Academic Program Director - Physical Therapy

Academic Program Director, Physical Therapy - Austin, TX Excelon Associates is partnering with a higher education institution to recruit a Program Director to provide academic leadership, operational oversight, and strategic direction for a campus-based academic program. This individual will work closely with the Dean and faculty to ensure curriculum delivery, accreditation compliance, faculty development, and strong student outcomes, while serving as a key liaison between the program and broader institutional leadership. The Program Director is responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of the academic program in alignment with institutional goals, learning outcomes, and accreditation standards. This role provides leadership across curriculum implementation, faculty management, accreditation activities, and continuous improvement initiatives, while supporting student success and academic quality. The Program Director also plays a central role in strategic planning, assessment, and cross-departmental collaboration. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Planning Provide leadership, vision, and structure for the academic program in alignment with institutional strategic and quality improvement plans Assess and report on program metrics including faculty workload, scholarly activity, student satisfaction, graduation rates, and enrollment trends Contribute to long-term planning initiatives related to program growth, effectiveness, and sustainability Program Operations & Academic Oversight Oversee day-to-day program operations to ensure effective workflows, quality curriculum delivery, and achievement of student learning outcomes Collaborate with academic and administrative departments to coordinate initiatives and support institutional priorities Foster a campus culture focused on academic achievement, professional development, and student engagement Support educational effectiveness through reporting and participation in governance or management committees Communicate effectively with students, faculty, and staff, including advising students and supporting issue resolution Partner with clinical education teams to ensure high-quality experiential learning opportunities Participate in student recruitment activities, including information sessions and outreach efforts Ensure faculty alignment with departmental and institutional outcomes outlined in institutional effectiveness plans Faculty Leadership & Development Recruit, hire, develop, and evaluate core and adjunct faculty Support faculty workforce planning and instructional coverage Evaluate faculty performance using established standards and provide mentorship to support professional growth Build a collaborative, accountable, and mission-driven faculty culture Scholarly & Professional Engagement Stay current with educational best practices, policy changes, and industry developments affecting the program Maintain active engagement in professional organizations and scholarly activities Support a culture of continuous improvement through research-informed practice and professional development Administrative & Compliance Responsibilities Lead program-level strategic initiatives and identify opportunities for innovation and improvement Support internal and external stakeholder relationships with a strong customer service mindset Develop and manage annual budgets related to the program, including oversight of expenditures Ensure compliance with federal, state, and accrediting body requirements Lead local participation in programmatic accreditation processes, including reporting and documentation Participate in institutional meetings and leadership councils as appropriate Maintain a teaching load of approximately 0.5 FTE Approve prerequisite substitutions and transfer credit evaluations Supervisory Responsibilities Provide direct supervision to core faculty, contributing faculty, and program staff May oversee an Assistant Director or Site Coordinator Reporting Structure Reports to: Associate Dean Travel Requirements Occasional local or overnight travel to other campuses may be required Valid driver's license and state-required insurance required #excelonassociates Excelon does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital or veteran status, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr