Senior Program Manager, MIT Educational Initiative

Position Overview:

The Senior Program Manager of the MIT Educational Initiative (MEI) reports to the Faculty Director of the Initiative. The Initiative is to provide broad and affordable access to MIT-designed credentials and bachelor of science degrees.  The Senior Program Manager is the administrative and programmatic leader of the MIT Educational Initiative, overseeing budgets and leading staff to implement the initiative’s goals, direct and execute the main components of the program, including design and development of all learning content and of a teach-the-teachers program.  The Senior Program Manager will work with the Faculty Director, Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, and Provost in representing the Initiative to internal and external constituencies.  This is a 3-year term appointment. An extension is possible based on performance and existence of funding.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Finalize and implement all program goals and operating principles in coordination with the Faculty Lead, the Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer, and the Provost;
• Set strategic direction with the Faculty Lead;
• Provide day-to-day direction and leadership toward the achievement of the Initiative mission and annual goals while anticipating significant opportunities, problems, and issues, and initiates appropriate action without supervision;
• Align and integrate campus-wide efforts and resources devoted to selected strategic plans on curriculum, shared subjects, accreditation, and student advising;
• Recruit faculty, staff, and partners to collaborate on the successful implementation of the MEI strategic plan;
• Identify fundraising opportunities and support fundraising and stewardship with a variety of philanthropic, corporate, and other contributors;
• Organize and participate in meetings with faculty, practitioners, professors of the practice, digital learning lab fellows, lecturers, and students to inform them of activities and goals of the program and to solicit their ideas;
• Define and monitor adherence to curricular co-requisites and pre-requisites that draw upon existing and future developed resources across the MIT digital technology and industry-related environment, to include the identification of collaboration opportunities with existing campus programs (e.g. SCC Common Ground, MIT Open Learning, academic departments, MIT Gordon Engineering Leadership Program, the Office of Experiential Learning, etc.);
• Oversight and participation in various initiative boards and committees including the faculty steering committee, committee on curriculum, and the industry/stakeholder advisory boards. Organize work of the advisory boards and committees: meetings, reports, assessments, and metrics;
• Build the MEI community through a number of possible mechanisms, including a seminar series, website, encouraging workshops, and by coordinating curriculum development;
• Create, submit, and track operational, staffing and proposal-specific budgets and plans to achieve the phased goals of the Initiative;
• Monitor the Initiative’s finances, some MIT internal finance experience preferred;
• Develop and promulgate conflict of interest management policies and serve as the initial point of contact for monitoring and managing potential conflicts of interest; Generate web content and other communications, and coordinate delivery with the Office of Innovation and Strategy Executive Director of Communications and outside parties;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the MEI Faculty Lead and the Chief Innovation and Strategy Officer;

Supervision Received:

Supervision received from the MIT Educational Initiative Faculty Lead.

Supervision Exercised:

Will supervise Initiative administrative staff. 

Qualifications & Skills: 

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• Minimum 7 years of administration or operations experience and/or project/program management required.

• Successful experience in starting and scaling new products and companies.

• Program and project management expertise.

• Demonstrated initiative and problem-solving skills required, as is attention to detail and ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Advanced computer skills in Microsoft Suite and Google Workspace and willingness to adapt to and learn new systems as needed.
• Must demonstrate initiative, creativity, independent planning, and ability to deal with ambiguity.
• Excellent written and research skills with proven ability to problem-solve.
• Prior experience providing management support to a high-level executive that involved overseeing commitments and ensuring priorities were met and logistics were efficiently addressed in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, coordinate and direct multiple projects and activities with varied deadlines; utilize sound judgment, be a strategic thinker and effective in moving strategic agendas; be politically savvy and ensure the utmost discretion and confidentiality in all matters.
• Ability to present to various groups and build consensus for the organizational vision.
• Comfort with public speaking and community networking.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information and matters with discretion.
• Demonstrated strong leadership and managerial skills with analytical ability and experience with strategic planning processes.
• Proven strategic thinker and effective in moving agendas.
• Ability to set priorities and work well with all levels of personnel as well as demonstrate skills to guide employees.

PREFERRED:

• Master’s degree required, preferably in engineering, business administration, higher education or public administration. PhD in engineering desirable. 

• At least 10+ years of experience of increasingly responsible leadership roles in university, non-profit, or for-profit dynamic organizations.

• Previous supervisory experience

• Proficiency with financial principles and processes

• Accuracy, unflappability, and an eye for detail are essential, as is the ability to problem solve and work independently and cross-functionally.

• Should enjoy working in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment.

• Positive attitude and excellent interpersonal and communications skills for interacting with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, and visitors. 

Other Considerations:

• Salary range: $150,000 - $195,000 final salary determined by MIT’s compensation team based on the skills and experience of the person hired.

• This position has a hybrid schedule with an average of 3 days per week on-site.
• Night and weekend work is required occasionally, as is local, domestic, and international travel.

• Employment is contingent upon satisfactory results of a background check.

• This is a 3-year term appointment. An extension is possible based on performance and existence of funding.