Academic Program Manager Jobs in Gaithersburg, MD

The William & Mary Washington Center, located in Mt. Vernon Triangle in Washington, D.C., seeks a full-time Program Manager for the Campus for Innovative Learning. The Washington Center supports William & Mary students, alumni, faculty, staff, and external partners through academic and internship opportunities, student scholarships, career and networking resources, alumni engagement, event planning, and faculty teaching and research opportunities. Reporting to the Senior Associate Director, and with strategic oversight from the Washington Center Director, this position will manage the administration, assessment, and operational coordination of up to three innovative degree-seeking academic partnership programs based at the Washington Center. The position requires substantial independent judgment, advanced knowledge of higher education administration, and the ability to coordinate across multiple schools, academic units, faculty groups, external partners, and administrative offices. This role is responsible not only for program logistics and student support, but also for ensuring that new and emerging academic programs are assessed in accordance with institutional, SCHEV, and SACSCOC-related expectations for academic quality, student achievement, institutional effectiveness, and continuous improvement. Because these programs may include small cohorts, new curricula, graduate-level coursework, and multi-unit partnerships, the position requires graduate-level methodological competence in assessment design, rubric development, data interpretation, documentation, and evidence-based program improvement. The Program Manager will serve as a central operational and assessment lead for these initiatives, facilitating program growth, ensuring student and partner engagement, supporting faculty-led academic assessment, and helping protect the institution’s accreditation posture.

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, education, public policy, program evaluation, assessment, or a related field.
• Significant experience in higher education, K-12 education administration, academic program administration, nonprofit management, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex programs involving multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of academic assessment, student learning outcomes, rubric development, or program evaluation.
• Ability to interpret and communicate quantitative and qualitative data for program improvement.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently on professional projects with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work collaboratively under multiple supervisors and across multiple academic and administrative units.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with partner schools, faculty, administrative offices, students, alumni, and external organizations.
• Ability to work some evenings and weekends.
• Ability to travel to William & Mary's Williamsburg campus on a monthly basis.

• Doctorate or equivalent terminal degree in higher education administration, education, assessment, public policy, or a related field.
• Experience with SACSCOC, SCHEV, institutional effectiveness, accreditation reporting, or academic program review.
• Experience assessing small-enrollment, graduate, interdisciplinary, or newly launched academic programs.
• Experience with student recruitment, internship programs, employer relations, or academic partnerships.
• Experience working with faculty on curriculum, student learning outcomes, assessment documentation, and evidence-based program improvement.
• Experience managing programs in a multi‑campus, urban, or external partnership environment.

This is a restricted position, subject to the continued availability of funding and minimum enrollment requirements. Incumbent must be able to travel to W&M's Williamsburg campus on a monthly basis.

30% - Academic Program Administration and Cross-Unit Coordination: Manage day-to-day administration of up to three innovative degree-seeking partnership programs housed through or supported by the Washington Center. Coordinate program logistics across the Washington Center, School of Education, Mason School of Business, Law School, Arts & Sciences, Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships, and other university partners. Serve as a central point of contact among faculty, school leadership, administrative offices, students, and external partners. Coordinate classroom space, program calendars, course logistics, faculty needs, and student-facing program operations in both Washington, D.C. and Williamsburg. Support the launch, scaling, and ongoing refinement of new academic offerings. Exercise independent judgment in resolving operational challenges across multiple supervisors, units, and stakeholder groups.

25% - Program Assessment, Accreditation Support, and Continuous Improvement: Coordinate program assessment processes in alignment with SCHEV expectations, SACSCOC-related standards, institutional effectiveness requirements, and William & Mary's assessment practices. Support the development and refinement of student learning outcomes, assessment plans, rubrics, and evidence-gathering methods. Collect, organize, analyze, and interpret quantitative and qualitative assessment data. Assist faculty and program leadership in documenting student achievement, evaluating program effectiveness, and identifying evidence-based improvements. Support "closing the loop" by translating assessment findings into actionable program adjustments. Address the methodological challenges of assessing small-enrollment and emerging programs, including validity, reliability, data limitations, and appropriate interpretation of limited sample sizes. Prepare assessment summaries, reports, and documentation for internal review, external accreditation processes, and program improvement. Ensure assessment practices demonstrate rigor, faculty engagement, and appropriate academic oversight.

20% - Recruitment and Enrollment Coordination: Manage student recruitment for assigned CIL programs. Coordinate recruitment strategy and execution with school leadership, faculty, and Washington Center leadership. Liaise with the University Registrar and other administrative offices to support student application, enrollment, and program admission processes. Track prospective student engagement and support communication strategies for applicants and admitted students. Represent the programs to prospective students, internal stakeholders, and external partners.

15% - Student Support, Onboarding, and Internship Assistance: Organize and facilitate student onboarding, orientation, and transition into Washington Center-based programs. Serve as a primary student touchpoint for program questions, logistics, internship processes, and partner engagement. In partnership with other staff members, identify and cultivate D.C.-area organizations for potential internship placements. Advise students throughout the internship application, placement, and completion process. Liaise with D.C.-area organizations and institutions on behalf of students seeking internships. Monitor student needs and elevate academic, logistical, or partnership concerns as appropriate.

5% - Networking, Events, and External Engagement: Manage student‑alumni networking opportunities and mentor program activities. Assist with speaker coordination and related logistics for courses, capstone experiences, and partner‑based learning opportunities. Support events that enhance student learning, alumni engagement, and community partnerships.

5% - Other Duties as Assigned: Complete other duties that support the Washington Center, CIL programs, academic partnerships, assessment, and student success.

$78,000-$98,000 commensurate with experience

Applies knowledge of specialty area, program and budget development and administration, and management principles and practices. Contacts include staff, general public, professionals, students, teachers, management, administrators, legislators, and specialists within subject area for exchange of information.

JP0350 - Academic Program Administrator I - Exempt - Salary - S12 Qualifications: Compensation Grade: S12 Recruiting Start Date: 2026-08-10 Position Restrictions: Restricted Funds EEO is the Law.

William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Individuals selected for full-time staff positions will be required to complete a twelve (12) month probationary period in accordance with university policy.

Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor’s ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.

William & Mary and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) are vibrant, innovative and engaged communities and we are delighted about your interest in a career with us. Please be aware Workday has weekly downtimes and will be unavailable Fridays starting at 9:00 p.m. through Saturdays at noon (ET) for scheduled maintenance. During this time, the portal will be closed and will not accept applications.

William & Mary offers a competitive range of benefits that support employee well‑being and professional growth, including access to on-campus fitness facilities, university libraries, and other wellness resources. Educational assistance, professional development opportunities, and a robust holiday schedule are also available. Learn more and explore our comprehensive benefits website.

EEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary's status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. https://www.eeoc.gov/know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal