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Academic Program Director Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

Reporting to the Director of the Cooperative Research Programs and working closely with both the ... academia to address complex transportation challenges. Within TRB, the Cooperative Research ...

Academic Gastroenterologist

Louisville, KY · On-site

$384K/yr

... academic practice, research, including multiple NIH grants, and two NIH Center grants. Position ... Teaching Will interact with the Division Director and fellowship program director to assist with ...

... academic practice, research, including multiple NIH grants, and two NIH Center grants. Position ... Teaching Will interact with the Division Director and fellowship program director to assist with ...

Academic Gastroenterologist

Louisville, KY · On-site

$384K/yr

... academic practice, research, including multiple NIH grants, and two NIH Center grants. Position ... Teaching Will interact with the Division Director and fellowship program director to assist with ...

Showing results 21-40

Academic Program Director information

See Kentucky salary details

$25.6K

$67.9K

$119K

How much do academic program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for academic program director in Kentucky is $67,915.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,000.00 and $80,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an academic program director, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Academic Program Director, you need expertise in curriculum development, program management, and a relevant advanced degree, often at the master's or doctoral level. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS), accreditation processes, and data analysis tools is typically required. Exceptional leadership, organizational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with faculty, students, and administration are critical soft skills. These competencies ensure the effective delivery, assessment, and continuous improvement of academic programs, supporting institutional goals and student success.

What is the difference between Academic Program Director vs Academic Coordinator?

AspectAcademic Program DirectorAcademic Coordinator
ResponsibilitiesOversees entire academic programs, develops curriculum, manages faculty, and ensures program quality.Supports daily program operations, assists with scheduling, and coordinates student activities.
Required CredentialsTypically requires a master's or doctoral degree in education or related field, with experience in program management.Usually requires a bachelor's degree, with experience in administrative or educational support roles.
Work EnvironmentWorks in academic institutions, administrative offices, and collaborates with faculty and staff.Works in academic offices, assisting faculty and students, often in a support capacity.

The Academic Program Director focuses on strategic oversight and curriculum development, while the Academic Coordinator handles day-to-day operations and support tasks. Both roles are essential in educational settings but differ in scope and responsibilities.

What are some common challenges academic program directors face when managing curriculum updates?

Academic Program Directors often encounter challenges such as balancing the diverse needs of faculty, students, and accreditation bodies when updating curricula. They must ensure that course content remains current and relevant while aligning with institutional goals and compliance requirements. Coordinating input from multiple stakeholders and securing necessary approvals can be time-consuming, but strong organizational skills and proactive communication help facilitate a smooth revision process.

What does an academic program director do?

An Academic Program Director oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of educational programs within a college or university. They are responsible for curriculum development, faculty coordination, and ensuring that the program meets institutional standards and accreditation requirements. Additionally, they often manage budgets, assess student outcomes, and work to improve the quality and reputation of the academic program. Program Directors also serve as a primary point of contact for students, faculty, and external stakeholders.
What are popular job titles related to Academic Program Director jobs in Kentucky? For Academic Program Director jobs in Kentucky, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Academic Program Director jobs in Kentucky look for? The top searched job categories for Academic Program Director jobs in Kentucky are:
What cities in Kentucky are hiring for Academic Program Director jobs? Cities in Kentucky with the most Academic Program Director job openings:
Infographic showing various Academic Program Director job openings in Kentucky as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $67,915 per year, or $32.7 per hour.

Program Development Director - National Cooperative Highway Research Program

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine

On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 12 days ago


Job description

Job Description Summary:** NOTE A COVER LETTER IS REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION **
In this senior-level strategic role with no direct supervisory responsibilities, the Program Development Director, National Highway Cooperative Research Program (NCHRP), leads the development, coordination, and delivery of applied transportation research produced through NCHRP. NCHRP is funded by participating State Departments of Transportation (DOTs) and managed by the Transportation Research Board. NCHRP undertakes research to solve problems facing state DOTs administrators and engineers.
Reporting to the Director of the Cooperative Research Programs and working closely with both the Director and Deputy Director, the Program Development Director serves as a primary staff partner to the NCHRP oversight committees, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The position ensures that the oversight committee's priorities, decisions, and guidance, together with external stakeholder input, are effectively translated into internal program delivery activities and cohesive research portfolios.
The role exercises substantial independent judgment, manages a portfolio of complex and high-visibility research projects, and engages extensively with senior volunteers, sponsors, and stakeholders across the transportation community.
The Transportation Research Board (TRB), a division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, provides leadership in transportation innovation through objective, evidence-based research and convenes experts from government, industry, and academia to address complex transportation challenges. Within TRB, the Cooperative Research Programs (CRP) is a group of applied research programs-such as the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP), Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP), and Behavioral Traffic Safety Cooperative Research Program (BTSCRP), among others-that develop practical, implementable solutions to current and emerging transportation issues through stakeholder-driven research and collaboration.Job Description:

Responsibilities

Oversight Committee & Program Development

  • Work in close cooperation with the Director and Deputy Director to support the program oversight committee in identifying, refining, and prioritizing research needs.

  • Prepare analyses, options, and recommendations to support oversight committee deliberations and approval of research projects.

  • Contribute substantively to program development by integrating oversight committee guidance, stakeholder input, and operational considerations.

