Education Strategy and Planning Manager

Summary

Job Category:
Educational Program Design, Development and Delivery
Job Title:
Education Strategy and Planning Manager
Job Category Definition:
This category focuses on administration of educational programs (credit and non-credit) primarily for external audiences. Jobs in this function focus on the planning, development, facilitation, implementation, evaluation, and administration of a wide variety of educational programs and initiatives to increase and enhance educational learning. This entails developing and implementing organizational and employee development strategies and interventions which may include developing curricula, writing lesson plans, developing broad range programs to meet the needs of a diverse population, managing training and organizational development programs, contracting services and developing budgets.
Job Title Definition:
The Strategy and Planning Manager provides overall leadership, management, planning, and strategic direction to a broad portfolio of educational initiatives; leads units or subunits focused on the development and delivery of educational activities or functions in support of those activities (units are of varying scale and potential impact within the University; responsible for leadership and strategic planning, goal setting, management, and budgetary responsibility; develops and manages internal and external relationships including those with academic and administrative units and external entities; plans and manages programs, develops clients, manages specific projects, teaches and/or researches; serves on various committees and teams. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined job category.
Working Conditions:
Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:
 

Levels

Level 1  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
EDDD9001 I Exempt

Level 1 positions typically demonstrate baseline planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills along with baseline knowledge of routine work applications, employment regulations, policies, and procedures necessary to perform assigned managerial/supervisory tasks; follow recommended approach to assigned work to facilitate achievement of desired results and review completed work of others to verify accuracy and conformance to required procedures and special instructions; ensure employees practice respect for the opinions of others and an awareness of the value of diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness in the workplace; utilize a communication style that is appropriate for a given situation; practice positive approaches to problem solving for basic issues; evaluate recommended changes/improvements to quality improvement processes, procedures, policies, and plans; supervise assigned staff and coordinate routine activities to ensure successful completion of tasks.

Typical Education & Experience

3+ years related experience

Bachelor's Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Develop and implement non-credit or credit programs for new and existing business, industry, and client and student groups
  • Assess needs of organizations
  • Target appropriate Penn State resources
  • Provide strategic direction and set goals for a program area, portfolio, project or functional area to meet educational needs and achieve income/expense/net goals
  • May be responsible for the conceptualization, strategic planning, development, implementation, assessment and leadership of comprehensive programs, activities, services, and professional development opportunities
  • Represent Penn State on partnerships, boards, community groups, agencies, etc. to provide leadership as appropriate to various projects
  • Direct, supervise, train, and evaluate assigned staff
  • Coach/counsel staff on strategies to increase viable public programs and to increase contract programs to meet annual income/net revenue goals
  • Develop and manage project budgets; may assist with development of unit budget; may identify funding sources
  • May assist with planning, forecasting, controlling, and managing the office budget
  • Develop and manage specific educational programs, projects, or portfolios
  • May develop and implement marketing plans
  • May have specific teaching or research assignments

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 2  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
EDDD9002 J Exempt

Level 2 positions typically demonstrate intermediate planning, organizing, directing, and facilitating skills along with intermediate knowledge of employment regulations, policies, and procedures necessary to perform assigned managerial/supervisory tasks; define work objectives, plans, priorities and deadlines and delegate routine tasks appropriately; review completed work of others to verify technical soundness and adherence to deadlines; coach, mentor, and motivate staff in a fair and consistent manner to achieve goals; coach employees on practices that promote the value of diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness in the workplace; demonstrate intermediate ability to communicate using more complex terms relevant to specific discipline; develop creative recommendations for solving problems that are varied and somewhat difficult in nature but with limited scope; identify and implement changes/improvements to quality improvement processes, procedures, policies, and plans; supervise staff and coordinate activities to ensure successful completion of tasks.

