Program Manager, Health & Human Services Programs - University of Wisconsin-Madison : Job Details

Program Manager, Health & Human Services Programs

This role is responsible for a portfolio of programs related to health and human services, with flexibility to adapt to new offerings as the portfolio evolves. The Program Manager plays a key role in advancing both the success of individual programs and contributing to department-wide strategy and collaboration. The ideal candidate brings strong project management skills, cross-functional leadership, and a creative mindset for growth and innovation in adult online education in a multi-stakeholder environment.

Key Job Responsibilities

Enrollment Growth & Innovation

• Develop, implement and monitor program growth strategies, coordinating closely with marketing, recruitment and student coaching teams to ensure program success and growth.
• Provide data, research, and feedback loops to inform marketing approaches and identify new growth opportunities.
• Support innovative approaches to program design, delivery, and market positioning, especially for working adult learners.

Program Oversight & Strategy

• Provide comprehensive management and strategic oversight of a portfolio of health and human services-related academic programs.
• Develop and implement annual goals, growth strategies, and process improvements aligned with organizational priorities.
• Monitor program performance using key metrics; identify and implement enhancements to support impact, efficiency, and relevance.
• Identifies opportunities for program and service improvement and contributes to the development and implementation of new program ideas, from concept to launch.
• Maintains an understanding of current and upcoming accreditation standards. Coordinates with faculty, staff, and advisory boards to maintain accreditation of the program(s).
• Ensures industry and academic relevance and currency of the program by networking with local, state, and national professional organizations, working with campus partners to integrate new technologies and emerging content into program curriculum, and facilitating strong advisory boards.

Project Management & Cross-functional Collaboration

• 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 admissions, registration, credit evaluation, 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.

Leadership & Departmental Contribution

• Actively participate in internal planning and cross-program initiatives that enhance OPLR's operational effectiveness and strategic alignment.

• Apply adaptive leadership practices to help the team navigate evolving priorities and emerging opportunities.

• Stay informed on trends in higher education, health and human services workforce needs, and online learning innovation.

Partner & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the lead liaison among internal teams and campus and external partners for assigned programs.
• Maintain strong, transparent communication of information and data about student progress, program success and goal attainment with faculty, advisors, administrative staff, and other key stakeholders.
• Foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and mutual accountability within and across internal teams and partners.

Department

The Office of Online & Professional Learning Resources (OPLR) works in partnership with all 13 UW universities to develop and deliver online semester- and competency-based degrees and a broad array of credit and non-credit certificates, courses, and other credentials to help adult and professional learners achieve their academic and professional development goals and to develop the workforce of Wisconsin.

OPLR supports Wisconsin Online, Wisconsin Online Collaboratives, UW Flexible Option, BSN@Home, UW Independent Learning and continuing education offices at all 13 UW universities through the Continuing Education Executive Council (CEEC).

Compensation: Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary within a range of $75,000- $85,000 commensurate with the candidate's education, related experience, and qualifications.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• Experience in program or project management, preferably involving cross-functional teams and external partnerships
• Experience in higher education, adult learning, or continuing education
• Ability to travel occasionally, mainly in Wisconsin

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in a related field
• Subject matter expertise and/or certifications in fields such as healthcare administration, counseling, or health information management is strongly preferred

How to Apply

To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials online as soon as possible. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through 11:59 pm, Thursday September 4, 2025. Applications may be accepted until the positions have been filled.

To receive full consideration, interested applicants are required to apply online and provide:

• Resume (PDF Format)
• 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, [email protected]

Commitment to Inclusive Excellence

Inclusive Excellence is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for Universities of Wisconsin. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the Universities of Wisconsin community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning, research, scholarship, creative activity, community service, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

Universities of Wisconsin fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background people who serve the State of Wisconsin and the public good.

Special Notes

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request by contacting [email protected].

The Universities of Wisconsin is required to conduct a criminal background and sexual harassment check for the selected finalist prior to employment.

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.

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.

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. See this link for total compensation information: Universities of Wisconsin Health & Retirement Contributions Estimator.

Application Instructions

To ensure full consideration, please submit application materials as soon as possible. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references. Applicant screening will begin immediately and be ongoing through the closing date. However, applications may be accepted until the position has been filled.

Clery Act Information

The Universities of Wisconsin provides statistics on campus crime in its Annual Security Report.

EEO Statement Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other bases as defined by federal regulations 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.