Associate Director - Academic Operations

About the Opportunity

About the Role

The Associate Director of Academic Operations provides high-level leadership and operational oversight for the College of Engineering's graduate academic portfolio, which includes 45 graduate programs across six departments and multiple global campuses. This role ensures the seamless execution of all graduate academic operations, governance, curriculum management, accreditation support, and regulatory compliance.

The Associate Director serves as a key liaison between the College of Engineering, the Office of the Provost, the Registrar, the Graduate Council, and other university stakeholders. This position oversees the full lifecycle of graduate programs and course governance through the CourseLeaf curriculum management system, ensuring that proposals progress efficiently, meet university standards, and align with college and institutional objectives. The role also leads the management and annual maintenance of the graduate academic catalog, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and compliance with college and university policies. This position supports accreditation efforts for all graduate programs and provides critical coordination and documentation for state and provincial licensure submissions. In addition, the Associate Director supports the development and launch of new online and on-ground graduate programs, playing a central role in planning, communication, and operational readiness.

Key Responsibilities & Accountabilities

1. Graduate Program and Catalog Oversight

• Provide leadership for the review, update, and maintenance of all College of Engineering graduate program pages in the academic catalog

• Ensure curricular, policy, and accreditation-related updates are accurate, timely, and aligned with university standards

2. Curriculum and Course Governance

• Oversee and manage all graduate course and program proposals through the CourseLeaf system

• Monitor workflow, resolve issues, ensure policy compliance, and communicate feedback to departments and academic units

3. Graduate Affairs Committee Administration

• Coordinate all activities for the Graduate Affairs Committee (GAC), including scheduling, agenda development, meeting preparation, communication, and minute drafting

• Ensure committee actions are documented and routed appropriately

4. Assessment and Accreditation Support

• Lead coordination of assessment efforts across graduate programs and partner with departments to ensure timely submission of assessment materials

• Support accreditation processes and collaborate with the Provost's Office on requirements related to state and provincial licensure

5. Program Development and Launch Support

• Provide operational support for the development and rollout of new on-ground and online graduate programs

• Coordinate readiness activities, ensure documentation accuracy, and facilitate communication among academic and administrative stakeholders

6. Program Performance and Data Analytics

• Access and analyze program performance data including enrollment figures, course offerings, and external market trends

• Provide insights to support the continuous improvement of graduate programs

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree in higher education administration, business, or a related field preferred

• 3–5 years of professional experience in an academic or administrative higher education environment required

• Knowledge of academic governance, curriculum management, and university academic policies

• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex workflows simultaneously

• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with faculty, academic leaders, and central administrative offices

Documents Required

• Resume

• Cover Letter

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.  

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.