Program Director, Pathways Programs

As part of a mission-driven institution, University College (UC) at Tufts University strives to make education accessible to all, fostering learning and engagement across a wide spectrum of audiences. UC is committed to expanding access to Tufts and transforming the lives of diverse learners across generations through innovative and high-quality educational opportunities, career acceleration, and community connections. Since our school's establishment in 2018, UC has experienced rapid growth and is planning significant expansion, including a variety of new professional non-credit credentials, high school programs, pathways, and degrees, all while broadening access to Tufts’ exceptional educational offerings.

UC currently offers a variety of educational content through Tufts Pre-College Programs, the Center for Professional and Workforce Impact, Flexible Online Degrees and Courses, Life Enrichment, and Pathways for Life Transitions programming. Operating in a dynamic environment, UC is positioned to become a leading presence in the greater Boston area in the next 5 years.

Our Pathways for Life Transitions portfolio is designed to support learners confidently navigate significant educational, professional, and personal transitions by combining advising, skill development, structured pathways, and connections into Tufts programs and resources. Five types of programs within this portfolio are being built and expanded:
1. Graduate School Pathways: for individuals who have decided they want to pursue graduate or professional education
2. Gateway to Graduate

Education:

for individuals still exploring graduate school or preparing to become competitive applicants
3. Career Transition Programs: for adults changing industries, roles, or careers
4. Career Launch & Advancement: for college seniors, graduate students, and early-career professionals
5. Living with

Purpose:

for: mid-to-advanced career professionals who are interested in learning about things that can be immediately applied to their lives and future planning

Complementing this work is our growing Life Enrichment portfolio, programs designed for adult learners seeking intellectual engagement, professional enrichment, or re-entry into learning without the commitment of a full degree program. These offerings reflect increasing demand for flexible, high-quality educational experiences that allow individuals to continue learning throughout their lives, whether to stay current in their field, explore new areas of interest, or engage with ideas in a meaningful way.

Offerings through our Center for Professional and Workforce Impact and Online Degrees are complementary and interconnected as well, providing flexible and robust options for all lifelong learners.

The Program Director provides strategic oversight and leadership across all phases of the school's new and developing Pathways programs. With a strong foundation in adult education and experience with innovative academic offerings, the Program Director will oversee the development, expansion, and evaluation of current and new programming. This role will lead recruitment efforts, support alumni engagement, and foster collaborations across faculty, students, and community partners for this portfolio of programs.

• Provides and applies advanced, specialized subject matter knowledge to develop, implement, supervise, and evaluate the programs within their portfolio.
  • Lead market research efforts and design a portfolio strategy that aligns with findings
  • Works closely with marketing and communications team to maintain a dynamic, student-facing web platform to promote the programs within their portfolio.
  • Develops instructional materials, ensuring alignment with the school’s strategy and pedagogical best practices.
  • Manages the full lifecycle of the portfolio programs from design through evaluation, including space logistics, technology needs, and participant communications.
  • Prepares scopes of work, timelines, and deliverable summaries for assigned programs.
  • Develops, designs, writes, updates, revises, and adapts existing curricula (standardized and non-standardized) to fit the skill and knowledge of the learners.
  • Applies best practices in adult learning, instructional design, accessibility, and culturally-responsiveness throughout curriculum development.
  • Stays abreast of state and federal best practices in adult learning theory and implementation.
  • Evaluates curriculum design and implementation.
  • Leads meetings with both…