Director of Online Learning

Director of Online Learning

Portland Campus

Hours: 40 hours/week (1.0 FTE)

Accountability: Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Chuck Conniry

Proposed Start Date: May 1, 2020

Position Summary: The Director of Online Learning provides strategic leadership to the seminary’s growing online programs. Over the past five years, the seminary’s online programs have increased 149% in headcount and 259% in student FTE. The seminary is looking for a dynamic and visionary leader who will build on the success of the online programs under the direction of the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. The director will develop and implement policies and procedures for the seminary’s online programs as well as facilitate the growth and development of online programming, overseeing and evaluating its educational effectiveness. In conjunction with the Assistant Dean and Office of Academic Affairs, the director will work with faculty and staff to promote and develop online courses and programs and provide support to students and faculty.

Essential Functions:

• Serve as a core member of the seminary’s full-time faculty.
• Organize and lead initiatives for online programs.
• Identify emerging trends and conduct needs analyses that offer opportunities for new programming and services and facilitate the development of new programs.
• Work with faculty and other seminary departments to identify ways that online programming can build on strengths of existing programs and identify opportunities in emerging markets and communities.
• Help set policy related to pedagogy, technology, and online education.
• Serve on campus committees and contribute expertise toward making policy, processes, and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with licensing and copyright laws and regulations.
• Benchmark and network with colleagues across the seminary and at peer institutions.
• Oversee the assessment of online programs and courses. Identify ways to streamline, make consistent, and otherwise optimize processes (e.g., student services, scheduling, marketing, data analytics, etc.) across the seminary. Improve efficiency and quality. Ensure a smooth, efficient application process, strong retention, and expeditious program completion.
• In partnership with Student Services and Institutional Technology, work to provide the best possible student experience as it relates to the online environments and technology use.
• Ensure programs and courses are well articulated across departments and programs, including maintenance of a master schedule to provide necessary availability of courses for students and to optimize sharing of courses across online and residential programs.
• Coordinate instructional design projects for online courses from inception to completion.
• Work with Institutional Technology and the Office of Academic Affairs to support instructors in the prioritization, planning, development, implementation, and assessment of online courses. Promote and contribute to the development and use of conventions, standards, best practices, and the effective and responsible application of technologies.
• With the Office of Academic Affairs, coordinate faculty development. Promote and facilitate effective practices in online program and course development, including the use of established and emerging technologies.
• Encourage and advise faculty on the adoption of best practices and guidelines for accessibility and universal design.
• Work with the seminary’s Marketing and Communications team to market and to grow the online programs. Provide oversight and quality control for communications about online programs and courses on relevant websites and other communication channels.
• Monitor and assess financials, program enrollment patterns and trends, student satisfaction and success, and other key health and performance indicators in order to improve the online programs and enhance their return on investment.
• Work with seminary’s Advancement team to support and coordinate online and campus alumni relations.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Personal commitment to Jesus Christ and service to others.
• Evangelical Christian commitment and lifestyle consistent with the World Evangelical Alliance statement of faith and the seminary’s governing virtues.
• Earned PhD or equivalent terminal degree from an appropriate accredited university.
• At least two years of experience overseeing instructional design and development in a higher education setting.
• Experience with oversight of traditional, blended, and online learning.
• Experience in developing and providing services to students, faculty, and staff engaged in innovative online programs.
• At least three years of experience that includes instructional design, curriculum development, and web development.
• At least two years of post-secondary online or blended teaching experience.

Preferred:

• PhD from an accredited institution in Instructional Design, Instructional Technology, Education, or related field.
• Five or more years of experience working in higher education.
• Five or more years of experience teaching and learning online.
• Research experience in areas of higher education, policy, and technology.

Successful Candidates will Demonstrate:

• Excellent organizational, planning, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to think “outside the box” and to lead and manage change in a positive and inclusive manner and work effectively with a diverse student population.
• Team-oriented, collaborative, and self-directed.
• The ability to report and present findings to internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated sound judgement, strong analytical skills, and a commitment to serve students, faculty, and staff.

Salary: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Western Seminary does not discriminate in the employment of individuals on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, or disability status. However, as a Christian educational institution and in compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Western Seminary exercises its legal right to hire Christian employees to fulfill its mission, vision, and purpose. All employees are expected to affirm and adhere to both the World Evangelical Alliance Statement of Faith and the Seminary’s governing virtues.

Job Type: Full-time

Education:

• Doctorate (Preferred)

Work Location:

• One location

Benefits:

• Retirement plan