1042 Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs and Partnerships

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs and Partnerships

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1042

GRADE 47

CLASSIFICATION Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Vice President for Community and Global Partnerships

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs and Partnerships works with the Division of Community and Global Partnerships and the Graduate College to lead Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs, and advance strategic initiatives related to employer partnerships and international programs. This position works closely with academic departments, faculty, and external partners to help shape the future of interdisciplinary education and ensure students have the resources and pathways to achieve their academic and professional goals.

This position assists in the development of customized academic programs for MSU International Programs and as part of the University’s Employer Partnerships initiative. This position collaborates with international partner universities and business/industry professionals to improve programs, develop new programs, and to provide student access to high-impact learning opportunities such as internships, work-study, and global and community engagement.  This position oversees the Community Graduate Assistant Program and leads the implementation of customized dual degree partnerships in the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) and Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (MSIS) programs. 

MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Master’s degree is required; a doctoral degree is preferred.  An interdisciplinary educational background, with a combination of education, business and project management studies is preferred.  An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements. 

Experience: At least five years of higher education experience is required. Professional experience in graduate and international education is required.  Previous service as a faculty member is preferred.  Experience in strategic management, implementing complex projects from inception to completion, is preferred.  

Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required; excellent interpersonal skills are required. Problem solving skills are required.  Strong presentation and communication skills are required. Computer literacy is required, including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office and use of the internet.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Oversees operations of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs to ensure the smooth implementation of program activities, maintaining high standards of education and experiences.

2. Collaborates with various academic departments to secure overload and per-course instructors for the MPS and MSIS programs and manages payment process for per-course instructors.

3. Oversees implementation of customized MPS and MSIS programs for international partner universities, ensuring programs align with the interests and objectives of both the partner institutions and MSU academic departments.

4. Leads the expansion of the university’s Community Graduate Assistant Program by recruiting new community partners, managing agreements, conducting site visits to ensure program quality, and providing financial oversight.

5. Coordinates with graduate program directors to promote Community Graduate Assistant opportunities to qualified students, facilitate student application and selection, lead the onboarding process for new GAs, and ensure effective communication and support for both GAs and community partner supervisory staff.

6. Coordinates the development of customized academic programs as part of the university’s Employer Partnerships initiative and MSU International Programs.

7. Develops and implements programs that utilize technology for virtual, in-person, and blended course delivery and enhanced student experience.

8. Works in collaboration with the Director of Strategy and Innovation, Community and Global Partnerships, to develop an introductory online academic program for undergraduate international students seeking an online-to-seated pathway to MSU.

9. Develops and implements a comprehensive marketing strategy to introduce this new online academic program to prospective students in Asia, South America, and other international locations.

10. Evaluates existing courses and modules for potential inclusion of credit-bearing entrepreneurial and practical experiences, aligning with industry standards and academic requirements.

11. Facilitates strategic initiatives and/or special projects by serving as a liaison between MSU administrative and academic teams and external stakeholders, including community and industry professionals.

12. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed.

13. Helps ensure the success and growth of Missouri State University by performing all other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION

The Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs and Partnerships supervises the Assistant Director of Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs and may supervise other full- and part-time staff, graduate assistants, and student employees.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

JANUARY 2025

JOB FAMILY 4

Factor 1: Professional Knowledge, Skill, and Technical Mastery

Level 5.0 - 3300 Points: Knowledge of the principles and methods of an administrative, managerial, or professional field such as accounting or auditing, financial management, information technology, business administration, human resources, engineering, law, social sciences, communications, education, or medicine. Knowledge permits employee to supervise projects and/or departments using standard methods to improve administrative and/or line operations. Knowledge also permits employee to plan steps and carry out multi-phase projects requiring problem definition and modified techniques, to coordinate work with others, and to modify methods and procedures to solve a wide variety of problems. Knowledge at this level requires a Bachelor's or Master's degree with substantial related work experience, including up to two years of administrative or supervisory experience. Alternatively, this level may require a professional or clinical degree beyond the Bachelor's degree with moderate related work experience; knowledge requirements include significant levels of related work experience.

Factor 2: Supervisory Responsibility

Level 5.0 - 730 Points: Supervision of (a) several work teams or work team leaders, (b) a rather large group of operative, administrative support, or paraprofessional employees, (c) a work group involving direction of skilled technical employees, (d) professionals in technical and skilled areas, and/or (e) subordinate supervisory personnel. The incumbent performs a full range of supervisory responsibilities including the authority to hire, train, transfer, promote, reward, or discipline others. Supervision will likely be general rather than close supervision of others. At this level, supervisory responsibilities consume significant amounts of work time and include substantial responsibility for work planning activities, staffing, and performance management as well as budgeting and planning functions.

Factor 3: Interactions with Others

Level 4.0 - 500 Points: Interactions with others are somewhat unstructured. The purpose may be to influence or motivate others, to obtain information, or to control situations and resolve problems. Interactions may be with individuals or groups of co-workers, students, or the general public, may be moderately unstructured, and may involve persons who hold differing goals and objectives. Individuals at this level often act as a liaison between groups with a focus on solving particular unstructured problems. Interactions at this level require considerable interpersonal skill and the ability to resolve conflict.

Factor 4: Job Controls and Guidelines

Level 4.0 - 850 Points: The employee operates under administrative supervision and makes decisions based on broadly-stated University objectives and available resources. Administrative guidelines are expressed in terms of project or program outcomes and deadlines with few comprehensive guidelines. Decisions are based on inadequate guidelines that require considerable interpretation and force the employee to plan all phases of the assignment. Assignments may be unrelated in function and the work requires many different processes and methods and a great deal of analysis to identify the nature and extent of problems. The work may require the employee to develop new methods and to deal with many variables, including some that are unclear or conflicting. Characteristic jobs at this level may involve directing large and/or complex programs, projects, or departments in which the work cuts across functional lines or requires dealing with unprecedented issues.

Factor 5: Managerial Responsibility

Level 5.0 - 2350 Points: Work involves primary accountability for a larger department, program, or process. Work activities involve managerial decisions that directly affect the efficiency, costs, reputation, and service quality of the department, program, or process. Work affects a limited range of professional projects or administrative activities of the University, influences internal or external operations, or impacts students, faculty, and/or staff. Work activities have a direct and significant impact on the department. Work activities also have a significant effect on the efficiency and reputation of the cost center and represent a relatively major function within the cost center. At this level would be jobs in which the incumbent may have responsibility for developing budgets, distributing budgeted funds, and exercising primary control over a moderately-sized budget.