Senior Director Onramps

If youre passionate about building a better future for individuals communities and our countryand youre committed to working hard to play your part in building that futureconsider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online competencybased degree programs WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of studentfocused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century one that has received praise from academic industry government and media leaders. Whatever your role working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Pay Range: $157200.00 $282900.00

Job Description

Job Profile Summary:

The Senior Director of Onramps at WGU Academy an affiliate entity of Western Governors University will be a crucial role to develop launch grow operate and improve academic onramps for each of WGUs Schools: Business Technology Health and Education. This role will be responsible for the Onramps P&L collaborating across multiple WGU organizations and teams determining new offerings and delivering a worldclass student experience to encourage onramp completion and successful matriculation to and eventual graduation from credential programs. The role will report to WGU Academys President and work closely with WGUs Chief Academic Officer School leaders and a variety of other stakeholders.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Strategic Collaboration and Integration:

• Engage regularly and effectively with WGUs Schools of Health Education Technology and Business WGUs President CFO COO and CAO and all the organizations serving WGU students.

Innovation in Onramp Programs:

• Collaborate with WGU Academy leadership across WGUs academic organization to design execute and scale innovative Onramp programs that improve academic readiness.

Connect Onramps to a Unified Enrollment Experience:

• Work with WGUs Marketing and Enrollment teams to build a singular enrollment experience that provides targeted starting point recommendations to students based on their unique experiences qualifications and objectives.

Drive Results in Completion and Matriculation to Credential Programs

• Demonstrate accountability with your team as you report weekly monthly and quarterly results for students with particular attention to successful matriculation and ultimate credential completion.

Metrics Development and Continuous Evaluation:

• Work in partnership with research teams and school leaders to develop and refine metrics that assess the impact of Onramp programs.
• Ensure these metrics are used to drive continuous improvement and are aligned with the objectives of WGU and WGU Academy.

Leadership by Influence and Team Development:

• Lead within WGUs culture using influence to guide and coach others within WGU Academy. Emphasize the development of soft skills such as communication negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Enhance the capabilities of others across the university ensuring they are equipped to handle the challenges of a dynamic academic environment involving multiple stakeholders that may have competing priorities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Thought Leadership:

• Represent WGU in external forums bringing insights back to the university and disseminating successful practices outward enhancing the universitys reputation as a leader in innovative education strategies.
• Build robust networks with external educational and professional organizations to leverage external innovations and thinking integrating these into WGUs shortterm credential programs.

Financial Management and Resource Allocation:

• Refine a fiveyear vision for Onramps.
• Collaborate with finance and school leaders to ensure Onramp programs are wellfunded and resources are judiciously allocated according to strategic priorities.
• Facilitate discussions around resource allocation ensuring transparency and alignment with the strategic objectives of the university and the specific needs of each school.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skill and Abilities:

Strong background in design and delivery of academic programs that improve student outcomes particularly for adult learners. Professional knowledge of college readiness learning science instructional media UX and learner behavior and their application to improve learning experiences and student outcomes.

• Industry Knowledge: Understanding of both accredited and nonaccredited educational institutions and ventures that offer nondegree professional skill development including experience within these organizations.
• Entrepreneurship or Intrapreneurship: Onramps are a relatively new offering within WGUs ecosystem and will require tenacity resilience flexibility and agility to succeed at scale.
• Strategic Influence and Executive Presence: Demonstrated ability to engage and influence top WGU leadership and Clevel external stakeholders through excellent communication and persuasive leadership skills.
• Communication Excellence: Outstanding oral and written communication skills adept at crafting clear and compelling messages for various audiences. WGU writes narratives in prose to present request funding report results and provide accountability for this venture.
• Analytical and Innovation Skills: Strong capability to analyze complex datasets identify trends and use this information to drive innovative practices and strategic decisionmaking.
• Leadership in Matrixed Environments: Proven effectiveness in navigating complex organizational structures fostering collaboration across diverse teams to achieve strategic goals. The successful candidate will be effective at leading others whether they are the directline manager or not.
• Crossfunctional Coordination: Excellent organizational skills with the ability to lead and synchronize activities and outcomes across various departments and teams.
• Relationship Building: Exceptional ability to cultivate relationships and exert influence at all organizational levels fostering a culture of collaboration and mutual respect.
• Development and Coaching: Skilled in mentoring and developing team members enhancing their professional growth and aligning their efforts with organizational objectives.
• Remote Team Management: Experience in leading remote teams ensuring high performance and adherence to values of excellence integrity and respect.
• Technological Collaboration: Experience collaborating with technology teams to spearhead the adoption of new technologies that align with rolespecific needs.
• Adaptability: Agile in adapting to change capable of managing shifting priorities in a fastpaced environment.
• Financial and Analytical Acumen: Proficient in budget management and financial analysis with a strong ability to interpret and utilize data to inform strategic decisions.
• Quantitative Reasoning: Strong quantitative skills able to utilize logical reasoning and data analysis to support decisionmaking and problemsolving.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Masters degree from an accredited institution.

12 years of related experience with at least 7 years of leading a team typically in large complex institutions.

Deep experience in higher education with emphasis on underserved or lowerprepared populations demonstrating impact at scale.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Project management
• Student enrollment lifecycle

Maximum Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in related field

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• 20 travel is required in this role.

Position & Application Details

FullTime Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a fulltime regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical dental vision telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual 11 paid holidays and other paid leaves including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. Its not allinclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.