Program Manager

Program Manager

The School of Behavioral & Brain Sciences (BBS) seeks a Program Manager to provide comprehensive leadership and operational oversight for the school's graduate programs. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, this position supports both master's and doctoral programs by overseeing program operations, coordinating all aspects of the student lifecycle, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and efficient academic programs. The Program Manager serves as a key liaison among faculty, students, and university administrative units, playing a vital role in promoting student success, enhancing program effectiveness, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. This position exercises a high degree of independent judgment, leads cross-functional initiatives, and manages complex academic processes that support the successful administration and advancement of graduate programs across the school.

Minimum Education and Experience - Bachelor's degree. Three (3) years of related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities - Program Management & Operations Provide guidance, training and feedback to Academic Support Coordinators and administrative staff. Lead graduate program operations across departments and ensure alignment and compliance with institutional and regulatory policies (Master and PhD). Partner with Program Heads and ASCs to promote and maintain efficient and consistent workflows. Foster collaboration and teamwork across departments and roles. Ensure timely and accurate execution of academic processes; communicate policies, timelines, and program updates clearly to stakeholders. Serve as a primary liaison between students, faculty, and university offices (e.g., Registrar, Admissions, OIDS, Financial Aid, ISSO, Office of Graduate Education). Coordinate with ASCs activities across admissions, enrollment, student support, and program administration. Oversight of graduate course scheduling. Update graduate catalog and academic documentation. Maintain and update program guides (e.g., PhD Student Guide). Resolve complex academic and administrative issues in collaboration and guidance from the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies. Support high-volume inquiries and provide effective problem-solving and case management. Monitor student progression and manage processes related to probation, leave of absence, and graduation. Provide proactive support to ensure student retention, timely progression, and successful degree completion. In support of the Associate Dean of Grad Studies, coordinate orientation, onboarding, and professional development programming. Oversee TA/RA appointments, eligibility, and related appointments. Maintain comprehensive records on graduate student outcomes, milestones, and funding assignments. Collaborate and support efforts to develop graduate recruitment strategies. Other duties as assigned.

Data Management & Reporting Conduct data analysis to support program planning, decision-making, and continuous improvement. Build and develop (with central support and guidance from school leadership) dashboards and processes to centralize data management/collection for internal leadership, accreditation, and compliance requirements. Ensure data integrity and centralized accessibility across systems and stakeholders. Support major academic initiatives, including program reviews and accreditation activities. Explore opportunities for new data software capabilities (ie AI) to support strategic growth and efficient process development.

Essential Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Excellent customer service skills. Detail oriented with the ability to multi-task, prioritize, and complete tasks within deadlines. Ability to exercise initiative and judgment over non-routine administrative tasks. Ability to work both independently and cooperatively with others. Above average proficiency in MS Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) is a must.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

Additional Information - Remote Work Notice: After the probationary period, this role may be eligible for a hybrid (partly remote/partly in office) work schedule, subject to business need and manager approval. Must be located within the DFW Area and have the ability to be on campus with 24 hours of notice. A UT Dallas Remote Work Agreement will be required within 14 days after approval.

What We Can Offer UT Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer with an employee-friendly and supportive work environment. Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package that is effective as of your hire date includes: Competitive Salary Tuition Benefits BCBS PPO Medical Insurance Options – including 100% paid employee medical coverage for full-time employees AD&D Insurance Dental & Vision Plan Options Long and short-term disability TSR Retirement Plan Fertility Benefits Paid time off All UT Dallas employees have access to various professional development opportunities, including a membership to Academic Impressions, LinkedIn Learning, and UT Dallas Bright Leaders Program.

Special Instructions Summary

Important Message - 1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public. 2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator. For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.