Manager, Instruction Faculty

The salary range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:
 

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Establishes clear performance expectations for and with input from assigned Instructor.
• Manages instructor performance to achieve VSAT, pacing, non-attempt rate, pass rate, OTP, retention, and student satisfaction goals.
• Conducts instructor performance reviews and manages performance improvement plans.
• Develops and leads the team- and program-specific training initiatives.
• Catalyst for team morale. Ensures that instructors are connected and engaged with each other.
• Leads team meetings and designs and leads training meetings.
• Effectively serves both assigned students and assigned instructors.
• Provides direct, comprehensive guidance to assigned students and assigned instructors.
• Maintains appropriate documentation of all student- and employee-related transactions.
• Manages students’ academic progress according to university policies.
• Maintains regular communication with students according to university protocol.
• Uses the telephone and email extensively throughout the day.
• Understands WGU degree programs, policies, and procedures.
• Provides accurate information and high-quality customer service at all times.
• Participates in department planning, hiring, and training initiatives, as a member of the Faculty Leadership Team
• Collaborates with product management, assessment, academic services, enrollment, educational technology, and other WGU department leaders to provide students a personal, flexible, and seamless education experience. 
• Develops and implements effective communication strategies to impact the student experience positively 
• Collaborates with department leaders to make hiring and promotion recommendations 
• Ensures that strategic plans are executed, and results are analyzed for the future direction
• Designs and implements initiatives, take ownership of assigned deliverables, and applies strong leadership skills to improve student success rates. 
• Builds and leads a high-performing, cross-functional team 
• Develops strategic and effective working relationships with key WGU stakeholders
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Understanding and appreciation of a competency-based education model
• Experience leading teams focused on student support and instruction
• Documented use of technology based educational delivery systems
• Demonstrated ability to work with struggling or at-risk students
• Demonstrated ability to function in a leadership and guiding role that enhances student achievement toward educational goals in a competency-based learning environment
• Track record for effective coaching and communication skills with a widely diverse student population
• Track records for effective communication and collaboration with a diverse professional population of WGU colleagues, partners, and stakeholder professional integrity that represent the educational standards within higher education
• Strong leadership skills
• Ability to inspire and engage team members
• Experience leading change while increasing specific, measurable results
• Team player able to collaborate with leaders and experts at all levels
• Must be comfortable with collecting, analyzing, and using quantitative information to implement change
• Thrives in a dynamic, innovative work environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to present information clearly, concisely, and accurately
• Technologically competent with online teaching tools, video conferencing tools, and MS Office suite
• Comfortable working in a pay for performance environment
• Leads ongoing team- and program-specific training in a distributed (in-office & remote employees) environment.

Competencies: 

Organizational Impact:

• Manages a team that focuses on executing the operational plans for the job area with measurable contribution to the achievement of results of the department, function, or office.
• Assigns and distributes work.
• Compiles data to prepare budgets.

Problem Solving and Decision Making:

• Responsible for making moderate improvements of processes or systems to enhance performance of the job area.
•  Assignments received and problems faced are broad and undefined, and occasionally require use of analytical concepts, investigation, and knowledge from prior experience.

Communication and Influence:

• Communicates within job area and occasionally with external groups. External facing professionals (i.e. Admissions) communicate more regularly with external groups on routine matters.

•  Ensures compliance with University policies and procedures within job area and may influence others outside of job area to justify and gain cooperation for policies, practices, and procedures.

Leadership and Talent Management:

• Manages/Supervises a team of professionals.   Manages the work of assigned employees and/or supervisors who generally exercise some latitude and independence in their assignments. Ensures proper training of team members, and participates in hiring, firing, and promotion decisions. Conducts performance reviews and may recommend salary reviews.
•  May complete assignments that are technical in manner in addition to supervising others.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Typically requires a University Degree or equivalent and a minimum of 5 years specific experience which generally includes Supervisory experience.
• Requires broad management knowledge to lead the department. Generally, has advanced level knowledge and skills within a specific technical or professional discipline with understanding of the impact of work on other areas of the University.

Department Specific Minimum Qualifications:

• Masters degree in the field of study

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD is preferred
• 5 years leadership experience in higher education, publishing, editing or related field

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

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As an equal opportunity employer, WGU recognizes that our strength lies in our people. We are committed to diversity.