About the position

The City University of New York (CUNY) is the nation's largest urban public university, serving 235,000 degree-seeking students and 219,000 non-degree enrollments across 25 campuses. As a springboard for economic mobility, CUNY has been instrumental in lifting individuals from the lowest economic quintile to the highest, surpassing the collective impact of Ivy League institutions and other prestigious universities. More than 50% of students hail from households earning less than \$30,000 annually. 77% are students of color. 80% of CUNY's 1 million alumni have stayed in New York City, elevating CUNY's role as an economic engine for America's largest City and the region. Furthermore, 1 out of every 72 undergraduate/graduate students in America is a CUNY student, making our students' success a driver of national outcomes. CUNY non-degree programs are essential to its mission to provide high-quality, affordable education to all New Yorkers, and offer an array of accessible educational options ranging from in-demand, industry-validated credentials delivered in partnership with employers, to GED preparation, ESL, and pre-collegiate preparation programs. The Office of Careers & Industry Partnerships (OCIP) is tasked with increasing the career success of all CUNY degree and non-degree students alike, and ensuring organizations across New York can grow thanks to CUNY talent, expertise, and assets. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Career Engagement & Industry Partnerships, the University Senior Director for Continuing Education & Professional Studies will play a critical role in continuing this mission by leading efforts to ensure that CUNY's non-degree programs are equitable and effective pathways to jobs and the additional credentials needed to advance in careers (e.g. degrees). Building on the recent success of CUNY-wide initiatives such as CUNY Upskilling and the NY Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) for Workforce, this role will work with CUNY campuses and external stakeholders to lay out a mobilizing university-wide vision and supportive investments, partnerships, and policies for expanding sustainable, equitable and effective non-degree pathways.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of a university-wide strategy for innovative and employment-focused non-degree programming.
• Serve on OCIP's senior leadership team, contributing to strategy, systems development, and policy design that align with CUNY's strategic goals.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the Chancellor, Provost, and other senior leaders on non-degree pathways, broadening participation in in-demand fields, and workforce development.
• Represent CUNY at local, state, and national forums on adult and continuing education.
• Lead, manage, and mentor a diverse team, fostering a culture of collaboration and professional growth.
• Develop, implement, evaluate, and evolve policies, investments, and partnerships to grow accessible and effective non-degree pathways to jobs and/or additional career-boosting credentials.
• Enhance CUNY's Adult & Continuing Education portfolio by supporting the development of flexible education.
• Partner with campuses and employers to develop industry-aligned credentials and workforce initiatives.
• Advance the establishment of systems and tools that help to make non-degree programs more navigable, affordable, effective, and integrated with degree pathways.
• Implement strategies and policies that support Credit for Prior Learning, corporate training, and flexible education pathways.
• Grow on-ramps to non-degree programs through partnerships, including with NYC Public Schools.
• Build partnerships with key stakeholders, including public/private funders, and community-based organizations.
• Lead proposal and budget development, manage resources, and oversee CUNY-wide initiative implementation.
• Lead expansion and maintenance of a University-wide centralized registration system for non-degree programs.
• Ensure the system supports core functions such as financial aid, fiscal tracking, reporting, and other system integrations.
• Oversee collection and reporting of critical non-degree data for use by CUNY system leadership, campuses, students, and other key stakeholders.
• Establish and standardize data definitions and collection processes for program participation, completion, employment, and matriculation across all campuses.
• Produce regular reports and tools to support decision-making and performance monitoring meeting the needs of key leaders and stakeholders.
• Create tools for representing data to aid delivery of CUNY-wide initiatives.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to advance non-degree priorities.
• Present progress and proposals related to CUNY's non-degree portfolio to CUNY and external leaders in public and internal fora.
• Ensure smooth functioning and evolution of CUNY-wide Adult & Continuing Education Deans Council.
• Collaborate with campuses to clarify and implement policies and standard operating procedures related to CUNY non-degree programs/departments.
• Conduct ad hoc and formal data analysis utilizing Microsoft Excel and other tools.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience required.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in developing and deploying non-degree/accelerated training programs.
• Working experience in higher education, understanding of its complex systems and workforce development.
• Demonstrated success in building partnerships with employers and external stakeholders to identify needs to build programs/partnerships/policies to meet mutual goals.
• Ability to navigate complex institutions and influence positive working relations with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and student success.
• Proficiency in data analysis and Excel for evidence-driven decision-making.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills, capable of engaging with diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to independently establish plans and successfully execute multiple assignments with conflicting priorities and concurrent deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Proven critical thinking and financial analysis skills with experience analyzing data and budgets to drive decisions.
• Exemplary judgment and ethical standards, analytical acumen, superior problem-solving skills, decisiveness and ability to deliver timely advice.
• Demonstrated leadership and managerial skills, with ability to lead and manage teams, while using strategic and tactical judgment to make decisions to successfully navigate various complex scenarios.

Benefits

• The salary range is \$129,310 to \$141,848, commensurate with credentials, education, and experience.
• CUNY is in the process of implementing salary schedule increases.
• CUNY's benefits contribute significantly to total compensation, supporting health and wellness, financial well-being, and professional development.
• We offer a range of health plans, competitive retirement/pension benefits and savings plans, tuition waivers for CUNY graduate study and generous paid time off.
• Our staff also benefits from the extensive academic, arts, and athletic programs on our campuses and the opportunity to participate in a lively, diverse academic community in one of the greatest cities in the world.