Program Manager, Program Pathways

Program Manager, Program Pathways

Position Highlights: The Program Manager, Program Pathways builds and manages strategic partnerships with community colleges, employers and industry partners, workforce development organizations, and K12 school districts to expand access to the University of Arizona's credit and non-credit offerings. The role centers on the learners Arizona Online serves, who are largely adults transferring from community college, currently working, or returning to finish a degree. Success depends on understanding how these learners move through the full path from first inquiry to enrollment, credit transfer, completion, and career advancement, and on knowing where credit and non-credit offerings fit along that path. Working with academic colleges, enrollment management, and non-credit professional studies, the Assistant Director designs articulation agreements and stackable pathways that let learners progress from certificates and associate degrees into bachelor's and graduate programs. The ideal candidate will have experience developing transfer and workforce pathways and will be comfortable contributing ideas, shaping new initiatives, and helping advance both established and emerging efforts while working independently and collaboratively as needed. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement. While many responsibilities may be completed remotely, the role requires weekly on-site presence at the Tucson, Arizona campus to fulfill duties that must be performed in person. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more! The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities

Articulation Agreements and Pathway Development:

• Coordinates the development and ongoing management of articulation agreements, transfer pathways, and academic partnership arrangements.
• Works with academic colleges, faculty, enrollment management, and non-credit professional studies to map pathways that let learners progress from certificates and associate degrees into bachelor's and graduate programs.
• Develops stackable credential models that support degree completion and continued learning across a career.
• Oversees onboarding and support for community campus programs, including the dual and concurrent enrollment offerings that serve high school students, and applies knowledge of K12 and JTED structures where those programs call for it.

Community College Partnerships:

• Leads the development and maintenance of strategic partnerships with community colleges across Arizona and the region.
• Serves as the primary liaison to these institutions, building new relationships and strengthening existing ones to expand transfer access and grow enrollment into University of Arizona credit and non-credit offerings.
• Identifies opportunities for new transfer arrangements and brings forward partnership ideas that advance institutional priorities.

Employer and Workforce Partnerships:

• Leads partnerships with employers, industry associations, and workforce development organizations to identify emerging labor market needs and align University of Arizona offerings to them.
• Develops pathway programs and credentials that respond to those needs and support working learners who are reskilling or advancing in their careers.
• Builds new employer relationships and brings forward program ideas that connect education to employment.

Operational and Compliance Coordination:

• Coordinates implementation of programmatic agreements (e.g., MOUs, articulation agreements), ensuring compliance with university policies, accreditation standards, and state or federal regulations.
• Works with legal, academic, and enrollment teams to maintain up-to-date records and agreements.

Outreach, Communication, and Reporting:

• Represents the university at educational fairs, advisory board meetings, and partner events to promote pathway programs.
• Develops presentations, data summaries, and outcome reports for leadership and stakeholders to support ongoing improvement and demonstrate impact.

Additional Information

Direct supervisory duties possible corresponding to successful outcomes and growth.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to communicate effectively with different groups/individuals. Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and in team environment. Ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities. Knowledge of K-12 and community college systems. Knowledge of academic and workforce needs.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required. Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications

FLSA - Exempt

Full Time/Part Time - Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week - 40

Job FTE - 1.0

Work Calendar - Fiscal

Job Category - Academic Administration

Benefits Eligible - Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay - $75,540-$98,201

Compensation Type - salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade - 10

Compensation Guidance - The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity. The Grade Range represents a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level - PC3

Job Family - Academic Affairs

Job Function - Academic Administration

Type of criminal background check required: - Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies - 1