Remote Program Manager Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

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Position Title:
Program Manager, Collaborative Language Program
Job Category:
Academic Staff
Employment Type:
Regular
Job Profile:
Academic Program Manager
Job Duties:
The Universities of Wisconsin Office of Online & Professional Learning Resources (OPLR) seeks a Program Manager to provide leadership and administrative coordination for the Collaborative Language Program, a world languages course-sharing collaboration between multiple UW universities. In addition to CLP coordination, this position may be assigned additional program management or other duties as assigned.
This position plays a critical role in supporting program operations, facilitating cross-campus collaboration, maintaining core systems and communication structures, providing leadership in language pedagogy, and contributing to the strategic direction and program growth. The Program Manager serves as a central resource for faculty, advisors, staff, and students involved in the Collaborative Language Program, ensuring consistent practices, accurate information, and seamless experiences across institutions.
The position has an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026.
Key Job Responsibilities:
Working in close collaboration with the CLP Steering Committee, the Program Manager contributes to the Universities of Wisconsin's broader mission to expand access to high-quality world languages education.
Program Oversight & Strategy

• Provide comprehensive management and strategic oversight of a portfolio of world language courses collectively called the Collaborative Language Program.

• Develop and implement annual goals, growth strategies, and process improvements aligned with organizational, UW university and CLP priorities.

• Monitor program performance using key metrics; identify and implement pedagogical or technological enhancements to support impact, efficiency, and relevance.

• Identify opportunities for program and service improvements and contribute to the integration and onboarding of new UW partners.

• Provide strategic leadership in growing a multi-campus course-sharing platform, envisioning the model as a prototype for future course sharing across the UWs.

• Provide guidance and support for language pedagogy, including as needed one-on-one support to language faculty and design/implementation of shared courses

Project Management & Cross-functional Leadership

• Serve as the lead liaison among internal teams and campus faculty, campus administration, campus advisors, and OPLR to ensure accurate program delivery and adherence to quality standards.

• Maintain strong, transparent communication and facilitate meetings and collaborative decision-making with the Steering Committee in the coordination of course offerings and supports.

• Both lead and contribute to multi-stakeholder projects involving internal teams (marketing, recruitment, instructional design, student services) and campus faculty and administrators.

• Drive efficiency by establishing and managing systems to align program operations with campus processes for course offerings, admissions, and student support.

• Collaborate with peers across program areas to share best practices and implement initiatives that strengthen the overall portfolio.

• Manage program budgets and ensure that revenue targets are met, and expense limits are not exceeded.

• Foster a culture of trust, collaboration and mutual accountability within and across OPLR teams and UW partners.

Program Operations & Coordination

• Develop, maintain and update a centralized administrative database for course offerings, course enrollments, instructors of record, and program metrics across participating institutions. These data collection and reporting functions will be coordinated with OPLR's data team.

• Manage data integrity and reporting across UW partners; reconcile enrollment data each semester and coordinate student data transfers with UW campuses and OPLR.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for course scheduling, enrollment management, and registration timelines, accounting for campus-specific processes and policies.

• Assist in the development of multi-year course schedules; provide historical data and forecasts to support planning.

• Prepare reports and briefings for decision-makers regarding program performance, trends, and student outcomes.

• Evaluate and analyze course and language program assessment activities for course quality, desired goals and learning outcomes.

POSITION DESCRIPTION CLARIFICATION
This position description represents a general outline of job duties, expectations, responsibilities and qualifications. It is not intended to be comprehensive in nature. In addition, this position is likely to evolve over time and therefore the position description may not fully reflect the precise nature of the position at a future point in time.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

• Ability to quickly develop working knowledge in new content areas, leveraging partnerships and subject matter experts to ensure program quality.

• Strong project management and administration skills and ability to lead complex initiatives from planning through execution.

• Success working collaboratively with academic and non-academic stakeholders.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with a focus on clarity, transparency, and shared goals.

• Creative problem-solving abilities and comfort navigating change in dynamic environments.

• Understanding of higher education systems and the needs of adult learners.

• Interest in and commitment to innovation in online and lifelong learning.

Department:
Through a unique collaborative model, OPLR manages interdisciplinary programs in partnership with campuses throughout the 13 Universities of Wisconsin. The UW universities provide curriculum, faculty, and academic support services, while OPLR leads operational strategy, including program management, marketing, instructional design, media production, and student services. Our student population includes both traditional aged students and working adults seeking flexible, high-quality online academic offerings.
Compensation:
The Program Manager, Collaborative Languages Program is a full-time, salaried, exempt, academic staff position.
Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $70,000 - $80,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.
The Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Universities of Wisconsin Employee Benefits Quick Guide (FA/AS/LI) or Universities of Wisconsin Employee Benefits Quick Guide (US). Use the Health & Retirement Contributions Estimatorto calculate the estimated value of your compensation and benefits.
Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree.
• Minimum of three years of experience in higher education, adult learning or continuing education.
• Demonstrated experience in program or project management, preferably leading and contributing to multi-stakeholder projects involving internal teams and external partners.
• Exhibits strong organizational and administrative skills. Evidence of hands-on experience in data systems and process documentation.
• Demonstrated success building constructive, trust-centered relationships with partners and stakeholders with differing needs, perspectives and goals, fostering mutual understanding and effective working relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel occasionally, mainly in Wisconsin.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a world language, language pedagogy or a related field
• Experience supporting online, hybrid online, or traditional and adult learner programs
• Familiarity with UW universities and policies, and familiarity with general or specialized accreditation agencies
• Experience with student advising, instructional design collaboration, or inter-institutional collaborations and coordination
• Teaching experience as a language instructor
• Ability to provide, lead or facilitate teaching professional development in language instruction

Work Location:
The business location is 780 Regent St., Madison, WI. Telecommuting or hybrid work options may be available, with a minimum in-office expectation of two days per month. Residency in/relocation to the state of Wisconsin is required. Some in-state travel for meetings will be required. Telecommuting agreements are subject to change at any time.
How to Apply:
To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through 11:59 pm, April 8, 2026.However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.
To receive full consideration, interested applicants are required to apply online and provide a resume (PDF Format) and cover letter addressing your experience and education as it applies to all minimum and preferred qualifications (PDF Format).
Failing to submit the required application documents may disqualify your application.
Contact Information:
Questions may be addressed to: Kristina Williston, HR Generalist at kristina.williston@wisconsin.edu.
Accommodation Request
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting uwshr@wisconsin.edu.
Criminal Background Check and Reference Check Policy
This offer of employment is conditional pending the results of a criminal background check and a reference check process that includes questions regarding employee misconduct, sexual violence, and sexual harassment. If you have prior work history within the past 7 years with the Universities of Wisconsin, your personnel file will also be reviewed for employee misconduct. If the results are unacceptable, the offer will be withdrawn or, if you have started employment, your employment will be terminated.
Employment Authorization
Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of employer sponsorship) on, before, or after the effective date of appointment.
Confidentiality
The Universities of Wisconsin will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. §. 19.36(7).
Benefits Information
Universities of Wisconsin employees receive an excellent benefits package. To learn more about the benefits package, review the Faculty, Academic Staff & Limited Appointees or University Staff Please see this link for total compensation information: Universities of Wisconsin Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator to provide you with total compensation information.
Clery Act information
The Universities of Wisconsin provides statistics on campus crime in its Annual Security Report. For more information on university campus statistics see https://www.wisconsin.edu/compliance/clery/.
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.