Senior Program Manager, Academic Engagement and Career Readiness

Senior Program Manager, Academic Engagement and Career Readiness Location: San Antonio, TX Regular/Temporary: Regular Job ID: 15412 Full/Part Time: Full Time Job Summary The Senior Program Manager for Academic Engagement and Career Readiness provides leadership and strategic direction for undergraduate student success initiatives, with a primary focus on preparing graduates to be professionally ready. This role is responsible for shaping and advancing a cohesive vision for academic engagement, career readiness, and experiential learning across undergraduate programs, while also overseeing and supporting the Graduate Program Coordinator to ensure alignment and continuity of student experiences. As a senior staff position within the department, the Senior Program Manager is expected to bring experience, initiative, and innovation to strengthen student outcomes, enhance industry partnerships, and support accreditation and assessment efforts. The position works collaboratively with faculty, academic units, advising partners, and external stakeholders to improve retention, progression, and career-relevant experiences. Core Responsibilities Undergraduate Academic Engagement & Advising Support Provide high-level guidance to undergraduate students regarding programs of study, academic pathways, and progression toward degree completion, complementing formal advising structures. Identify barriers to student success and recommend strategies to improve retention, time to degree, and overall academic engagement. Career Readiness & Signature Experiences Lead efforts to expand, track, and assess undergraduate signature experiences, including internships, co‑ops, undergraduate research, service learning, and other applied learning opportunities. Develop and track participation metrics related to professional experiences, with a focus on increasing internship and experiential learning engagement. Collaborate with faculty and academic leadership to integrate career readiness and industry‑aligned competencies into the undergraduate curriculum. Industry and Professional Engagement Initiate and sustain partnerships that connect students with industry and professional communities through experiential learning, guest lectures, mentorship, and career‑focused programming. Support initiatives that enhance students' exposure to professional environments and workforce expectations. Scholarships and Student Support Resources Coordinate the awarding, tracking, and impact assessment of academic unit scholarships. Analyze scholarship data to assess effectiveness in supporting retention, persistence, and student success. Graduate Program Coordination Serve as the manager and primary liaison for the Graduate Program Coordinator, providing guidance, oversight, and strategic alignment. Partner with the Graduate Program Coordinator to enhance the graduate student experience and ensure operational consistency across undergraduate and graduate programs. Academic Operations and Registration Support Support student registration processes by tracking, reviewing, and expediting unit-level forms and requests, including prerequisite overrides, independent studies, and co‑op approvals. Ensure timely processing and clear communication with students, faculty, and advising partners. Assessment, Data, and Accreditation Support Assist with data collection, reporting, and documentation for ABET or other accrediting agencies. Use data to inform continuous improvement efforts related to student success, engagement, and academic outcomes. Key Metrics and Outcomes Undergraduate retention rates. Graduation rates. Time to degree completion. Participation in signature experiences, including the percentage of students completing internships or equivalent experiential learning. Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree in a related field. Three (3) years of related work experience. Demonstrated experience in higher education administration, student success initiatives, academic programs, or career readiness efforts. Experience providing leadership, program development, and strategic vision in a complex academic environment. Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, with the ability to use data to inform decision‑making. This position requires the ability to maintain the security and integrity of UT San Antonio and its infrastructure. Preferred Qualifications Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, administration, or a related field. Experience supervising professional staff. Familiarity with accreditation processes (e.g., ABET) and outcomes assessment. Experience developing industry partnerships or experiential learning programs. Data‑informed decision‑making. Process improvement and operational effectiveness. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Independent decision-making. Problem‑solving ability. Tact, diplomacy, and judgment. Able to develop and implement goals and objectives. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Understanding of program management techniques and methods. Working Conditions Office environment. Ability to travel to and from meetings, training sessions, or other business‑related events. Physical Demands Sedentary work; sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required, only occasionally. Exerts up to 30 lbs of force occasionally. This position will work primarily on campus. Travel and parking expenses are the employee's responsibility. This position is contingent upon a successful background check. Verification of a valid driver's license and Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) may be completed as applicable. Applicants selected must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire. Equal Employment Opportunity As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, it is the policy of The University of Texas at San Antonio to promote and ensure equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or genetic information, and veteran status. The University is committed to the affirmative action program in compliance with all government requirements to ensure nondiscrimination. #J-18808-Ljbffr The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.