Director of Continuing Education

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Work type: Staff Full-Time
Location: Lafayette, LA
Categories: Workforce Development & Education, Workforce Initiatives

Department: Workforce & Economic Development and Continuing Education

Type of Appointment: Unclassified - Administrative/Staff (Grant Funded)

• Work Habits: 20%
  • Strategic Vision & Pathway Alignment:
    Manage and implement the Vice President’s comprehensive strategic vision for Continuing Education by aligning Adult Education, workforce training, and academic pathways. Establish and maintain partnerships with employers, workforce boards, community organizations, and internal stakeholders to support pathway progression and student success.
  • Program Development & Oversight:
    Develop, manage, and continuously improve programs including Integrated Education & Training (IETs), micro-credentials, soft skills training, minors’ literacy programs, and employer‑aligned credentials to ensure industry relevance and accessibility. Exercises discretion with sensitive data.
  • Performance Monitoring:
    Establish and direct activities related to enrollment, retention, articulation, credential attainment, employment outcomes, and graduation rates of continuing education student pathways. Use data to drive continuous improvement and strategic decision making through supervising the work of the Assistant Director of AE Operations and the Data and Performance Manager. Escalates issues with proposed solutions.
  • Administrative & Systems Management:
    Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of student data, outcomes, and performance metrics across Banner, Salesforce CRM, and applicable Adult Education reporting systems. Demonstrates working knowledge of all systems, platforms and systems implemented by the college or division. Manages workload effectively. Anticipates changes to operations and plans ahead to ensure minimal disruptions.
• Behavioral Standards: 20%
  • Compliance & Integrity:
    Ensure all Continuing Education and Adult Education activities comply with state, federal, and grant requirements, including WRU and other applicable funding sources.
  • Commitment to Excellence:
    Promote high standards of program quality, instructional effectiveness, and student support to meet or exceed established performance benchmarks, completer goals, and the WRU grant metrics.
  • Professionalism:
    Demonstrate professionalism, discretion, and integrity in interactions with staff, students, partners, and external agencies.
• Institutional Support: 20%
  • Fiscal & Budget Authority:
    Direct WRU budget authority and overall fiscal strategy for Continuing Education, ensuring responsible stewardship of funds, sustainability of programs, and alignment with the EWD & CE divisional priorities.
  • Grant Development & Management:
    Author, secure and manage grants beyond WRU funding to expand Continuing Education offerings. Develop and maintain grant‑funded partnerships and ensure compliance with reporting and performance requirements.
  • Program Alignment:
    Collaborate with academic leadership to ensure articulation pathways from Adult Education and Continuing Education into credit‑bearing academic programs or workforce training programs.
  • Institutional Representation:
    Represent the EWD & CE division in meetings, community events, workforce initiatives, and conferences as assigned by leadership.
• Team Relations: 20%
  • Collaborative Culture:
    Strengthen cross‑departmental collaboration with the Accounting and Grants offices to ensure effective grant management, accurate financial tracking, regulatory compliance, and coordinated program support.
  • Conflict Resolution:
    Serve as the decision maker regarding any escalated student concerns, staff issues, and operational challenges within Continuing Education and Adult Education programs prior to making a recommendation to the Vice President of EWD & CE.
• Leadership: 20%
  • Supervision & Performance Management:
    Provide direct supervision and performance management for the Data & Performance Manager, Assistant Director of Adult Education Operations, and Continuing Education Pathway Manager.
  • Visionary Leadership:
    Provide forward‑thinking leadership that positions Continuing Education as a critical driver of…