Program Manager for Professional & Executive Programs (PEP)

Job Description

The College of Engineering has an outstanding opportunity for a Program Manager for Professional & Executive Programs (PEP) to join their team.

About this Opportunity

The UW College of Engineering seeks a strategic, collaborative, and highly effective Program Manager for Professional & Executive Programs (PEP). Reporting jointly to the Assistant Dean of Professional & Executive Programs (PEP) and through the College's Collaboration Core, this position serves as a key leader responsible for advancing the College's portfolio of professional and executive programs, driving operational excellence, and supporting strategic growth initiatives.

The Program Manager oversees a broad range of operational and strategic functions, including program administration, financial management, CRM and enrollment operations, student experience, and cross-functional initiatives. The role serves as a key resource for both Dean’s Office programs and College-wide professional education efforts, supporting more than 30 programs and educational offerings.

Working closely with faculty, academic departments, University partners, and external stakeholders, this position helps drive program growth, implement scalable operational practices, and advance new educational opportunities, including degree programs, certificates, executive education, and interdisciplinary initiatives. The Program Manager leads complex projects, develops sustainable processes, leverages data to inform decision-making, and supports initiatives that enhance student success and operational effectiveness.

The successful candidate is an experienced project manager and relationship builder who can navigate complex organizational environments, manage competing priorities, and independently lead high-impact initiatives. As a strategic partner to College leadership and academic units, this role helps shape the future of professional and executive education across the College of Engineering while supporting its broader strategic goals and mission.

Key Responsibilities

Program Management of Professional Programs (40%)

• Lead the implementation, administration, and continuous improvement of complex, college-wide professional masters and certificate programs that span multiple departments and disciplines, including stackable graduate certificates, multidisciplinary degrees, and other emerging academic programs.
• Oversee the Master’s in Multidisciplinary Engineering (MDENG) degree and other professional programs housed within the College, including admissions, capstone course, interdisciplinary faculty committee, and related program operations.
• Partner with advising staff to coordinate admissions-related activities for College-based programs, including managing application workflows, preparing materials for faculty review, tracking admissions decisions and exceptions, and ensuring timely communication with applicants and campus partners.
• Oversee the financial management of assigned programs, including budget development, resource allocation, expenditure approval, and long-range financial planning.
• Ensure financial decisions align with strategic objectives, promote long-term sustainability, and maximize the effective use of College resources.
• Serve as the College’s central resource regarding flow and distribution of revenue from fee-based graduate and professional programs as well as management of expenditure attribution for interdisciplinary efforts to support such programs.
• Serve as the College's lead liaison and subject matter expert on professional and fee-based graduate education, providing guidance to academic units, faculty, leadership, and campus partners regarding policies, program administration, funding models, and emerging opportunities.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives and strategic partnerships with academic units, the Graduate School, Continuum College, and other University stakeholders to advance College priorities, develop new programs, negotiate and manage partnership agreements and/or MOUs, and resolve complex operational challenges.
• Develop and implement scalable operational models, governance structures, and best practices that promote consistency, efficiency, and effective management across the College's professional education portfolio.
• Partner with College leadership and administrative staff to support curriculum, policy, and program review and approval processes affecting professional programs.
• Monitor enrollment, student outcomes, financial performance, market trends, and operational metrics across the professional education portfolio, providing analyses and recommendations that inform strategic planning, program investments, resource allocation, and continuous improvement.
• Support the College in academic program review, assessment, and approval processes, coordinating data analysis, documentation, stakeholder engagement, and institutional reporting requirements.

