Senior Program Director, Custom Programs - Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University

Job Summary:
The Senior Program Director, Custom Programs, represents the Kellogg School of Management globally in working with senior executives in the design and delivery of Kellogg Executive Education Programs. This position is the primary interface with corporate clients working with C-suite executives from a variety of corporate clients.  This position is responsible for the design and implementation of premier customized learning initiatives for corporate clients and other organizations.

To achieve this, the Senior Program Director, Custom Programs will work collaboratively with senior faculty, coaches, program managers and other Executive Education professionals in the planning, development, execution, and evaluation of Kellogg’s professional development programs.  In this role, the Senior Director, Executive Programs is expected to have business acumen, executive presence, as well as consultative and strategic thinking skills.

Please note: Occasional evenings and weekends required.  Some travel is required.

Specific Responsibilities:
Program Design and Development

• Simultaneously leads multiple client engagement & service teams on a per program basis, including direct mentoring and leadership for the Associate Program Directors.
• Serve as the senior-most interface with (external) corporate clients for the development and delivery of custom learning programs; collaborate with C-suite executives in client organizations conducting in-depth needs assessments, identifying program objectives, and overseeing program design and execution.
• Oversee the work of Associate Program Directors, including contributing to their professional development and work content by advising on program design, client interaction, leadership skills, and providing coaching and feedback as needed
• Lead a team of faculty, coaches, Program Managers, and other Executive Education administrators – to identify, define, and unify program designs and overall professional development architectures, including program scheduling.
• Coordinate with the Executive Education Corporate Partnership teams to understand client organizations and their executive development needs and identify learning solutions strategies.
• Provide guidance in the selection of cases and other program materials.
• Oversee program planning and architecture, including managing complex program designs, varied stakeholder interests, and conflicting stakeholder priorities.
• Collaborate with Managing Director of Executive Education on final curriculum and matters related to program planning, development, execution, and evaluation.

Program Delivery

• Oversee all aspects of program delivery, both onsite and offsite, including direct supervision of Associate Program Directors assigned to each program.
• Serve as senior executive leader for learning events whether onsite, offsite, or leading online program communities, including highlighting points of importance in schedule (i.e., cases, events, guest speaker, etc.) and participating in program activities such as meals, special outings, and corporate visits.
• Communicate program objectives to C-suite and senior executives.
• Responsible for ensuring program continuity and satisfactory customer experience through engagement with participants.
• Communicate with senior Kellogg faculty for ongoing or midstream adjustments to seminar content.
• Assure faculty preparation for program specific matters, such as participant profiles, learning priorities, and providing guidance for any necessary presentation modifications.
• Lead complex teams to create best in class program delivery, including working with external conference centers, hotels, IT services and online or web-based resources to assure seamless end-to-end experience for offsite programs.

Post Program

• Gather and analyze program evaluations and feedback, including identifying methodologies for determining the ROI of professional development initiatives.
• Debrief and share feedback with faculty and Senior Director of Executive Education on programs in order to identify areas of potential improvement.
• Identify modifications of content, format, and faculty to enhance future sessions.

Program Innovation

• Research and assess external executive development resources such as coaches, speakers, learning technologies, assessments, and tools.

Miscellaneous

• Other duties as assigned including supervisory oversight of administrative work and budgeting all phases of program development and delivery.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.
• 10 – 12 years of relevant work experience.
• Considerable experience in consulting, executive and management development, or related fields.
• Leadership experience, relationship management experience, budgeting experience, and managing complex teams or equivalent experience.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, strong executive presence, and ability to communicate effectively with professionals ranging from C-suite executives to frontline managers.
• Skilled in analytical thinking, problem solving, decision-making, organization, presentation, and customer service.
• Ability to design, develop, and oversee delivery of educational programs.
• Strong ability to collaborate with a cross-functional team and encourage cooperation from divergent stakeholders including C-suite executives, corporate clients and senior, tenured faculty.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Detail oriented.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience training and developing in corporate environment and/or higher education.
• Experience developing curriculum in corporate environment and/or higher education.
• Experience in cross-cultural work environments.
• PhD or the equivalent combination of education, training and experience from which comparable skills can be acquired.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! 

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles. We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. 

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at 
Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.
Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.