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University Senior Director, Continuing Education & Professional Studies

POSITION DETAILS

The City University of New York (CUNY) is the nation’s largest urban public university, serving 235,000 degree-seeking students and 219,000 non-degree enrollments across 25 campuses. As a springboard for economic mobility, CUNY has been instrumental in lifting individuals from the lowest economic quintile to the highest, surpassing the collective impact of Ivy League institutions and other prestigious universities. More than 50% of students hail from households earning less than $30,000 annually. 77% are students of color. 80% of CUNY’s 1 million alumni have stayed in New York City, elevating CUNY’s role as an economic engine for America’s largest City and the region. Furthermore, 1 out of every 72 undergraduate/graduate students in America is a CUNY student, making our students’ success a driver of national outcomes. CUNY non-degree programs are essential to its mission to provide high-quality, affordable education to all New Yorkers, and offer an array of accessible educational options ranging from in-demand, industry-validated credentials delivered in partnership with employers, to GED preparation, ESL, and pre-collegiate preparation programs.

The Office of Careers & Industry Partnerships (OCIP) is tasked with increasing the career success of all CUNY degree and non-degree students alike, and ensuring organizations across New York can grow thanks to CUNY talent, expertise, and assets.

Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Career Engagement & Industry Partnerships, the University Senior Director for Continuing Education & Professional Studies will play a critical role in continuing this mission by leading efforts to ensure that CUNY’s non-degree programs are equitable and effective pathways to jobs and the additional credentials needed to advance in careers (e.g. degrees). Building on the recent success of CUNY-wide initiatives such as CUNY Upskilling and the NY Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for Workforce, this role will work with CUNY campuses and external stakeholders to lay out a mobilizing university-wide vision and supportive investments, partnerships, and policies for expanding sustainable, equitable and effective non-degree pathways.

In addition to the position overview, other key duties will include, but not be limited to the following:

Leadership & Strategic Planning

-Lead the development and implementation of a university-wide strategy for innovative and employment-focused non-degree programming.

-Serve on OCIP’s senior leadership team, contributing to strategy, systems development, and policy design that align with CUNY's strategic goals.

-Act as a strategic advisor to the Chancellor, Provost, and other senior leaders on non-degree pathways, broadening participation in in-demand fields, and workforce development.

-Represent CUNY at local, state, and national forums on adult and continuing education.

-Lead, manage, and mentor a diverse team, fostering a culture of collaboration and professional growth.

Policy, Program, and Partnership Development & Implementation

-Develop, implement, evaluate, and evolve policies, investments, and partnerships to grow accessible and effective non-degree pathways to jobs and/or additional career-boosting credentials.

-Enhance CUNY’s Adult & Continuing Education portfolio by supporting the development of flexible education.

-Building on success of CUNY Upskilling Initiative, partner with campuses and employers to develop industry-aligned credentials and workforce initiatives.

-Advance the establishment of systems and tools that help to make non-degree programs more navigable, affordable, effective, and integrated with degree pathways.

-Implement strategies and policies that support Credit for Prior Learning, corporate training, and flexible education pathways.

-Grow on-ramps to non-degree programs through partnerships, including with NYC Public Schools.

-Build partnerships with key stakeholders, including public/private funders, and community-based organizations.

-Lead proposal and budget development, manage resources, and oversee CUNY-wide initiative implementation.

Data, Technology & Systems

-Lead expansion and maintenance of a University-wide centralized registration system for non-degree programs, and ensures ongoing support such as training and enhancements are provided for system adoption by all users.

-Ensure the system supports core functions such as financial aid, fiscal tracking, reporting, and other system integrations.

-Oversee collection and reporting of critical non-degree data for use by CUNY system leadership, campuses, students, and other key stakeholders.

-Establish and standardize data definitions and collection processes for program participation, completion, employment, and matriculation across all campuses.

-Produce regular reports and tools to support decision-making and performance monitoring meeting the needs of key leaders and stakeholders; ensures consistent collection of non-degree program data, including outcomes data related to completion, employment, and matriculation.

-Create tools for representing data to aid delivery of CUNY-wide initiatives.

Additional Responsibilities

-Partner with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. CUNY campuses, CUNY Central Offices, employers, funders, City/State partners, CBOs, etc.) to advance non-degree priorities.

-Present progress and proposals related to CUNY’s non-degree portfolio to CUNY and external leaders in public and internal fora, including conferences and city/state councils.

-Ensure smooth functioning and evolution of CUNY-wide Adult & Continuing Education Deans Council.

-Collaborate with campuses to clarify and implement policies and standard operating procedures related to CUNY non-degree programs/departments.

-Conduct ad hoc and formal data analysis utilizing Microsoft Excel and other tools.

-Other duties as assigned.

NOTES:

-Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM

Bachelor’s degree and eight years’ related experience required.

PREFERRED

•Experience in developing and deploying non-degree/accelerated training programs.

•Working experience in higher education, understanding of its complex systems and workforce development.

•Demonstrated success in building partnerships with employers and external stakeholders to identify needs to build programs/partnerships/policies to meet mutual goals.

•Ability to navigate complex institutions and influence positive working relations with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

•Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student success.

•Proficiency in data analysis and Excel for evidence-driven decision-making.

•Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, capable of engaging with diverse audiences.

•Strong organizational skills with the ability to independently establish plans and successfully execute multiple assignments with conflicting priorities and concurrent deadlines in a dynamic environment.

•Proven critical thinking and financial analysis skills with experience analyzing data and budgets to drive decisions.

•Exemplary judgment and ethical standards, analytical acumen, superior problem-solving skills, decisiveness and ability to deliver timely advice.

•Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, with ability to lead and manage teams, while using strategic and tactical judgment to make decisions to successfully navigate various complex scenarios.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Directs selected University-wide academic programs and operations under executive oversight.

- Develops and implements program proposals and strategic plans

- Administers all curricular, administrative, and fiscal aspects of programs and oversees support efforts

- Cultivates and maintains strategic partnerships with external parties and collaborates with faculty, administrators and staff across the University to achieve program goals

- Monitors program activities; evaluates and reports on effectiveness and outcomes

- May manage program-related and support staff

- Performs related duties as assigned.

CUNY TITLE

Higher Education Officer

FLSA

Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range is **$129,310 to $141,848** , commensurate with credentials, education, and experience.

CUNY is in the process of implementing salary schedule increases. Once implemented, salaries of eligible employees will be adjusted by 6.09% with additional increases of 3.25% effective 9/1/2025 and 3.5% effective 9/1/26, in accordance with the terms of the PSC-CUNY collective bargaining agreement.

CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development. We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off. Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY's web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials meet the responsibilities and qualifications outlined.

The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:

https://hrsa.cunyfirst.cuny.edu/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMSCG/c/HRS\_HRAM\_FL.HRS\_CG\_SEARCH\_FL.GBL?

Page=HRS\_APP\_JBPST\_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=30708&PostingSeq=1

Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using their login credentials. After you login, click the Careers tile on the Employee Self Service Menu page to view job openings.

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

30708

Location

Central Office