions processing activities, including file preparation, summary reports, review cycles, and decision letter processing, to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and consistent communication with applicants.

Program Management & Growth

This position supports the Director in advancing the strategic growth of the OEM Program, including managing capacity issues that arise from program expansion, implementing recommendations on the timing of adding new cohort(s), and assisting in the development and pursuit of growth opportunities such as potential program extensions and customized offerings at on-site corporate facilities. In fulfilling these responsibilities, the Associate Director advances and reinforces the Director’s strategies and initiatives, ensuring that the program’s tradition of the highest-quality graduate education remains the highest priority.

This position is responsible for developing and recommending policies pertaining to the OEM Program and for interpreting and implementing educational and administrative policies and regulations, ensuring that all policies and activities are in compliance with appli