Program Management of Executive Education Programs (25%)

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the College of Engineering's executive education portfolio, including custom corporate partnerships, leadership development programs, professional certificates, workshops, and other non-credit offerings.
• Oversee portfolio planning, implementation, resource allocation, and continuous improvement to ensure high-quality program delivery and achievement of strategic objectives.
• Establish and direct scalable business processes, operational standards, and service models that enhance program quality, operational efficiency, participant experience, and long-term portfolio sustainability.
• Serve as the primary College representative for executive education partnerships, cultivating and managing relationships with corporate partners, faculty, academic units, schools and colleges, industry leaders, and University stakeholders.
• Provide strategic consultation and recommendations regarding program opportunities, market trends, risks, and growth strategies.
• Direct the development and delivery of executive education programs in collaboration with corporate sponsors, faculty, and University partners, ensuring alignment with client needs, institutional priorities, and financial objectives.
• Oversee portfolio performance, enrollment management, program assessment, and outcome evaluation, leveraging data and performance metrics to inform decision-making, measure impact, and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead financial planning and stewardship, including budget development, market analysis, revenue and expenditure oversight, resource allocation decisions, pricing strategies, and investment recommendations for executive education programs.
• Ensure financial decisions support program quality, growth, long-term sustainability, and alignment with the College’s strategic and revenue goals.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) (25%)

• Oversee the College's CRM ecosystem supporting professional program recruitment, admissions, enrollment, communications, and engagement activities.
• Direct CRM operations, technology investments, system enhancements, integrations, automation, reporting, and resource allocation.
• Evaluate platform capabilities, functionality, and associated costs, recommend operational improvements and assess alternative solutions to support program and College needs.
• Establish and maintain CRM strategy, governance, and operational best practices that support efficient workflows, effective communication, accurate reporting, and long-term scalability.
• Develop and analyze recruitment, admissions, enrollment, engagement, and CRM performance metrics to inform strategic decision-making, assess effectiveness, identify opportunities for improvement, and support enrollment growth objectives.
• Serve as the primary liaison with academic programs, marketing teams, University technology partners, vendors, and other stakeholders to guide CRM strategy, implement enhancements, resolve complex issues, and advance strategic enrollment initiatives.
• Provide leadership for CRM adoption and change management, including training faculty and staff, business process development, and ensuring compliance with University policies, data governance standards, and privacy requirements.

Other Duties (10%)

• Provide administrative support to the Assistant Dean of PEP, including calendar management, meeting coordination, and briefing and agenda preparation.
• Represent the Dean's Office on College-wide and University-wide committees, working groups, and initiatives related to professional and executive education, enrollment strategy, student experience, and academic program development.
• Provide programmatic support for ad hoc Study Abroad Summer programs.
• Collaborate with the Director of Policy and Administration and the Director of Finance to ensure compliance with UW policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

To be considered for this opportunity your application must demonstrate you meet both the minimum qualifications and additional qualifications listed below. Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license, certification, and/or registration.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Education, or equivalent education/experience.
• 5 years of progressively responsible program management experience, preferably in higher education.
• Applicants who do not meet these qualifications WILL NOT be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.

Additional Qualifications

• Ability to work collaboratively with academic leadership, student services staff, and other stakeholders, within the College of Engineering and across the University.
• Strong advocacy skills to represent the College's interests to University partners.
• Experience supporting or managing academic, professional, continuing education, or student-facing programs within a higher education environment.
• Experience coordinating program operations, including budgeting, enrollment processes, communications, or administrative functions; familiarity with fee-based program administration is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets, including forecasting, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring alignment of financial resources with strategic priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders; experience providing guidance, training, or informal supervision to staff, student employees, or project teams is desirable.
• Experience developing and improving processes, managing multiple priorities, and delivering high-quality customer service to faculty, students, and university partners.
• Strong project management, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field.
• Experience in higher education, healthcare, research, or nonprofit organizations.
• Knowledge of project management methodologies.
• Experience with grants, strategic planning, or program evaluation.

Working Conditions

• This position requires occasional evening and weekend work to support recruitment events, program activities, and other College initiatives.
• The role also requires occasional travel to recruitment conferences, industry events, and prospective student outreach activities to represent College programs and support enrollment and engagement efforts.

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

Pay Range Maximum:

Other Compensation:

Benefits:

Shift:

Temporary or Regular?

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

Union/Bargaining Unit:

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and welcoming community for all. As an equal opportunity employer, the University considers applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, sex, pregnancy, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, disability, or veteran status consistent with UW Executive Order No. 81.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

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