Typical Education & Experience

3+ years related experience

Master's Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide strategic direction and set goals for a small business unit or a subset of a larger one
  • Serve as primary contact for the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs/courses, outreach initiatives, and/or international programs
  • Initiate and foster collaborative and working relationships with state and national associations, governmental offices, community agencies, and business and industry to identify and develop initiatives
  • Provide research-based analysis, reports, and presentations to gain insight, buy-in, and support of key initiatives
  • Lead cross-unit teams to discover, design, develop, execute, and evaluate programs
  • Develop criteria for and initiate new partnerships based on strategic outreach goals; lead the process of partnership development
  • Define and implement best practices and standards in program/course design
  • Develop and refine metrics that are aligned with the strategy
  • Manage a small team; lead and/or participate in interviewing and selection, orientation and recommendations for various human resource actions; work with planners and directors to set performance standards for staff
  • Develop and manage budgets to achieve income and revenue goals; may identify and develop funding sources; establish goals for the budgets and authorize approval of programs
  • Manage strategic selection, planning, budgeting, and marketing of programs to ensure income and profits per individual program and as a total slate of course offerings
  • Anticipate possible threats within the market place and strategize with marketing and leadership to collaborate on possible alternative actions
  • May develop and implement marketing plans for programs and/or unit
  • May have specific teaching or research assignments
  • Present at internal, regional, and national conferences and professional meetings
  • May provide leadership and serve as a member of the senior management team engaged in strategic planning, decision-making, policy development and problem solving

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 3  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
EDDD9003 K Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient ability in work design, project management, financial planning and development of goals for accomplishing difficult unit assignments; demonstrate awareness of emerging trends, and changes in employment regulations, policies and procedures to proactively address issues; review completed work of others for conformity to policy, and effectiveness of approach; delegate more advanced tasks to others; facilitate optimal group dynamics and evaluate employee performance on difficult work assignments and recommend appropriate developmental opportunities; develop and implement practices that promote a culture of diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness and that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse groups of employees; use diplomacy and advanced communication skills in unstructured settings; modify, adapt, or refine guidelines, if necessary, to resolve issues or problems; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have an impact on unit operations.

Typical Education & Experience

5+ years related experience

Master’s Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide leadership and strategic direction for a medium-sized business unit or subset of a larger one
  • Develop and direct innovation-related strategies and projects in the unit, including significant new program opportunities involving technology, cross-unit collaborations, or major new initiatives
  • May provide strategic leadership for University-wide initiatives that advance Penn State’s national leadership role in engagement
  • Develop and manage budgets of moderate complexity to achieve income and revenue goals; may identify and develop funding sources
  • Accountable for attainment of income and enrollment targets as well as operational expenditures in accordance with sales/marketing strategies and program plan budget
  • Develop key performance indicators and metrics
  • Provide leadership to groups and organizations that share the core values of Penn State; develop business relationships with key community stakeholders
  • Collaborate with academic leadership, regional, and University-wide program units to implement non-credit and credit programs that connect with campus Degrees and certificates
  • May develop and manage specific educational programs, projects, or portfolios
  • Work strategically and collaboratively to develop and implement sales/marketing strategies for programs and services
  • Raise revenues through sponsorships, fee-for-service, grants; respond to Requests for Proposals to offset unit or special project expenses; may serve as Principal Investigator on grants
  • Lead and/or participate in interviewing and selection, orientation and recommendations for various human resource actions; work with planners and directors to set performance standards for staff
  • May provide leadership and serve as a member of the senior management team engaged in strategic planning, decision-making, policy development and problem solving

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
EDDD9004 M Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced skills in budget management, business development, communications, and leadership and execution of objectives critical to unit's success; provide detailed plans for changes to specific policies and procedures that may result from trends and changes in overall direction of functional and/or organizational responsibilities; monitor completed work of others to ensure soundness of approach, effectiveness in meeting requirements, the feasibility of recommendations and adherences to requirements; evaluate and enhance practices that promote a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness throughout the University; demonstrate diplomacy in persuading and influencing a variety of people to achieve results; resolve complex, controversial or unprecedented issues and problems, and demonstrate sound judgment by considering values, risks, impact and implications of actions throughout organization; set clear expectations and hold management team accountable for effectively coaching, mentoring and motivating their respective staffs; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have an impact on University operations.

Typical Education & Experience

8+ years related experience

Master's Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Provide leadership and strategic direction for a large business unit or several units of similar scale
  • Define and articulate the area’s vision and mission and assure their integration into the unit(s)
  • Provide overarching direction to unit leadership team(s)
  • Oversee implementing a comprehensive marketing strategy for all locations/all programs
  • Ensure that all programs are in full compliance with legal and regulatory standards and policies; evaluate, develop, recommend, implement, and administer policies and procedures to ensure and document compliance
  • May manage the reaccreditation process including writing self-study, compiling and submitting statistics and reports, preparing program files for review, and participating in the site survey interview
  • Develop and manage complex budgets to ensure unit fiscal viability; may oversee development of funding sources
  • Develop, implement, and monitor a comprehensive strategic plan to meet financial and enrollment goals, including the determination of the scope of services as well as programmatic, enrollment, staffing, service, and budgetary elements
  • Develop and guide strategic relationships and partnerships with internal and external entities; may maintain relationships with national and state accrediting bodies to ensure ongoing accreditation
  • Appoint, direct, or lead various internal and external committees and teams with impact on the overall organization
  • Provide leadership and support for local, regional, national and international activities implemented by staff, other University delivery units, and educational partners
  • Manage and enhance relationships with academic units and external groups to develop programs congruent with their strategic goals, serving local, regional, national, and international audiences
  • Work with staff to conduct market research, environmental scanning, and pricing strategies, and to guide program development
  • Shape and monitor instructional design including new delivery and assessment technologies
  • Develop grant proposals, monitor funded activities, and negotiate contracts and services with vendors
  • Lead and/or participate in interviewing and selection, orientation and recommendations for various human resource actions; work with planners and directors to set performance standards for staff
  • Establish and guide ongoing program planning including setting activity, budget, and impact targets for staff

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 5  

Level Details
Job Code Salary Band FLSA Status
EDDD9005 N Exempt

Level 5 positions typically demonstrate awareness of broad issues and management trends and evaluate the impact of policy and procedure changes and adjust accordingly; apply management principles to ensure optimal performance throughout organization; ensure appropriate skills are developed and maintained at all levels of responsibility and realign staff responsibilities to meet desired changes in organization and/or University mission; develop plans, practices and efforts to ensure optimal support or diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness throughout the University; demonstrate high level of diplomacy in persuading and influencing a wide variety of people at various levels and locations to achieve results; develop and implement solutions to highly complex and often controversial problems that may have University-wide impact and establish new precedents for solving problems; develop and articulate broad goals and objectives for unit with multi-functions or University-wide impact; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have a strategic impact on University operations.

Typical Education & Experience

10+ years related experience 

Master’s Degree or higher

Or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Typical Work Duties
  • Work independently on complex, significant strategic or operational assignments; extend mastery of job knowledge to the principles, theories, and practices of related specialties
  • Provide leadership and strategic direction for a very large business unit or several units of significant size and budget
  • Define and articulate the area’s vision and mission and assure their integration into the unit(s)
  • Provide leadership, consultation, and support on matters related to organizational policy and issues, revenue generating models and programs, and advancement of partnerships
  • Initiate, direct, and oversee strategic initiatives and special projects related to policy and key strategies for the advancement of partnerships at the national, state, University, and division levels
  • Oversee and manage multiple complex budgets to ensure unit fiscal viability; may oversee development of funding sources
  • Provide strategic direction setting, approval and oversight for project development and management functions which includes funding of large-scale projects, revenue generation, grants and contracts, relationship development with external and internal clients, and policy making that facilitates the growth of the area
  • Provide overarching strategic direction to unit leadership team(s)
  • Direct unit and workforce planning to accomplish goals
  • Develop a long range fiscal plan for the area of responsibility
  • Initiate and direct unit/division efforts to work with University administrative units, academic colleges, external clients and funders to ensure effective collaboration, projects and program development, and delivery of services
  • Lead cultural changes by building/strengthening bridges of communication and partnership throughout the University community
  • Champion the adoption of non-traditional strategies to support processes/policies at all levels/in all divisions/for all programs
  • Establish and appoint various internal and external committees and teams with impact on the overall organization or University
  • May oversee and assure appropriate use of marketing strategies and resources
  • Lead and/or participate in interviewing and selection, orientation and recommendations for various human resource actions; work with planners and directors to set performance standards for staff

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.