Continuing Education Program Manager

Announcement Number STAFF – VA – 26077

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Anna Reardon

anna.reardon@montana.edu

406-994-7752

Classification Title Program Mgr

Working Title Continuing Education Program Manager

Brief Position Overview

The Continuing Education Program Manager plays a key role in supporting MSU’s mission as a land-grant university by planning and implementing high-quality non-credit and continuing education courses and programs. The variety of programs administered by the Program Manager includes, but is not limited to, non-credit professional and continuing education courses, youth programs, and educational program collaborations with on- and off-campus partners. The Program Manager will build relationships, provide meaningful opportunities, and support a growing community of learners and partners.

Position Number 4M1507

Department Extended University

Division Academic Technology & Outreach

Appointment Type Classified

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Non-Exempt

Union Affiliation FOCUS-MFPE

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary Starting at $24.388 per hour, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type Classified Salary

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

General Statement

Our mission is to support MSU’s land-grant mission and institutional goals by enhancing access to high-quality education for a diverse community of learners in Montana and beyond.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Continuing Education, the person in this position will work independently in the following areas:

• Take a leadership role in planning and overseeing the delivery of non-credit continuing education programs and courses in compliance with state law, federal law and University policies and procedures.
• Establish timelines and make recommendations for program and course implementation.
• Coordinate course and program logistics to include use of facilities, procurement of instructional materials, development of participant experiences, etc. Delegate tasks to support staff as appropriate.
• Coordinate with the media specialist on the design and distribution of program promotional materials.
• Coordinate with the registration coordinator on student registration processes.
• Disseminate, collect, and review student evaluations to determine participant concerns and improvement opportunities.
• Manage budgets, track expenses, and prepare reports to ensure financial accountability. Evaluate long-term financial viability of programs.
• Identify appropriate tuition/fees within university policies.
• Approve expenditures and prepare financial/expense reports for courses and programs.
• Coordinate with business operations manager to facilitate financial transfers to campus departments when applicable.
• Review and assess new program and course proposals. Develop MOUs as applicable.
• Recruit instructors as needed. Coordinate with business operations manager to complete instructor hiring processes.
• Facilitate the review of requests for approval of continuing education and OPI renewal units in accordance with ATO, Board of Regents, and Office of Public Instruction state policies as applicable.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Bachelor’s degree in education, business, communications, hospitality or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
2. Demonstrated experience in working with program development and management.
3. Proficiency in appropriate computer systems and information management software programs including spreadsheets and word processing software, Microsoft Office software experience preferred.
4. Strong problem-solving, analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to use data and metrics to back up assumptions, make recommendations, and drive actions.
5. Effective communication and customer service skills with proven ability to facilitate agreement among stakeholders with different interests.
6. Demonstrated experience working within budgets.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

1. Experience with program management, specifically in Higher Education.
2. Experience in facilitating online program delivery.
3. Knowledge of MSU procedures and policies or previous experience working in a higher education setting.
4. Experience using a student information system (SIS) or customer database.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Possess strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a broad range of constituencies including but not limited to students, parents, staff, faculty and administrators.
• Maintain accuracy and attention to detail while meeting deadlines and prioritizing competing demands.
• Service-oriented mindset and an inclination towards creative problem solving.
• Consistently exercise good judgement; possess the skills to effectively deal with confidential, sensitive or difficult information and situations.
• Ability to self-motivate while working independently and as a member of a team. Ability to train and direct staff as appropriate.
• Able to prioritize complex deliverables and have informed discussions leading to good decisions and thoughtful outcomes.
• Ability to represent ATO and Montana State University in a professional and courteous manner.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

This job does not always follow a standard work week schedule. On occasion, it may require work during evenings or weekends. Willingness and ability to attend off-campus programs, meetings and events is preferred. This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Number of Vacancies

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on September 5, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

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