Manager for Academic Affairs
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE):
The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) collaborates with multiple partners to facilitate Indiana’s goal to implement the HOPE (Hoosier Opportunities and Possibilities through Education) Agenda aimed at raising Indiana’s college attainment rate, from short-term credentials through graduate degrees. To achieve that goal, the Commission’s focus is to become a top 10 state in terms of the college-going rate, completions, graduate retention, service to key adult populations, and utilization of credit for prior learning. The ultimate vision of the HOPE Agenda is to be a top 10 state in terms of economic and social mobility and prosperity and a top 10 state to grow, start, or locate a business based upon the strength of human capital. Our multifaceted approach includes significantly improving and conveying the value of a college education, managing the state’s significant need-based financial aid, expanding academic programs and partnerships, amongst other strategic initiatives. Learn even more about us at www.in.gov/che.
Role Overview:
The Manager of Academic Affairs directly assists the Commission’s Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer (CAO) in fulfilling statutory responsibilities to approve new academic degree programs in the public postsecondary sector, to review and monitor established public academic programs, and to maintain key information about all programs in all sectors through the Commission for Higher Education Data Submission System (CHEDSS). The role will also complete targeted research projects, the results of which will often be presented to senior staff, the Academic Affairs and Quality Committee (AA&Q), and/or the full Commission. The Manager is a direct report to the Senior Associate Commissioner and Chief Academic Officer (CAO) and is vital to ensure the organized, timely processing of the above workflow.
You will serve as the primary lead for:
- All changes to the Academic Program Inventory (API) for the public, private non-profit, and private for-profit postsecondary sectors.
- Processing all new academic program proposals from public institutions and all routine staff action requests from public and private for-profit institutions.
- Processing the review and improvement monitoring of academic programs at public institutions, including the identification and usage of important performance measures and metrics.
- Preparing, circulating, and posting agenda documents and other materials for the AA&Q Committee, including staffing the monthly meetings in support of the CAO.
- Complete short-term, applied research projects related to Commission goals for which the Academic Affairs Unit has responsibility.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $60,000.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are:
- Managing the processing of new academic program proposals and routine staff action requests, which includes adding and modifying entries on the Academic Program Inventory (API) on the Commission for Higher Education Data Submission System (CHEDSS), as well as preparing and sending confirmation letters to institutions;
- In direct assistance with the CAO, coordinating with institutions proposing new academic programs for AA&Q Committee consideration, including the preparation for and staffing of “degree calls” with faculty and institutional representatives;
- Processing the review and monitoring procedures for established public academic programs, including the development of a new statutory dashboard to publish quantitative and qualitative information to ensure public accountability and transparency;
- In direct assistance with the CAO, prepare meeting agendas, presentations, and materials for the AA&Q Committee, including staff recommendations and memoranda requiring official action;
- Serving as the Academic Affairs lead to work with vendors to develop software improvements to CHEDSS, such as writing developer application tickets, providing necessary testing, and attending bi-weekly meetings;
- Maintaining and continuously improving the Commission’s Academic Affairs website and online resources for postsecondary institutions, including up-to-date policy guidance documents and various institutional submission forms, including program approval and review packets;
- Undertaking short-term, applied research projects to support major responsibilities of the Academic Affairs Unit, which includes making data runs using the CHEDSS extraction tools and assembling data from external sources;
- Serving as the Commission’s secondary lead for statutory academic transfer programs and procedures, such as the Core Transfer Library (CTL), Indiana College Core (ICC), Transfer Single Articulation Pathways (TSAPs), and the Statewide Transfer and Articulation Committee (STAC), in direct assistance to the Director of Academic Affairs and Transfer as needed;
- Assisting with the monitoring of contracts and the Academic Affairs Unit’s budget; and
- Assisting all members of the Academic Affairs unit in developing and communicating policies, findings, and other useful information to key constituencies, especially postsecondary institutions.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time. This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours, which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
A succesful candiadate will have:
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team setting and display initiative in helping other staff as needed in achieving the goals of the agency;
- Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with external stakeholders, especially the academic affairs staff of state educational institutions, including anticipation of stakeholder needs and responsive customer service;
- Working knowledge of postsecondary education public policy and academic programs, including accreditation standards and CIP Codes (experience working with or within higher education is highly desirable);
- Ability to research, interpret, and summarize program and policy information in a manner that provides actionable insights to advance the Commission’s approach of What? So What? Now What?;
- Excellent listening, written, and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex and specialized program and policy information to a wide spectrum of audiences in a courteous and effective manner;
- Ability to represent both the CAO and Commission in academic affairs settings;
- Ability to set priorities and manage one's time;
- A strong working knowledge of Adobe PDF and Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and, most especially, Excel, which can be used to track workflow, inventory processes, and produce finished tables and graphs for presentations and published reports; and
- WordPress knowledge is a plus, but not a requirement.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
