Program Manager, Children, Youth and Pre-Collegiate Programs

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) seeks a Program Manager, Children, Youth and Pre-Collegiate Programs to join Continuing Education (CE). 

The Program Manager, Children, Youth and Pre-Collegiate Programs (CYP) is responsible for the successful implementation of a portfolio of academic offerings across the different programs in the CYP vertical. This may include Pre-College, Advanced Program Online, teen Courses, children’s courses, camps, and/or custom offerings. This role involves researching, planning, staffing, coordinating, monitoring, evaluating, and implementing a diverse range of online, in person, and hybrid learning initiatives. This role actively engages with the Associate Director for CYP Programming, other Program Managers, instructors, and key CE staff to develop and assess these initiatives. 

Responsibilities also include hiring, orienting, supervising, and evaluating instructors, maintaining current program standards, proposing new ideas, and integrating technology into traditional subject areas. The position serves as the initial point of contact for various inquiries, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among instructors, staff, and students. This involves coordinating with Program Managers and key staff and consulting with stakeholders to meet planning, academic, and programming expectations. The position maintains high standards for current programs and addresses inquiries related to CYP programs, ensuring timely and thoughtful resolutions.

We seek a culturally competent candidate who will thrive in a campus environment that is committed to advancing the principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.

Essential Functions:

• Manage all aspects of program planning for assigned CYP programming, including scheduling, recruitment, and logistics for both online and in-person classes. 

• Oversee the program planning cycle of planning, course building, facilitation, and evaluation for assigned programs.

• Research and recommend course ideas and draft course descriptions that support students' artistic, creative, social, and intellectual development. 

• Assess program outcomes and recommend improvements to the Associate Director.

• Serve as the central point of contact for assigned programs, ensuring standards, procedures, and academic policies are maintained and updated. 

• Collaborate with CE staff and instructors to address and resolve issues related to grades, instructor relations and performance, and student experience.

• Recruit, train, contract, hold accountable to deliverables, and evaluate instructors, maintaining overall communication. 

• Collaborate with staff to resolve logistical and course supply issues.

• Support ongoing program evaluation by reviewing curriculum, reviewing course shells in the learning management system, benchmarking against competitors, meeting with instructors, and reviewing student evaluations. Recommend program changes to the Associate Director and Director.

• When appropriate (based on program) engage proactively with staff in student advisement, counseling current and prospective students on course selection and addressing advisement issues.

• Consult with staff to develop or modify plans, ensuring annual program goals and targets are met. Manage the flow of program materials and instructor information to relevant staff.

• Train and potentially supervise seasonal staff members or student workers.

• Collaborate with supervisor for campus wide programmatic matters, including negotiating space, equipment needs, technology, materials, and other essential requirements.

• Collaborate with CYP Custom Programs staff and CE Central Services on shared initiatives or special projects. 

• Perform other tasks and handle special projects, as needed or requested.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• BFA, BA/BS in appropriate disciplines such as art, design, art education, arts management. 

• Minimum three (3) years’ experience in art education and/or program management in an arts or continuing education environment 

• Demonstrated leadership experience

• Demonstrated understanding and ability to stay abreast of current trends and developments in various art and design fields within