Director of Academic Initiatives

Position Title: Director of Academic Initiatives   Location: Big Rapids (Main Campus)   Department:

31000 - Academic Affairs

  Advertised Salary: $75,000 - $80,000; Salary commensurate with education, experiences, and other requirements.   Benefits:

Comprehensive benefit package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans

  FLSA: Exempt   Temporary/Continuing:  Continuing   Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time   Union Group: N/A   Term of Position: 12 Month   At Will/Just Cause: At Will   Summary of Position: The Director of Academic Initiatives provides leadership in advancing the academic mission of the institution through oversight of high-impact projects tied to academic strategic priorities, including curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, planning, and compliance. Reporting to the Associate Provost for Assessment and Accreditation, the Director drives cross-college collaboration, ensures the effective design, implementation, and evaluation of academic initiatives, and fosters a culture of continuous improvement. This role requires strategic vision, organizational expertise, and the ability to influence and partner with faculty, staff, and administrators at all levels. The anticipated start date for this position is December 2025; however, this is an estimate that may be revised if necessary.   Position Type: Staff   Required Education: Master's degree in business administration, public administration, communications, or related field.   Required Work Experience: • Minimum 3–5 years of experience in administration.
• Demonstrated project coordination or project management experience.   Required Licenses and Certifications:     Physical Demands:

• Office Environment
• Moving
• Reaching
• Sitting
• Repetitive movement

  Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: • Experience with accreditation agencies such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or specialized/professional accreditors.
• Familiarity with academic governance processes, curriculum management systems, or assessment software platforms.
• Knowledge of institutional effectiveness, program review, or strategic planning in a higher education setting.
• Project management certification.   Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Strategic Project Leadership
• Provide leadership for academic projects aligned with institutional strategic priorities, including curriculum, assessment, accreditation, planning, and compliance.
• Oversee the development, implementation, and monitoring of project plans, ensuring alignment with academic policies, accreditation standards, and institutional goals.
• Direct cross-college project teams by establishing priorities, setting timelines, allocating resources, and ensuring timely execution of deliverables.
• Guide and facilitate senior-level meetings, ensuring action items are defined, delegated, and achieved.

Academic Technology and Training Oversight
• Provide strategic direction for the adoption and integration of academic technologies that support teaching, learning, and institutional effectiveness.
• Serve as the primary academic liaison with technology vendors, ensuring sustainable partnerships that advance academic goals.
• Oversee the development and execution of training strategies and resources to support faculty and staff in the effective use of academic technology systems.
• Ensure compliance and fiscal responsibility in technology procurement and contract management.

Curriculum Leadership
• Provide leadership for the university’s curriculum review and approval processes, ensuring efficiency, transparency, and compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards.
• Partner with academic leadership, faculty governance committees, and the Provost’s Office to guide the development of new programs and revisions to existing curricula.
• Oversee the use, enhancement, and continuous improvement of curriculum management systems to support institutional effectiveness.

Assessment, Accreditation, and Institutional Planning
• Lead institution-wide efforts related to regional and programmatic accreditation, including the preparation of self-studies, reports, and evidence portfolios.
• Collaborate with the University Assessment Committee and academic leadership to support assessment priorities, monitor compliance, and advance institutional planning efforts.
• Provide strategic oversight of divisional planning processes, tracking progress toward established goals and ensuring alignment with university-wide initiatives.
Institutional Leadership & Commitment
• Cultivate a culture of belonging and inclusive excellence that values, supports, and celebrates the diversity of students, faculty, and staff.
• Contribute to strategic enrollment and student success initiatives by aligning academic processes with institutional priorities.
• Represent the Associate Provost and Academic Affairs on committees, task forces, and external engagements as needed.
• Perform other leadership responsibilities as assigned within the scope of the position.
• Cultivate an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty, and staff to thrive authentically.
• Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment initiatives.
• Any other duties assigned within the classification area.
• Reports to the Associate Provost for Assessment and Accreditation.   Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: • May supervise student employees.


  Skills and Abilities: • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including experience drafting professional correspondence and reports.
• Design, develop, and deliver effective training tailored to specific audiences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Handle confidential materials.
• Be tactful, professional and courteous at all times.
• Work effectively as a member of a team and demonstrate effective interpersonal skills in working with others.
• Coordinate projects and workflow in an efficient manner.
• Plan, organize, and make sound judgments.
• Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.   Required Documents:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Unofficial Transcript 1

  Optional Documents: Certification   Special Instructions to Applicants: • Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of unofficial transcript of master’s degree in business administration, public administration, communications, or related field. Transcript must include institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript.
• Certification (OPTIONAL): Applicants attach a copy of project management certification (if applicable as described in Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered section).   Initial Application Review Date:
October 31, 2025   Open Until Position is Filled?: Yes   Posting Close Date:
    EEO Statement: Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence.  Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement.     Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD.