Associate Director, Operations

Apply for Job Job ID 54053
Location Evanston, Illinois
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Department: Kellogg Executive Education
Salary/Grade: EXS/9

Job Summary:

The Kellogg School of Management is one of the top-ranked graduate schools for management education, with a renowned, research-based faculty and a variety of MBA, Executive MBA and Executive Education (non-degree) programs. Our home is on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, Illinois, just north of Chicago, with other campuses in downtown Chicago, Miami, as well as our global partner schools. Our alumni populate all points in the world and are a vibrant community that engages with our faculty and students long after they graduate.

Designed to serve working professionals, Kellogg Executive Education is known for being the first executive education offering in the world and provides clients with access to cutting-edge business education as they seek to grow their own businesses or accelerate their individual growth. Following successive years of growing demand for executive education programming, we are embarking on the construction of a state-of-the-art educational center that will propel our capacity to reach a global population and support our continued expansion. Kellogg Executive Education offers a wide range of programs which include in-person Custom and Open Enrollment Programs as well as asynchronous Online Programs.

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Associate Director, Operations will lead key aspects of program delivery for both Open Enrollment and Custom Programs across live virtual and in-person formats. This role is responsible for ensuring faculty and participants experience a seamless, high-quality learning environment that reflects Kellogg Executive Education's reputation for excellence.

In preparation for the opening of the new state-of-the-art educational center in Fall 2027, the Associate Director will play a critical role in developing operational processes, training plans, and the operating model for the new facility.

Additional responsibilities include overseeing program delivery technology platforms, managing the program schedule, and cultivating strong relationships with faculty and Academic Directors to ensure program objectives are successfully executed. The Associate Director will also supervise a team of Program Managers and temporary staff responsible for Executive Education program operations.

During periods of high program volume, this role may directly manage select programs and requires occasional evening and weekend availability to support business needs.

Specific Responsibilities:

Program Operations Administration:

• Consult with Academic Directors, and Managing Director, Program Operations to understand both custom and open-enrollment needs and identify programming and delivery solution approaches.
• Oversees technology tools and recommend and implement changes and improvement to better support program delivery and reporting
• Works collaboratively with supervisor, faculty, Executive Education staff, and contractors to accomplish duties and responsibilities and deliver high-quality programs to custom clients and open enrollment participants.
• Actively participate in efforts to improve processes; bring a mindset of continuous improvement that incorporates best practices and identifies root causes to challenges that emerge.

• Serves as liaison with Kellogg Executive Education clients and other Executive Education departments to implement processes involving online programs, including but not limited to reporting on project status, development of standard operating procedures and creation of regular reporting processes.

Financial Planning, Reporting and Contracting:

• In partnership with supervisor, support the on annual budget process operational& staffing plans and collaborates to build and monitor all programs.
• Oversees all daily, monthly & annual financial activities including transactions, analysis, & reporting.
• Develops and implements business process improvements and cost reduction opportunities
• Collects and analyzes participant, feedback and financial data, create reports, review and explain trends to support marketing, program delivery, and program design.

Evaluation and Program Innovation:

• Oversees development & implementation of evaluation processes, quantitative & qualitative measurements that ensure that program/project benchmarks are successfully attained and communicated in a timely and efficient manner.
• Manages the participant survey evaluation process; recommends & implements changes for enhancement; monitors effectiveness through follow-up evaluation studies.
• Effectively leads change initiatives to improve efficiency of operations through establishment of program standards
• Analyzes and interprets policies and procedures; develop, revise and implement policies and procedures for online learning.
• Works across Kellogg and university departments to ensure best practices and operational effectiveness are implemented in Executive Education programs.
• Work with Managing Director, Program Operations, Academic Directors, faculty, staff and others as appropriate to develop processes for participant orientation and support interventions.

Supervision:

• Supervises a team of 6-8 program managers focused on program delivery.
• Trains and supports all program managers in program execution, processes, and procedures.
• Plan and manage equitable distribution of workload across entire Program Management team, ensuring that overall productivity objectives for the department are achieved.

Miscellaneous

Perform other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree
• A minimum of 4 years of related professional experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Problem solving skills, organizational skills, verbal and written communication skills, presentation skills, interpersonal skills, customer service skills, ability to work independently and in a team.

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Master's degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable skills and abilities can be obtained is preferred.
• Experience working with faculty in a college/university setting.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Advanced desktop application skills (e.g., Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint), productivity tools (e.g., Google Drive, DropBox, SmartSheet).
• Experience with learning management systems, such as Canvas, Intrepid, Blackboard, etc. is preferred.
• Experience with CVent is preferred.
• Ability to develop program financial projections, interpret Profit and Loss statements for programs and develop plans to improve financial outcomes when necessary
• Ability to prioritize workload consistently and constructively in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, presentation skills, and project management skills.
• Project management skills, including ability to plan, manage, implement and evaluate online/hybrid courses, programs and support initiatives is required.
• Ability to develop professional rapport with faculty, program participants and senior executives.
• Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment and creative problem-solving skills in making decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize own work and multi-task and manage last-minute needs and changes gracefully.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated exceptional customer service skills.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and ownership of projects.
• Demonstrated experience working independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to direct and manage the work of others.
• Must be "self-motivated" as well as creative and efficient in proposing solutions to complex, time-critical problems.
• Knowledgeable, energetic and passionate about online education.

Target hiring range for this position will be $85,000 - $100,000 per year. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:

At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful and competitive benefits. The available benefits package for this position will include health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation and holidays; paid medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for the employee and dependents; pre-tax and flex spending accounts for commuting and dependent care; generous retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For a comprehensive overview of available benefits, including eligibility details, visit us at to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life's challenges and opportunities and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at to learn more .

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. View Northwestern's non-discrimination statement . Job applicants who wish to request an accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process .

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