Director, James Patterson Honors Program

Reporting to the Provost, the Director of the Patterson Honors Program is responsible for overseeing the launch and rollout of this new academic and leadership development initiative at Manhattan University. This innovative program will couple top-level professional development with the rigorous academic experience of a student’s chosen major in order to set graduates on fulfilling and rewarding career paths. The Director will have a proven track record and will lead, manage, and support the design, development, implementation, and administration of all policies, procedures, practices, and activities related to the Patterson Honors Program. Central to the Director’s duties will be recruiting to the Program and advertising the University at high school events, as well as planning a high-profile speaker series on campus, headlined by leading figures in industry. The Director will advise and mentor students, create leadership development and networking opportunities and events, and facilitate internal and external partnerships with campus stakeholders and industry contacts.

Responsibilities include:

• Leading this large-scale new initiative from planning to implementation

• Coordinating with Mr. Patterson and senior leadership on key components of the program

• Attending regional and national admissions recruitment events and high schools to promote the Honors program

• Planning and leading the Patterson Speakers series of high-profile figures with receptions and Honors-only talkbacks

• Planning an annual major networking reception for Honors students, alumni, and campus representatives

• Developing relationships to create pipelines of employers and alumni to engage students across all industry areas

• Creating and implementing a marketing and social media strategy for the program

• Designing and leading regular Patterson Program Leadership and Success Workshops

• Conducting regular program assessment to measure outcomes and KPIs

• Representing the Honors Program in campus-wide initiatives related to retention, mission, and student life to improve the student experience

• Delivering presentations to both external and internal constituencies, including donors

• Ensuring that the Honors Program functions to its highest ability within the operating budget.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree with 6 years of experience required, terminal degree preferred.

• Proven track record of developing and implementing programs and sustaining growth strategies.

• Experience working in higher education or with college-age populations

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills

• Availability to work some evenings and weekends throughout the year

• Knowledge of industry recruiting practices, job search processes, and cross-campus outreach and collaboration experience preferred

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate, manage, implement, and evaluate multiple projects and activities with varied deadlines.

Salary Range: 150k-200k

Manhattan University is an independent Catholic institution in the Lasallian tradition. We expect our faculty, administration, and staff to be knowledgeable about our mission and to make a positive contribution to the mission. Applicants from historically under-represented segments of the population are encouraged to apply, as well as those attracted to a college with a Catholic identity. We are committed to a diverse campus community. AA/EO Employer M/F/D/V