Director of Professional Studies
Position Summary:
Penn Foster Group’s Academic team delivers high-quality academic support to learners across a diverse portfolio of programs and brands. We are seeking an experienced Director of Professional Studies to lead and oversee program areas, including English, Business, Early Childhood Education, Legal Studies, Skill Trades, and cross-disciplinary coursework within degree programs. Reporting to the Senior Academic Director of College and Career, this role is responsible for academic leadership, program quality, faculty oversight, and strategic growth of professional studies offerings. The Director will drive continuous improvement in curriculum, learner outcomes, and instructional delivery within an online education environment.
Essential Job Functions:
Academic Leadership & Strategy
- Provide strategic direction and operational oversight for the Professional Studies portfolio.
- Ensure alignment of programs with workforce demands, accreditation standards, and institutional goals.
- Lead program evaluation, continuous improvement, and innovation in online pedagogy.
- Identify opportunities for new program development and expansion.
Program & Curriculum Oversight
- Oversee curriculum design, updates, and instructional quality across all programs.
- Ensure academic rigor, relevance, and alignment with industry standards.
- Collaborate with instructional design teams to enhance learner experience and outcomes.
Faculty & Team Leadership
- Lead, mentor, and develop faculty and academic staff.
- Establish performance expectations and conduct evaluations.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and learner-centered teaching.
Student Success & Outcomes
- Monitor key performance indicators (retention, completion, satisfaction, and employment outcomes).
- Implement initiatives to improve learner engagement and success.
- Partner with support teams, operations, and other teams to optimize the learner journey.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with product, marketing, operations, and workforce partners.
- Contribute to institutional initiatives and strategic planning.
Accreditation & Compliance
- Ensure programs meet accreditation, regulatory, and compliance requirements.
- Support audits, reporting, and accreditation reviews.
- Maintain documentation and processes aligned with quality assurance standards.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
Qualifications Education
- Master’s degree in a relevant discipline required, PhD or EdD preferred
Experience
- 5+ years of leadership experience in online or distance education
- Proven experience managing academic programs and faculty teams
- Experience with career-focused or workforce-aligned education programs preferred
Skills & Competencies
- Strong understanding of online pedagogy and instructional best practices
- Strategic thinking with operational execution capability
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Data-driven decision-making and analytical capability
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Experience with different technologies, learning platforms, and academic systems preferred, such as Brightspace, Dynamic 365, and Tableau
Work Environment & Hiring Requirements
- Role Assessment: Candidates will be required to complete a role-specific assessment as the first step in the hiring process. Assessment results will be used to evaluate alignment with the position and determine next steps in the process.
- Recorded Video Interviews: All video interviews conducted during the hiring process will be recorded to support internal hiring consistency and process improvement.
- Background Checks: Employment with Penn Foster Group is contingent upon successfully completing applicable pre-employment screening requirements, which may include verification of employment history, education, and criminal background, where permitted by law.
- Identity Verification (Form