Director of the School of Continuing and Lifelong Education - DSCLE202620

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of the School of Continuing and Lifelong Education at USEK is a strategic, entrepreneurial leader responsible for building and scaling the university’s lifelong learning ecosystem. Reporting to the Associate Provost for Innovation and Strategic Development, they oversee the design, launch, execution, and financial performance of professional, executive, and lifelong learning programs, ensuring they are market-responsive and high-impact, while championing USEK’s continuing education strategy.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

     Strategic Planning Responsibilities:

1. Establishes the school as a core pillar of the University ecosystem and a trusted partner for workforce upskilling and professional development.
2. Operationalizes the strategic objectives of the school.
3. Defines governance structures, policies, and decision-making frameworks for continuing education. 
4. Leads phased implementation from pilot programs to regional leadership.
5. Builds continuing education at USEK around a system of sustainable governance, teams, systems, and partnerships.
6. Positions USEK as a national and regional reference in continuing education and micro-credentials.
7. Drives enrollment growth and market expansion. 
8. Ensures financial sustainability, revenue generation, and profitability of programs. 
9. Establishes a continuous market intelligence function to inform program development.

    Assessment and Operational Responsibilities:

1. Continuously assesses market trends, industry needs, and skills gaps to identify high-demand opportunities. 
2. Translates market insights into a pipeline of new programs and offerings. 
3. Establishes mechanisms for ongoing demand validation and program relevance. 
4. Designs and oversees a portfolio of high-demand, revenue-generating programs, prioritizing market relevance, employability outcomes, and financial viability. 
5. Continuously evaluates and optimizes this portfolio based on enrollment performance and market response. 
6. Drives student acquisition and enrollment growth across all continuing education programs. 
7. Delivers on revenue targets and financial performance of the school and ensure profitability and financial sustainability of programs and operations. 
8. Leads structured coordination with relevant academic units to embed continuing education as an integrated extension of USEK’s academic ecosystem. 
9. Ensures the integration of credentialing within learning platforms and professional networks. 
10. Promotes innovative delivery models. 
11. Leads the implementation of strategic continuing education programs at institutional level. 
12. Chairs or oversees program and internal steering committees related to the school. 
13. Ensures academic integrity, quality assurance, and alignment with USEK standards across all offerings. 

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

1. Proven capability in change management and innovation.
2. Strong financial and operational oversight abilities, including resource allocation.
3. Ability to anticipate emerging trends in education.
4. Strategic leadership and execution skills.
5. Advanced stakeholder engagement skills at senior levels.
6. Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
7. Results-driven and data-informed decision-making skills.
8. Entrepreneurial mindset, combining initiative, calculated risk-taking, and opportunity recognition.
9. Strong commitment to academic integrity and rigor.
10. Demonstrated exposure to higher education environments, continuing education, executive education, vocational or professional learning ecosystems. 
11. Demonstrated ability to translate strategic directions into operational plans, ensuring effective implementation and delivery of programs or services.
12. Comprehensive understanding of continuing education, lifelong learning, and micro-credential ecosystems.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE

1. Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field. 
2. A Doctorate is considered an asset, particularly for candidates coming from academic leadership pathways. 
3. Relevant certifications or training in digital learning, innovation, or program development are a plus.
4. 7-10+ years of progressive experience, including at least 3-5 years in a managerial role, within higher education, executive education, vocational, professional training, or similar environments. 
5. Proven experience in designing and managing programs or initiatives, including coordination with multiple stakeholders (academic, administrative, and external).  
6. Experience in partnership development and stakeholder engagement. 

Candidates must meet all employment requirements, including – but not limited to – education and certification requirements, reference checks, and criminal background checks.

Additional Details about this position will only be provided to Shortlisted Candidates only.