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The University of Maine at Augusta is seeking an experienced Director of Distance Education to implement and manage the University of Maine System’s (UMS) vision of a collaborative distance education service structure. The Director will foster and support the creation and marketing of new distance education programs and courses; manage a network of hi-tech off-campus centers; provide robust online and teleservice access points; contract with the UMS and other partners for selected service and resources. S/he will be responsible for bringing stakeholders together to continuously refine a vision that reflects and anticipates changes in distance learning. The University offers a competitive salary, commensurate with qualifications and experience, and includes an excellent fringe-benefits package. For additional information about UMA, please visit our web site at http://www.uma.edu/.
Qualifications: Requirements: Graduate degree in a closely related field; successful executive level experience; proven record of building strong and positive working relationships with peers and diverse stakeholders; excellent judgment and history of successful project planning, development, and delivery, including implementation of a complex distance education project; demonstrated sound fiscal management and budget planning skills; proven track record of building partnerships among diverse groups and organizations; full range of management skills necessary to direct the operations of an organization with professional and administrative staff, and external contractors; ability to travel on behalf of the university. Preferences: Earned doctorate in a related field; experience with multi-campus systems, teaching at the university level, delivering technology-assisted education and/or training; executive-level experience working with a strategic advisory council and/or steering committee; student services experience.
Review of applications begins immediately. Applicants must submit a completed Application for Salaried Employment; a letter of application; resume; transcripts; and the names, complete addresses, and daytime telephone numbers of three current professional references to:
Administrative ServicesDirector of Distance Ed Search
University of Maine at Augusta
46 University Drive
Augusta, ME 04330-9410
Applications, the job description, and additional information about this position are available at www.uma.edu/employment.html.
We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
The University of Maine at Augusta encourages and values diversity among its students, faculty, and staff.
UMA is a member of the University of Maine System and a recipient of the Wellness Councils of America’s Well Workplace Award.
10-001P; November 13, 2009
Job Description
Department: University College Outreach
Campus: University of Maine at Augusta
Date: October 2, 2009
I. Primary Purpose of Position:
The primary responsibility of the UMS Director of Distance Education/University College is to implement the University of Maine System’s distance education vision of a collaborative service structure that
- fosters and supports the creation of new distance education programs and courses;
- markets programs and courses both in Maine and out-of-state;
- manages a network of hi-tech off-campus centers;
- provides robust online and teleservice access points to distance learning resources and support services for UMS learners, faculty, course developers, staff and administrators;
- contracts with UMS and other partners for selected services and resources (e.g. library services from UMA, local support through Maine Adult Education).
The Director is responsible for bringing stakeholders together to continuously refine a vision that reflects and anticipates changes – both technological and pedagogical - in distance learning.
II. Essential Duties:
- Provides leadership and coordination to ensure the implementation and continued successful operation of University College on behalf of the University of Maine System.
- Develops strategic plans and policies for University College that include:
- Effective use of technological solutions for collaborative learning services,
- Support for faculty teaching in an e-learning environment and that engage faculty in the development of e-learning policies.
- Clearly identified deliverables and time frames for collaborative services
- Financial and business impacts of providing collaborative services in the UMS
- Data requirements that ensure adequate tracking of numbers and patterns of student enrollment in distance learning courses
- Core resource requirements for continued operation of University College
- Reports to and advises the UMA President on a regular basis regarding all matters affecting the vision for University College and related initiatives.
- Works collaboratively with the seven UMS campuses through the UMS Distance Learning Council, the UMS Chief Academic Officers, the primary distance learning contact on each campus and the UMS Chief Information Officer.
- Develops and implements communications and collaboration strategies to engage a diverse set of partners, including
- the seven University of Maine System campuses,
- the seven Maine Community Colleges and Maine Maritime Academy,
- Maine’s local Directors of Adult Education, and
- organizations and committees representing stakeholders in higher education, plus other bodies established to pursue specific educational initiatives.
- Develops and implements strategies to increase the number of high growth/high demand programs delivered statewide, and that are consistent with the public agenda of the University of Maine System.
- Represents University campuses and students on stakeholder committees and organizations.
- Collaborates with out-of-state education institutions and agencies to build partnerships.
- Manages and directs University College operations, including (but not limited to):
- direct oversight of six University College Centers and indirect oversight of three additional university centers,
- oversight of a robust instructional design and services unit that supports quality e-learning at all seven campuses,
- annual updates of Memoranda of Understanding between UMA and the seven UMS campuses regarding University College services,
- preparing and monitoring the annual budget,
- hiring and supervising staff, and
- overseeing contracts and relationships with external service providers (particularly adult education directors at locations across Maine).
III. Non-Essential Duties:
- Works with University Counsel to develop contracts, licensing agreements and other legal documents required to produce and market new products, programs and services.
- Participates regularly in a wide array of professional development activities.
IV. Supervisory Responsibilities:
Supervises six University College Center Directors, a Director of Communications, Marketing and Production, a Senior Instructional Designer, a Resource and Enrollment Services Manager, and an Academic and Administrative Support Coordinator. Indirectly supervises one professional designer in the Marketing area, five professionals and ten classified staff in the Instructional Services unit, six professionals at the Outreach Centers, eighteen classified employees at the Outreach Centers, and three additional classified staff in Academic Logistics and Teleservice.
V. Budget Responsibilities:
Oversight of University College’s $4.5 million budget, including the building of each year’s budget and responding to UMA and UMS system requests for information. Responsible for ensuring that tuition and fees for distance courses are appropriately charged and distributed to campuses and centers.
VI. Reporting Relationship:
The Director of Distance Education reports to the President of the University of Maine at Augusta.
VII. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated leadership abilities.
- A thorough understanding of post-secondary education systems and distance education.
- Experience and understanding of the latest technological innovations in the fields of education technology and telecommunications.
- Ability to link long-range vision and concepts to day-to-day operational activities.
- Ability to build successful teams and to motivate and develop staff.
- Familiarity with best practices in e-learning and delivery of student services.
- Knowledge and passion for understanding the most appropriate uses of technology for effective learning.
- Familiarity with complex multi-campus higher education student information systems.
- Ability to manage and synthesize data to guide decision-making.
- A team player with the ability to work collaboratively with other system and university staff and faculty.
VIII. Qualifications:
Required:
- University degree at the graduate level in a related field.
- Successful experience at the executive level, preferably including experience working with a strategic advisory council and/or steering committee.
- A proven record of building strong and positive working relationships among peers and diverse stakeholders.
- Mature judgment and history of successful project planning, development and delivery, including implementation of a complex distance education project.
- Demonstrated sound fiscal management and budget planning skills.
- Proven track record of building partnerships among diverse groups and organizations.
- Full range of management skills necessary to direct the operations of an organization with professional and administrative staff, and external contractors.
Preferred:
- Earned doctorate in a related field.
- Experience with multi-campus systems.
- Experience teaching at the university level.
- Experience delivering technology-assisted education and/or training.
- Student services experience.
NOTE: UMA RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ASSIGN REASONABLY RELATED ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND CHANGE OR REASSIGN JOB DUTIES.
Revised 10/2/09, 2:30 p.m.