  • Ensure oversight committee decisions and priorities are clearly communicated and addressed through internal delivery activities.


Oversight Committee Meeting Planning & Support

  • Lead planning and coordination of oversight committee meetings, including agendas, schedules, materials, and decision frameworks, in cooperation with the Director.

  • Develop executive-quality briefing materials, background papers, program updates, and decision documents.

  • Document committee decisions, track action items, and coordinate follow-up to support timely implementation.


Stakeholder Engagement & Environmental Scanning

  • Independently engage with federal, state, local, and private-sector stakeholders to identify emerging research needs, trends, issues, and concerns.

  • Conduct environmental scanning of transportation policy, practice, technology, and research developments.

  • Synthesize stakeholder input and present insights to the Director, Deputy Director, and oversight committee to inform program direction and delivery.


Coordination with TRB Committees & NASEM Offices

  • Serve as a primary liaison with relevant TRB standing committees, task forces, and panels to inform research needs identification and promote alignment.

  • Coordinate with other National Academies divisions and offices, as appropriate, to leverage institutional expertise and avoid duplication.

  • Maintain awareness of related work across CRPs and NASEM to support integrated program delivery.


Program & Portfolio Management

  • Manage an assigned portfolio of complex research projects approved by the oversight committee.

  • Manage selected complex or high-profile research projects personally, including contractor oversight and delivery of final products.

  • Oversee contractor performance, schedules, budgets, and deliverables with minimal supervision.

  • Identify and resolve project-level issues independently and escalate strategic, fiscal, or reputational risks as appropriate.


Governance, Quality & Compliance Alignment

  • Ensure adherence to TRB and National Academies policies governing committee operations, peer review, ethics, and conflicts of interest.

  • Work closely with centralized CRP quality, compliance, contracting, and training functions to ensure projects meet institutional standards.

  • Support consensus-driven committee processes with objectivity and professionalism.


Communication & Influence

  • Prepare concise, decision-focused written materials for senior volunteers, sponsors, and leadership.

  • Communicate clearly and confidently with oversight committee members, stakeholders, contractors, and colleagues.

  • Influence outcomes through expertise, analysis, and collaboration rather than formal authority.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Knowledge of cooperative or committee-driven research programs and familiarity with transportation research sponsors and policy environments.

  • Understanding of the National Academies' mission, structure, and culture.

  • Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage complex portfolios and competing priorities.

  • Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.

  • Ability to negotiate funding and manage high-risk or complex research initiatives.

  • Ability to train, develop, and support staff.

  • Ability to operate with substantial independence, sound judgment, and discretion in a complex organizational environment.

  • Ability to solve complex problems involving significant variety and to serve as a resource to others in resolving issues.

  • Ability to work effectively in team-based settings and build and sustain collaborative relationships across departments and stakeholder groups.

  • Ability to perform effectively in complex, high-impact environments with multiple priorities and demands.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements:

Ph.D. in a discipline relevant to transportation, public policy, research management, or a closely related field; or a master's, or bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline with significant professional experience demonstrating advanced subject matter expertise, leadership in complex projects or programs, and independent research, analysis, or policy development responsibilities.

Minimum Experience:

  • Ten years of related professional experience.Demonstrated impact on the advancement of science or policy through the successful completion of National Academies' activities or equivalent outside activities and through effective dissemination of these activities.

  • Significant experience managing applied research projects or programs.

  • Demonstrated experience supervising and developing professional staff in a complex organization.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration:None

Any qualification to be considered equivalent, in lieu of stated minimum, requires the prior approval of the Office of Human Resources.

Other Details

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls

Reports to the Division Director. Independently establishes goals and objectives. May supervise staff.

Mental and Physical Capabilities

Ability to be visible on camera for meetings when remote.

Ability to use a computer and applicable hardware/software to perform responsibilities.

Ability to use multiple technology collaboration platforms, including collaboration tools. Examples: Microsoft Teams, Asana.

Ability to Focus/concentrate on tasks and multi-task, when needed

Begin work at the required time, per approved schedule.

Ability to lift/carry laptop and other mobile devices between work and home.

Ability to commute to work.

Ability to travel between National Academies' facilities and offsite sponsor/partner locations.

Ability to work in different time zones, when travel is outside of current location, e.g., when traveling internationally.

Ability to perform work responsibilities onsite, where required.

Ability to interact in-person with multiple people and large groups.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.

Ability to use a computer and applicable hardware/software to perform responsibilities.

Work Environment

Hybrid office/telecommute environment; expected onsite percentage 60%. Occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.

Compensation & Benefits: An estimated compensation range for this position is $126,880 - $198,250. Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate's relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters. Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range. This is a benefits-eligible position. Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance. For more information, please click here.

Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of the National Academies to recruit, hire, transfer, compensate, and promote people in all job categories and to administer all other personnel actions, terms and conditions of employment in a manner that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. It is also the institution's policy to recruit, hire, promote, and provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities and covered veterans who are otherwise qualified.

Disclaimer

The above information is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Some functions in this description may be specific to a particular unit of the National Academies and not applicable to other units.

Job Family:

PROGEmployee Type:EmployeeScheduled Weekly Hours:37.5City/State:Washington, District of Columbia