Assistant Director of Innovation at William Jewell College – Liberty, Missouri

POSITION SUMMARY

The Assistant Director of Innovation serves as the primary driver of new program development and strategic initiatives within the College of Graduate, Professional and Innovative Programs. This entrepreneurial leader identifies market opportunities, designs innovative programming, manages the program development pipeline, and ensures successful launch and implementation of new offerings.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Development & Market Analysis

• Conduct market research to identify demand for new programs and certificates

• Analyze competitive landscape and labor market data

• Develop comprehensive program proposals with financial pro formas

• Lead feasibility studies for potential new programs

• Create business cases with clear rationale and success metrics

Portfolio Management & Metrics

• Maintain comprehensive pipeline of program development initiatives

• Track key performance indicators for all programs

• Prepare regular reports on program portfolio health

• Monitor industry trends and emerging fields

• Assess underperforming programs and recommend improvements

Project Management & Implementation

• Lead cross-functional project teams for new program launches

• Develop detailed implementation plans with timelines and milestones

• Coordinate curriculum development with faculty

• Manage program launch activities including marketing and enrollment

• Ensure smooth onboarding of new partner organizations

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master's degree recommended; MBA, M.Ed., M.P.A., or related field experience

Experience:

• Minimum 3-5 years in higher education program development or curriculum design

• Demonstrated success launching new academic programs

• Experience with market research and data analysis

• Project management experience with multi-stakeholder initiatives

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

• Entrepreneurial mindset with creative problem-solving

• Excellent project management abilities

• Exceptional written and verbal communication

• Collaborative leadership style