The Manager of Workforce and Community Programs supports Aurora University's commitment to community engagement and lifelong learning by coordinating the design, delivery, and logistics of non-credit, summer, and workforce-aligned programming. In collaboration with faculty, deans, and campus partners, the Manager translates finalized partnership agreements into high-quality programs, in coordination with faculty and staff, ensuring alignment with agreed-upon scope and outcomes.

This position reports to the Assistant Vice Provost for Academic Innovation and Lifetime Learning. "This position works in close partnership with the Director of Strategic Partnerships to ensure seamless continuity between partnership development and program implementation. Each role maintains distinct responsibilities but shares accountability for the success and sustainability of external-facing programs

Core Competencies:

1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers and the community we serve.  Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
2. Upholds the Mission Statement:  At Aurora University, our singular goal is to empower students to achieve lasting personal and professional success. We do this by being an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and purposeful lives.
3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned, including voluntary participation in university committees, activities and events.

1. Program Development & Oversight
   • Design, implement, and manage non-credit, workforce, summer, K-12, and senior programs in collaboration with faculty, staff, and community subject matter experts.
   • Coordinate academic and administrative resources to support high-quality program delivery.
   • Ensure program alignment with strategic institutional priorities, community workforce needs, and available institutional resources.
   • Track enrollment, gather participant feedback, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate program effectiveness.
   • Monitor program budgets and performance to ensure sustainability and alignment with institutional financial goals.
     
2. Cross-Functional Coordination
   • Collaborate with deans, faculty, subject matter experts, student services, and administrative offices to support smooth and timely program delivery.
   • Collaborate with the Director of Strategic Partnerships to ensure program execution reflects the intent of the agreement, without initiating new partnership development independently.
   • Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to promote programs, ensure consistent branding, and reach target audiences.
3. Operational Logistics & Billing
   • Manage all logistics related to program delivery, including scheduling, facilities, materials, staffing, and event planning.
   • Oversee registration, billing, and financial tracking in collaboration with Business Affairs and the Registrar's Office.
   • Ensure compliance with institutional and regulatory policies, particularly regarding external and youth programming.
4. Partnership Support & Communication
   • Act as the primary point of contact for external partners during program implementation, coordinating with the Director for strategic alignment or escalated concerns. Coordinate communications, manage scheduling, and maintain and share with Director of Strategic Partnerships accurate records of partner engagement and participation data .
   • Support the cultivation and retention of external partnerships through responsive service and consistent follow-up.

Education:

• Required: Bachelor's degree required
• Preferred: Master's degree in relevant field.

Experience:

Required:

• 3-5 years of experience in program coordination, continuing education, workforce development, or community engagement.
• Demonstrated experience managing logistics, budgets, and operations for educational or training programs.

Preferred:

• Experience working with K-12 schools, community organizations, or workforce development agencies.
• Familiarity with higher education operations including scheduling, program assessment, and reporting.

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About Aurora University

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff. AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work. We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a se...nsitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

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