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Duquesne University

Location: PittsburghPA 15282 Document ID: A9033-35B0 Posted on: 2015-01-2201/22/2015 Job Type: Regular

Job Schedule:Full-time
Minimum Education: Masters2015-02-21
 

Executive Director E-Learning

Duquesne University seeks an Executive Director of eLearning to lead the continued expansion of courses and programs delivered wholly or partially online.  This senior position requires an innovative leader experienced with the many forms of technology-enhanced learning and the infrastructure and business models successful eLearning requires.  This is a leadership opportunity to define the role of eLearning in the future of the University and create the means to support its growth.  In doing so, the successful applicant will creatively grow revenues and profitability, improve academic quality, and meet market demands.  Reporting to the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs, the Executive Director will work closely with top academic leadership including the Provost and the deans of the nine schools, the CIO, faculty and other stakeholders in the strategic planning, marketing, branding, and budgeting of eLearning initiatives.

eLearning at Duquesne

Already in the first tier of U.S. universities, Duquesne offers various online programs, some of which have earned national recognition (see www.duq.edu/about/facts-and-rankings).  The University has approximately 750 unique online students including substantial programs in Nursing, Organizational Leadership, and Education.  Additional courses are available partially online and  faculty actively use technology in traditional courses.

The decision to bring focused leadership to eLearning has several drivers.  Our schools have market opportunities to increase revenue through online programs.  Additional online programs will support broader university objectives to reach additional geographic markets, including international ones.  Most importantly, we see opportunities to use eLearning to improve academic quality and engage our students.

 

Leadership Opportunity

This position will help define how eLearning contributes to the future of a leading University.  While the Executive Director must sustain existing programs and capitalize on immediate opportunities, this is a unique opportunity to build long-term strategy and organizational capacity.  The University is not locked into a particular focus or support model for eLearning.  The successful candidate will have broad latitude to define the contours of his or her own position and recommend the best structure to organize and expand support for eLearning.  The Executive Director will work across the University to build awareness of the uses of technology to improve learning and to identify the market opportunities that warrant investment in new online programs.  He or she will create vision and strategy for eLearning through active consultation with faculty, deans and other stakeholders. 

The Executive Director will coordinate the development and delivery of eLearning services in collaboration with several University offices. He or she will work with leadership in Information Technology and Educational Technology to define support models for faculty and enhance instructional design and course development expertise for online programs.  In collaboration with leadership in Enrollment Management, the Executive Director will develop marketing and branding strategies for online programs and evaluate the feasibility of new initiatives.  Finally, the Executive Director will create planning processes to identify emerging opportunities, evaluate their potential and recommend priorities for investment.

Required Qualifications and Essential Experiences

Competitive candidates will have 7-10 years of progressive responsibility leading the design, development, implementation and support of hybrid and fully online programs in higher education.  Prior experience in institutions similar to Duquesne (in size, complexity, tuition-dependence and mission) is a plus. An advanced degree is required and a terminal degree and/or teaching experience is preferred.  Depending on background, an adjunct appoint in an academic department may be granted.

Successful candidates will have many of the following experiences:

  • Developed and implemented strategic plans for a school, program or department.
  • Led or played a substantial role in the development of eLearning strategies aligned with institutional mission and identity.
  • Oversaw or played a substantial role in the development of online programs including identifying market opportunities, delivering course development support services, and planning marketing and enrollment strategies.
  • Demonstrated understanding of successful models of online and hybrid learning.
  • Built consensus across diverse stakeholder groups for a strategic direction or complex decision.
  • Developed financial plans and business models for entrepreneurial educational ventures, including online programs.
  • Managed substantial teams or organizations and demonstrated history of delivering quality services.
  • Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work successfully with vendors and navigate regulatory environments.
  • Crafted engaging experiences for students from recruitment to program completion.
  • Participated personally in developing an online course or teaching online.

Desired Attributes

Candidates should have many of the following attributes:

  • Ability to work with diverse constituencies collaboratively so as to create credibility and trust
  • A leadership and management style that encourages initiative, transparency and accountability
  • Ability to communicate effectively with all stakeholders (students, faculty, staff, administrators)
  • Curiosity and willingness to learn about and embrace different viewpoints and perspectives
  • Excellent listening, inquiry and follow-up skills; patience and ability to mediate differences
  • Ability to inspire and influence others to support a comprehensive mission/vision
  • Outstanding presentation skills across various audiences – from Board members to students
  • Commitment to the highest standards of integrity and ethical values in all matters

Applications and Inquiries

To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to duquesne@itleadersearch.com.  Confidential inquiries, nominations and questions may be directed to our search consultants:

Phil Goldstein, Next Generation Executive Search - philgoldstein@itleadersearch.com

or

Mary Beth Baker, Next Generation Executive Search – mbobaker@itleadersearch.com

 

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Applicants must be willing to contribute actively to the University Mission and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne. The Mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community. Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.