Senior Director, Onramps

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
 

Pay Range: $157,200.00 - $282,900.00

Job Description

Job Profile Summary:

The Senior Director of Onramps at WGU Academy, an affiliate entity of Western Governors University, will be a crucial role to develop, launch, grow, operate, and improve academic onramps for each of WGU’s Schools: Business, Technology, Health, and Education. This role will be responsible for the Onramps P&L, collaborating across multiple WGU organizations and teams, determining new offerings, and delivering a world-class student experience to encourage onramp completion and successful matriculation to and eventual graduation from credential programs. The role will report to WGU Academy’s President, and work closely with WGU’s Chief Academic Officer, School leaders, and a variety of other stakeholders.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Strategic Collaboration and Integration:

• Engage regularly and effectively with WGU's Schools of Health, Education, Technology, and Business, WGU’s President, CFO, COO, and CAO, and all the organizations serving WGU students.

Innovation in Onramp Programs:

• Collaborate with WGU Academy leadership, across WGU’s academic organization to design, execute, and scale innovative Onramp programs that improve academic readiness.

Connect Onramps to a Unified Enrollment Experience:

• Work with WGU’s Marketing and Enrollment teams to build a singular enrollment experience that provides targeted starting point recommendations to students based on their unique experiences, qualifications, and objectives.

Drive Results in Completion and Matriculation to Credential Programs

• Demonstrate accountability with your team as you report weekly, monthly, and quarterly results for students, with particular attention to successful matriculation and ultimate credential completion.

Metrics Development and Continuous Evaluation:

• Work in partnership with research teams and school leaders to develop and refine metrics that assess the impact of Onramp programs.
• Ensure these metrics are used to drive continuous improvement and are aligned with the objectives of WGU and WGU Academy.

Leadership by Influence and Team Development:

• Lead within WGU’s culture, using influence to guide and coach others within WGU Academy. Emphasize the development of soft skills such as communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
• Enhance the capabilities of others across the university, ensuring they are equipped to handle the challenges of a dynamic academic environment involving multiple stakeholders that may have competing priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Thought Leadership:

• Represent WGU in external forums, bringing insights back to the university and disseminating successful practices outward, enhancing the university's reputation as a leader in innovative education strategies.
• Build robust networks with external educational and professional organizations to leverage external innovations and thinking, integrating these into WGU's short-term credential programs.

Financial Management and Resource Allocation:

• Refine a five-year vision for Onramps.
• Collaborate with finance and school leaders to ensure Onramp programs are well-funded and resources are judiciously allocated according to strat