Associate Director Of Academic Programs Jobs in California

The Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) is the chief academic officer of SCIT, responsible for providing visionary and operational leadership across all academic programs, faculty, and student learning initiatives. Reporting directly to the President, the VPAA leads the academic division with a commitment to continuous improvement, faculty development, and a student-centered culture grounded in hands-on, career-relevant learning.

This role requires a collaborative and strategic leader who brings both academic credibility and practical administrative experience. The ideal candidate is energized by the opportunity to build and strengthen academic systems at a growing institution, can earn the trust of faculty and staff, and is deeply committed to the success of non-traditional students pursuing technical careers.

Academic Vision and Program Oversight

• Develop and articulate a compelling vision for academic growth, program quality, and curriculum innovation aligned with SCIT's hands-on, industry-focused mission.
• Lead and collaborate with faculty, program chairs, and academic committees to develop, implement, and assess programs that meet accreditation standards and evolving industry needs.
• Evaluate opportunities for new program development and ensure the health and integrity of all existing programs.
• Oversee the integration of learning resources, including library and instructional technology, into academic programs and the student experience.

Curriculum Development

• Review and approve curricular changes, ensuring alignment with program learning outcomes, industry demand, and institutional mission.
• Champion hands-on, applied learning as a core curricular principle, including the strategic development and improvement of laboratory facilities and equipment.
• Collaborate with faculty to strengthen course design, learning outcome alignment, and assessment practices across all programs and modalities.

Faculty Recruitment, Development, and Evaluation

• Lead faculty recruitment, hiring, and onboarding to ensure programs are staffed with qualified, industry-experienced educators.
• Design and implement a faculty development framework that supports professional growth, instructional effectiveness, and meaningful participation in academic governance.
• Develop and oversee faculty and program chair evaluation processes that promote excellence in teaching, scholarly engagement, and adherence to institutional standards.
• Mentor faculty and program chairs directly, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and shared ownership of academic quality.

Assessment and Accreditation

• Lead the development and implementation of systematic program assessment processes, including curriculum mapping, learning outcome data collection, and evidence-based continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with all accreditation standards, including ACCSC, WSCUC, and applicable state requirements, and actively participate in accreditation reviews and reporting.
• Oversee Program Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings and ensure robust industry engagement in curriculum review and program improvement.
• Advance the institution's long-term goal of ABET accreditation for engineering programs.

Student Success

• Implement strategies and programs that support student retention, academic progress, and timely completion, with particular attention to the needs of working adult learners.
• Collaborate with student services to ensure a cohesive, student-centered experience that bridges academic and co-curricular support.

Academic Policy and Governance

• Interpret, develop, and enforce academic policies and procedures to ensure consistency, integrity, and compliance.
• Serve as the institutional authority on academic matters, including credit hour policy, course approval, and academic standards.
• Support the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and foster a culture of shared governance and faculty voice in institutional decision-making.

Strategic Planning and Budget

• Contribute to institution-wide strategic planning and lead the development of multi-year academic division goals, KPIs, and implementation plans.
• Develop and manage the academic division budget in alignment with institutional priorities and financial sustainability goals.
• Collaborate with the President and Leadership Team on enrollment strategy, facilities planning, and resource allocation decisions that affect academic programs.

Instruction

• Teach courses as needed in support of academic programs, consistent with the candidate's area of expertise.

Required

• Master's degree in engineering, education, or a closely related field; doctoral degree strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in higher education academic administration, with a track record of building and improving academic programs.
• Experience in faculty supervision, development, and evaluation.
• Working knowledge of accreditation standards and processes; experience with WSCUC, ACCSC, or ABET is highly desirable.
• Experience in curriculum development, program assessment, and data-driven continuous improvement.
• Proven ability to earn the trust and confidence of faculty, staff, and institutional leadership.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.

Preferred

• Experience at a career-focused, technical, or professional institution serving non-traditional student populations.
• Familiarity with hands-on and laboratory-based instructional models.
• Experience leading or participating in WSCUC, ABET, or comparable accreditation processes.
• Background in engineering, technology, or a related technical discipline.

This is a full-time, salaried position with a standard schedule of 40 hours per week. Work schedule will be discussed during the hiring process. Because SCIT courses are offered primarily in the evenings, with some classes ending as late as 10:00 PM, the VPAA must be available and willing to work evening hours on occasion as required by institutional needs.

Following a successful introductory period, SCIT offers the following benefits:

• Paid Sick Leave: 40 hours per calendar year.
• Paid Vacation: 40 hours in the first year; 80 hours annually from the second year onward, accrued each term.
• Paid Holidays: 8 paid holidays per calendar year.
• Health Insurance: PPO and HMO plan options with a portion of monthly premiums ($400/month) covered by SCIT.
• 401(k): Eligible to participate after one year of employment and 1,000 hours of service.