Executive Director of Online Learning

Department
VPAA Office

As a modified open-access public urban teaching university, Minority Serving Institution (MSI) and Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with a growing focus on innovation and research, Metropolitan State University of Denver invites nominations and applications for the position of Executive Director for Online Learning . Reporting to the Deputy Provost, this is an exciting opportunity to strategically support faculty, students, and the University’s academic programs amidst the changing landscape of higher education and the growing vibrancy and diversity of the Denver metropolitan region.

The Executive Director articulates and implements the vision for online education at MSU Denver as a seamless network of learning opportunities and services that support undergraduate and graduate student success, including retention and graduation, a s well as lifelong learning. The Executive Director collaborates with faculty as well as the leadership in Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and I nformation Technology Services (ITS) on the strategic direction for MSU Denver’s online education and educational technology initiatives . The Executive Director is also the operational leader supporting academic d epartments and programs in the development of high-quality online courses, micro-credentials, certificates, and degree program s as well as the coordination of administrative efforts across instructional design, technology, marketing, enrollment and retention, student services, academic policy, F aculty A ffairs, academic assessment, and reporting .

Duties/Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• I n collaboration with the Provost, Deputy Provost, Deans, AVPs, and other leaders in and outside of Academic Affairs, the Executive Director will d evelop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for online learning, including the university’s overarching vision, mission, and strategy related to online education and educational technology as well as individual online academic courses and programs that appeal to discipline-specific audiences.
  
  
• Serve as an expert resource for the University community related to online and other technological learning trends and best practices in higher education .
  
  
• Use data to inform academic programs, d epartments, and Colleges/Schools about potential and existing online programs that can meet workforce demands a s well as the needs of current and p rospective undergraduate, graduate, and non-degree-seeking students.
  
  
• Support C ollege /School and D epartment efforts to develop external partner online programs .
  
  
• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Office of Online Learning, including supervising its personnel and budgetary oversight ; part of this work involves recruiting and retaining people with the expertise n ecessary to achieve MSU Denver ’s learning objectives for academic courses and programs offered online or through the use of other educational technology .
  
  

• Collaborate with academic Departments/Programs, Colleges/Schools, and Enrollment Management to build and assess enrollment and retention plans for each online program as tools for continuing improvement for student success.
  
  
• Collaborate with Student Affairs, Undergraduate Studies, and Graduate Studies to enhance the online student support infrastructure.
  
  
• Remain up to date on emerging technology platforms, applications, and software that have the potential to support high quality online learning, and explore adoption of software appropriate for MSU Denver in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including ITS and Innovative & Lifelong Learning .
  
  
• Enhance online student and faculty customer service related to the use of instructional technology and the University learning management system.
  
  

Instructional Design and Instructor Training

• In co llaboration with the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Design (CTLD), implement consistent processes for the design, development, delivery, maintenance, and evaluation of online courses, including through Quality Matters .
  
  
• In collaboration with the CTLD, provide training and ongoing professional development opportunities for faculty involved in teaching online or integrating other forms of educational technology into their classes .
  
  
• To minimize student cost after enrollment, s erve on the Open Education Resources ( OER) Task Force to champion OER usage in online courses and programs, and support OER Task Force efforts to secure grants for OER implementation.
  
  

Financial Management and Reporting

• Oversight of the U niversity online course enrollment fee, ensuring expenditures align with the outcomes requested by MSU students.
  
  
• In co llaboration with the MSU Denver Budget and Enrollment Management Offices as well as Deans, evaluate online program tuition rates and fees such that online programs remain positive revenue generators .
  
  
• Document the financial return of online programs and communicate financial performance metrics.
  
  
• At their request, update Faculty Senate, the Council of Chairs and Directors, and other stakeholder groups about planning and progress related to online learning.
  
  

• In consultation with faculty, collaborate with ITS to implement useful, cost-effective, secure technologies and communicate rationale with campus stakeholders.
  
  
• Serve as the primary contact for the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
  
  
• Collaborate with the Office of Curriculum, Academic Effectiveness and Policy Development to ensure Higher Learning Commission consideration and approval of new online initiatives.
  
  
• M aintain and improve the university webpage s designed as a hub for all student information related to online programs and services.
  
  
• In collaboration with Marketing and Communications, market online learning in general as well as specific online programs that appeal to discipline-specific audiences.
  
  

Required Qualifications

• A master’s degree in an academic discipline from a regionally accredited university.
  
  
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  
  
• Experience working with, and sensitivity to the needs of, a diverse student population (e.g., Hispanics/Latinos/Latinas/etc., African Americans, Indigenous and Native peoples, and other students of color; LBGTQIA students; students from low-income backgrounds; first-generation college students; students with disabilities; undocumented students; non-traditional students and adult learners; student veterans, and English-language learners).
  
  
• Experience supervising full-time and part-time personnel.
  
  
• Demonstrated commitment to collaboration, shared governance, and customer service.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience and familiarity with learning management systems.
  
  
• Experience in curriculum and program development and improvement.
  
  
• Demonstrated leadership experience in higher education.
  
  
• Knowledge of the issues and latest trends in higher education as they relate to online education.
  
  
• Effective communication skills.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• A Ph.D. or other terminal degree in an academic discipline from a regionally accredited university.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience as an online instructional designer, course developer, or instructor.
  
  
• Trained in Quality Matters course design standards.
  
  
• Experience with emerging educational technologies, such as Virtual Reality or AI, in higher education.
  
  
• Experience with market analysis, strategic planning, and marketing for online or other educational programs.
  
  
• Experience teaching at a Hispanic-Serving Institution or other Minority-Serving institution.
  
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of compliance standards and higher education accreditation requirements related to online learning.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience writing and securing grants.
  
  
• Demonstrated experience building relationships with internal and external partners, including University donors.
  
  
• Experience making data-driven decisions.
  
  
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans
  
  

Other duties as assigned by the Deputy Provost

Salary for Announcement

The salary range for this position is $105,000 - $121,000. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based upon a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, training, and qualification.

Work Hours/Type

This is a hybrid position designed to support flexibility with both in-office work, as well as some remote schedules.

40-hour work week 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

Instructions to Apply

Complete applications received by October 26, 2023 at 11:59 PM MST will receive full consideration, but applications will be accepted after this date until the position is filled. All applications must be submitted through the university’s online application system, MSU Denver Careers (myworkdayjobs.com) and search for JR101539. Internal applicants must apply through their MSU Denver Workday profile by searching ‘Find Jobs’.

For full consideration, please submit the following documents with your application:

1. Resume

2. Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field; multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents may not receive full consideration.

IND208

Closing Date

Open Until Filled

Posting RepresentativeAmy Hamik

Posting Representative Emailhamika@msudenver.edu

Benefits

MSU Denver is pleased to offer our current and potential employees a wide array of benefit options. To learn more, please visit the following link:

Employee Benefits Offerings

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at totalrewards@msudenver.edu .

Diversity Statement

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of nearly 50% first generation students and over 45% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.

We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.