Assistant Director, Open Studies Programs

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Position Summary:

The Assistant Director, Open Studies Programs supports the development, coordination, and administration of the Open Studies academic unit, including current and new degree programs, non-degree programs, and all new initiatives in alignment with MICA’s mission, vision, and strategic plan. This position collaborates with academic leadership and program staff to forward innovative programs that advance MICA’s mission, meet enrollment goals and expectations. The assistant director will work closely with the directors for Open Studies degree and non-degree programs to holistically support MICA’s Open Studies learning communities. 

Summary of Essential Functions:

• Support the development of new and refining existing curricular and co-curricular experiences for open studies students

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure high-quality program experiences, enhance program offerings, drive enrollment, and maintain high-quality standards

• Support academic processes ensuring they align with the College's mission and meet the educational needs of all learners. 

Position Responsibilities:

• Support the design, development, and implementation of continuing education programs.

• Ensure that programs are market-driven, innovative, and responsive to the needs of the community.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with faculty, industry partners, employers, and community organizations to enhance program relevance and accessibility.

• Engage with stakeholders to identify emerging trends and opportunities for new program development.

• Develop, coordinate, and facilitate co-curricular experiences for Open Studies Programs, including but not limited to launch days, orientations, speaker series, and supplemental academic workshops and culminating events.

• Develop and execute strategies to promote programs, increase enrollment, and expand the reach of the College's offerings.

• Lead internal and external communications related to co-curricular experiences with participants and collaborators.

• Collaborate with the team to ensure all programs comply with university policies, accreditation standards, and industry regulations.

• Assist with assessment and evaluation processes to monitor and enhance program quality.

• Collaborate with the director of administrative services to ensure invoice processing and timely accurate payment of all vendors, presenters, supplies, and non-contractual teaching activities.

• Serve as primary liaison in the Open Studies department. Collaborate with and provide support to internal departments and external stakeholders including staff, faculty and students on behalf of the Open Studies programs.

• Assist with the departmental budget, ensuring financial sustainability and resource allocation aligns with strategic priorities.

• Assist the directors of Open Studies programs in the planning and implementing of curricular events.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational abilities, detail oriented; ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, while meeting deadlines and prioritizing changing needs.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Understanding of academic functions within a higher education environment

• Knowledge of adult learning principles, concepts, and how to apply them to solutions.

• Effective data collection, analysis, and reporting

• Ability to manage time wisely and adapt to a busy workload with the capacity to multitask and make decisions in a complex environment

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to work empathically with faculty and staff collaboratively and constructively, exercising independent judgment and taking initiative when necessary

• Ability to proactively solve problems and make evaluative judgments

• Ability to work effectively within a community and meet the needs of all student populations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree 

• Proven/relevant experience in training, instructional, operational or program management or a related field

• Experience providing robust student/customer-centered support

• Experience with E-learning technology and Software platforms such as Canvas, Zoom, Workday, Asana, Google Workspace and Slack

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in or knowledge of art and design education

• Background in or knowledge of K-12, adult, or online degree learning

• Experience with event planning, ideally curricular or co-curricular in nature

Reporting to this position:

No direct reports to this position

Conditions of employment

• Satisfactory background check

About Open Studies

Open Studies serves a broad student body of traditional and non-traditional college students, art and design professionals, lifelong learners, teens, and children. The unit administers studio-based art and design classes for adults, teens, and children, and pipeline and bridging programs in support of the college’s diversity and internationalization goals as well as a range of online graduate degrees. As MICA’s educational venture space the unit is engaged in innovating academic programming (including digital education, new curricular areas and program structures, and programs for non-traditional students) and revenue growth.
 

About MICA

Acknowledged nationally as a premier leader in art and design education, the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is deliberately cultivating a new generation of artists — one that is capable of seamlessly integrating innovation, entrepreneurship and creative citizenship with contemporary approaches to art, design and media. MICA is redefining the role of the artists and designers as creative, solutions-oriented makers and thinkers who will drive social, cultural, and economic advancement for our future. As the oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design in the nation, MICA is located in Baltimore, deeply connected to the community. It is a leading contributor to the creative economy regionally and a top producer of nationally and internationally recognized professional artists and designers. Visit the College’s website at www.mica.edu.

Benefits:

• Excellent health benefits package

• Generous annuity match

• Plentiful number of paid vacation and personal days, in addition to campus holidays

• Possibility for flexible scheduling

• Commuter benefits and employee parking

• Professional development opportunities on a variety of topics including finance, digital technologies, project management, and academic leadership

• Opportunities to meet and connect with professional and aspiring artists, designers, curators, and interdisciplinary creators and educators – from the Baltimore community and beyond

• A campus environment filled with ever-changing contemporary art

• Nearly-free access to members-only college fitness center

Application Instructions:

The College will review applications as received, and the position will remain open until filled.. Applications must be submitted via the MICA website, where applicants will be directed to Workday for submission. All inquiries, nominations and applications will be held in the strictest confidence.

Conditions of Employment:

• Conditions: Background Check

• Unusual circumstances related to position

• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends when educational events necessitate

• Ability to work on-campus, with the possibility for some telework

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal to moderate.

• Required training: Handbook orientation, Anti-Harassment, Hazard Communication, Emergency Plans & Fire Prevention, Personal Protection Equipment.

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.