Senior Manager, Academic Initiatives

Weekly Work Hours

Compensation Range

Salary Minimum

FLSA

Position Type

Position / Job Summary

The Senior Manager, Academic Initiatives provides senior-level operational leadership in support of broad, college-wide academic initiatives. This role exists to extend the work of multiple Senior Project Leads by assuming responsibility for delegated initiatives and independently managing defined academic functions that require sustained coordination, execution, and institutional awareness.

Serving as a senior operational integrator, the Senior Manager operates with a combination of delegated authority and independent ownership, acting on behalf of senior leadership when appropriate while directly supporting faculty, academic governance bodies, and academic leadership. Through consistent oversight, coordination, and representation, the role helps reduce gaps or delays in academic work, strengthens support for academic bodies, and enables Senior Project Leads to remain focused on strategic priorities.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Initiative Ownership and Operational Execution

• Assume ownership of delegated academic initiatives on behalf of Senior Project Leads, ensuring continuity, progress, and effective follow-through.

• Independently manage defined academic functions that require sustained coordination across stakeholders, timelines, and institutional processes.

• Oversee multiple concurrent initiatives, ensuring work is completed on time, within scope, and within available resources.

• Establish clear goals, timelines, priorities, and expectations for assigned initiatives and functions.

• Monitor progress, identify risks or issues, and implement solutions to maintain momentum and quality.

• Continuously evaluate and improve workflows and processes to increase efficiency and effectiveness across academic initiatives.

• Serve as a primary operational point of contact for faculty, academic leadership, and academic governance bodies, including support for Faculty Senate and related committees.

• Coordinate across academic stakeholders to ensure alignment, communication, and effective execution of college-wide academic initiatives.

• Prepare and deliver presentations, updates, and recommendations to academic leadership and other stakeholders.

• Represent delegated initiatives and academic functions in meetings, committees, and working groups, as appropriate.

• Required Dallas College Professional Development Hours per Academic Year. (MUST BE INCLUDED)

• All employees are required to complete a minimum of 19 hours.

• People leaders are required an additional 16 hours of leadership development.

• Perform other duties not listed as assigned. (MUST BE INCLUDED)

The following duties are required for People Leader roles specifically:

• Exercises full discretion and decision-making authority in the recruitment, selection, hiring, mentoring, coaching, development & termination of staff, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, budgetary constraints, and workforce planning strategies.

• Drive high performance by administering the performance management process timely, setting clear expectations, conducting performance evaluations, and implementing initiatives that enhance employee engagement, motivation, and retention.

Minimum and Preferred - Education, Experience, and/or Certifications

Required Qualifications for Role (necessary or mandatory)

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Progressive experience in a professional or managerial role.

• Supervisory or leadership experience.

• Full-time or part-time teaching experience at college-level preferred.

• Official transcripts required.

• Subject to criminal background check.

• Current and valid Texas driver's license required for offsite travel.

Other Preferred Qualifications for Role (not mandatory, but advantageous)

• Education

• Experience

• Certification

• School/Education Transcripts

*** Will be subject to a criminal background check. Some positions may be subject to a fingerprint check. ***

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Specify the required and preferred qualifications needed for the role. Preferred qualifications are advantageous but not mandatory whereas the required are mandatory.

Required Qualifications for Role (necessary or mandatory)

• Strong leadership, organizational, and strategic thinking skills.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic academic environment.

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across a diverse college community.

• Demonstrated ability to analyze information, solve problems, and implement effective solutions.

• Demonstrated experience of effective independent decision making

Other Preferred Qualifications for Role (not mandatory, but advantageous)

• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Preferred

Competencies

Dallas College seeks to identify core and professional competencies for each role and level which helps define the level of expertise needed and desired to demonstrate success in the role.

Work Condition Environment / Physical Requirements

Normal physical job functions performed within a standard office environment. Reasonable accommodation(s) may be made to individuals with physical challenges to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Incumbents may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Position requires regular and predictable attendance.

Since 1965, Dallas College, formerly Dallas County Community College District, has served more than three (3) million students. Comprising seven campuses located around the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we are one of the largest community college systems in the state of Texas. We strive to be a leader in the community college space, placing students at the center of everything we do.

Dallas College is committed to cultivating an environment of opportunity and belonging for all students and employees. We recognize that the Dallas College workforce, and the diverse talent that stems from it, is directly linked to our success. We are part of an equal opportunity system that provides education and employment opportunities without discrimination on the basis of any protected attribute, including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, veteran status, pregnancy or any other basis protected under applicable law. In accordance with applicable law, Dallas College will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs.