Senior Director, Certificates

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.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

Job Profile Summary:

The Senior Director of Certificates at WGU Academy, an affiliate entity of Western Governors University, will be a crucial role to expand access to affordable, short-term credentials that deliver job-ready skills to students across each of WGU's disciplines: Business, Technology, Health, and Education. This role will be responsible for all Key Results of WGU Certificates, including student completion, return on investment, and equity in access and attainment. The role will drive the Certificates P&L, executing the go-to-market plan, recommending new offerings, and leading an outreach team of business development, account managers, and career specialists connected to large-scale employers who will serve as both suppliers of students and recruiters of graduates. The role will report to WGU Academy's President and work cross-functionally with other key leaders of WGU Academy and WGU, including Platform and Product Innovation, Marketing, Enrollment, and Regional leadership.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Strategic Collaboration and Integration:

• Engage regularly and effectively with WGU's Schools of Health, Education, Technology, and Business, WGU's President, CFO, COO, and CAO, and all the organizations serving WGU students.

Innovation in Short-form Credentials:

• Collaborate with WGU Academy leadership, with employers, and across WGU's academic organization to design, execute, and scale innovative Certificate programs that deliver skills to graduates that employers will hire.
• Drive innovation in student payments, funding, and scholarships through employer-based and donor-supported models.

Build and Execute a National Go-to-Market Strategy:

• Work with WGU's Marketing, Enrollment, and Regional Partnerships teams to establish employer relationships that change the lives of employees and open employment doors to Certificate graduates.
• Deliver both direct-to-consumer and B2B strategies that create student impact at scale.

Drive Results in Enrollment, Completion, and Return on Investment:

• Report weekly, monthly, and quarterly results, lead teams to deliver results for students, particularly on post-completion student success in employment.

Metrics Development and Continuous Evaluation:

• Work in partnership with research teams and school leaders to develop and refine metrics that assess the impact of Certificate programs.
• Ensure these metrics are used to drive continuous improvement and are aligned with the objectives of WGU and WGU Academy.

Leadership by Influence and Team Development:

• Lead within WGU's culture, using influence to guide and coach others within WGU Academy. Emphasize the development of soft skills such as communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
• Enhance the capabilities of others across the university, ensuring they are equipped to handle the challenges of a dynamic academic environment.

Stakeholder Engagement and Thought Leadership:

• Represent WGU in external forums, bringing insights back to the university and disseminating successful practices outward, enhancing the university's reputation as a leader in innovative education strategies.
• Build robust networks with external educational and professional organizations to leverage external innovations and thinking, integrating these into WGU's short-term credential programs.

Financial Management and Resource Allocation:

• Refine a five-year vision for Certificates and drive financial sustainability for the venture.
• Collaborate with finance and school leaders to ensure Certificate programs are well-funded and resources are judiciously allocated according to strategic priorities.
• Facilitate discussions around resource allocation, ensuring transparency and alignment with the strategic objectives of the university and the specific needs of each school.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

• Strong background in designing, selling, providing, and/or delivering employer-related skill development at scale.
• Industry Knowledge: Understanding of both accredited and non-accredited educational institutions and ventures that offer non-degree professional skill development, including experience within these organizations.
• Entrepreneurship or Intrapreneurship: Certificates are a new product at WGU, and throughout the higher ed ecosystem. Skepticism abounds, and the candidate will need to possess confidence, resilience, and determination to see success in a highly competitive, rapidly evolving space.
• Strategic Influence and Executive Presence: Demonstrated ability to engage and influence top WGU leadership and C-level external stakeholders through excellent communication and persuasive leadership skills.
• Communication Excellence: Outstanding oral and written communication skills, adept at crafting clear and compelling messages for various audiences. WGU writes narratives in prose to present, request funding, report results, and provide accountability for this venture.
• Analytical and Innovation Skills: Strong capability to analyze complex datasets, identify trends, and use this information to drive innovative practices and strategic decision-making.
• Leadership in Matrixed Environments: Proven effectiveness in navigating complex organizational structures, fostering collaboration across diverse teams to achieve strategic goals. The successful candidate will be effective at leading others, whether they are the direct-line manager or not.
• Cross-functional Coordination: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to lead and synchronize activities and outcomes across various departments and teams.
• Relationship Building: Exceptional ability to cultivate relationships and exert influence at all organizational levels, fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.
• Development and Coaching: Skilled in mentoring and developing team members, enhancing their professional growth, and aligning their efforts with organizational objectives.
• Remote Team Management: Experience in leading remote teams, ensuring high performance and adherence to values of excellence, integrity, and respect.
• Technological Collaboration: Experience collaborating with technology teams to spearhead the adoption of new technologies that align with role-specific needs.
• Adaptability: Agile in adapting to change, capable of managing shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Financial and Analytical Acumen: Proficient in budget management and financial analysis with a strong ability to interpret and utilize data to inform strategic decisions.
• Quantitative Reasoning: Strong quantitative skills, able to utilize logical reasoning and data analysis to support decision-making and problem-solving.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• * Master's degree from an accredited institution.
• * 12+ years of related experience, with at least 7 years of leading a team, ideally in large, complex organizations or institutions.
• * 5+ years building revenue-generating partnerships that demonstrate impact at scale. Experience should include a combination of deal sourcing, negotiation, execution, onboarding, and delivery.
• * Experience building strategies, plans, teams, and funding for new capabilities, products, or companies as an entrepreneur and/or intrapreneur.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project management
• Strong business networks
• Experience with digital and print marketing, content marketing, and social media marketing
• Experience in higher education
• Student enrollment lifecycle

Maximum Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in related field

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• 20 to 40% travel

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

How to apply: apply online

Full-time Regular Positions(FT classification, standard working hours = 40)

This is a full-time, regular position that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

The University is an equal opportunity employer.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.