Director, Design & Development Standards & Practices Job at Western Governors University
If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.
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*****INTERNAL POSTING UP UNTIL 11/1/2022*****
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
The director is responsible for:
The director provides thought leadership and vision in collaboration with:
Executive leadership and cross-functional teams to decide on innovations and improvements to the existing student experience and processes, based on analyzed data, current practice, and emerging trends
Other internal teams to understand individual and overall project needs, creating a cohesive course/program and enhancing the seamless student experience
To help the team continuously improve, the director provides measurable feedback to direct reports and suggestions for improved performance, and coaches, mentors, and assists in the professional development of team members.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Competencies
The director is responsible for:
- Ensure consistent strategy for establishing, documenting, propagating, and continuously improving standards and best practices for design and development is deployed across all colleges and functions as well as across the S&P team itself
- Collaborate with the Director team for Design and Development to establish strategy for setting WGU standards of excellence, always with an eye to improving the student experience.
- Provide thought leadership, vision, and advocacy for best practices and for continuous improvement of the student experience across Program Development and WGU as a whole
- Collaborate with the technology and design and development teams to translate standards into technology requirements and defined specifications to ensure the creation, selection, and curation of high impact, market leading learning and assessment programs and technologies
- Lead the Standards & Practice team of recognized leaders and spokespeople for standards of excellence across all functions
- Create and maintains a record of current state, risks, gaps, opportunities, and methods for achieving increasing standards of excellence
- Create and drive strategy for change management, training, consultation, and guidance to team members on evidence-based best practices.
- Proactively establish and maintain collaborative relationships with leaders across the university to promote the improvement and advancement of WGU’s excellence in Program Development
- Communicate solutions to stakeholders in a manner that simplifies complexity and generates excitement
- Trains and mentors others
- Leads cross-college task forces or committees and recommends improvements to development team leadership
- Leads special projects as assigned
- Provide input into budgeting strategies to ensure the design and development team is providing maximum value to WGU students and stakeholders
The director provides thought leadership and vision in collaboration with:
Executive leadership and cross-functional teams to decide on innovations and improvements to the existing student experience and processes, based on analyzed data, current practice, and emerging trends
Other internal teams to understand individual and overall project needs, creating a cohesive course/program and enhancing the seamless student experience
- Cross functional College teams to drive the continuous improvement of student outcomes and overall health and quality of curriculum in assigned specialty
To help the team continuously improve, the director provides measurable feedback to direct reports and suggestions for improved performance, and coaches, mentors, and assists in the professional development of team members.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Ability to organize, coordinate, and direct team activities and results
- Ability to coach and develop direct reports
- Ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed organization
- Ability to use metrics and data to inform decision making
- Ability to build relationships and influence at all levels
- Ability to be an agent of change in a rapidly changing environment
- Proven ability to analyze data to identify trends and drive innovative process improvement
- Sound judgement and decision-making skills
Competencies
- Thinks Strategically: Applies broad strategic direction, with college-wide impact in an distributed organization context. Anticipates beyond short term and thinks critically.
- Executes and Achieves Results: Focused on results, not just activity. Exceptional skill and demonstrated success in delivering and improving results in a higher education, leadership role. Strong bias for and practical experience in measuring and improving process and product.
- Executive Courage: Willing to tackle difficult topics and conventional thinking in a respectful and productive manner. Uses good judgment about that which needs to be said and has the courage to say it.
- Thinks Big. Inspires and Drives Innovation: Formulates a bold vision, sees around corners and inspires results. Fosters creativity and brings innovation successfully to market. Sets new and higher standards that enhance WGU and benefit students.
- Develops Teams and Individuals: Defines success in terms of the whole team, creates a feeling of belonging. Hires and develops top talent and future WGU leaders.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Clear ownership and delivery of revenue and cost budgets.
- Influences Others and Communicates Effectively: Communicates to improve and promote teamwork, decision making, and problem solving. Listens and responds effectively to the reactions and positions of others and encourages the expression of diverse ideas and opinions. Adjusts message and style to fit the audience. Provides timely and helpful feedback. Communicates appropriately to win support with all audiences.
- Collaborates: Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives. Represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas. Partners with others to get work done. Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments. Gains buy-in, trust and support of others.
- Leads Change: Is an agent for change. Influences others to accept change. Effectively demonstrates own ability to change. Shifts gears comfortably, decides and acts without having the complete picture; comfortably handles risk and uncertainty.
- Makes Data Informed Decisions: Identifies opportunities to gather and analyze to inform decisions. Sets metrics and measures progress against these metrics to report on success of programs, team effort, and initiatives. Uses data, evidence, and research to drive continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in related area. PhD preferred.
- Five or more years of experience in developing online education programs and experiences that are relevant, engaging, and available across multiple platforms
- Five or more years of experience with training or education online product development as a product owner
- Five or more years of leadership and supervisory experience
- Successful experience in relationship management across a range of partners
- Successful experience in developing and managing effective teams
- Experience in developing curriculum and/or high-stakes assessments
- Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, creating meeting schedules and budgets, and producing quality courses and programs
- Demonstrated success in change management, and bringing order and structure to complex situations
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with regional or program accreditation standards
- Experience in higher education
Working Conditions
- Ability to travel 15–20% of the time
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As an equal opportunity employer, WGU recognizes that our strength lies in our people. We are committed to diversity.
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