Program Development Manager - Professional And Continuing Education - 12-Month Adjunct

This position is responsible for managing all aspects of an assigned professional and continuing education program line within Grand Valley State University's Center for Adult and Continuing Studies. This role oversees the development, implementation, and growth of educational offerings with an assigned portfolio, ensuring they meet market demand and align with the university's goals.

Salary & Benefits: Minimum starting salary of $50,000, commensurate with experience.

Limited benefits package including medical, life insurance, wellness resources and tuition waiver effective on date of hire.

Primary Duties

Product Management:

• Lead the program development process for assigned program lines, from initial concept through to market launch.
• Manage the lifecycle of each program, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives, timelines, and budget.
• Work with Center for Adult and Continuing Studies leadership to define program vision, strategy, and roadmap.
• Track and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) such as enrollment numbers, revenue, customer satisfaction, and market share.

Market Research & Analysis:

• Conduct market research to identify emerging trends, gaps in offerings, and competitive landscape.
• Gather and analyze data on student needs, feedback, and industry demands to ensure the program line's offerings remain relevant and innovative.
• Use insights from research to make data-driven decisions to enhance current programs and create new educational offerings.

Course Development:

• Work closely with faculty, subject matter experts, and instructional designers to develop high-quality, market-ready courses
• . Oversee course design from ideation to final delivery, ensuring content is engaging, effective, and meets university standards.
• Collaborate with the Operations Team to set up and continuously deliver courses within your portfolio.
• Identify and recruit qualified instructors for courses within your portfolio and provide instructors with ongoing training and support.

Enrollment Growth & Marketing:

• Develop strategies to attract and retain students, focusing on growing enrollments for the assigned program lines.
• Collaborate with marketing teams to create and execute promotional campaigns for the program offerings.
• Monitor and analyze enrollment trends, adjusting marketing efforts and program offerings as needed to meet growth targets.

Project Management:

• Lead cross-functional teams to ensure timely and efficient course creation and program rollouts.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, including instructional designers, marketing, operations, and IT teams to manage the project timelines and milestones.
• Ensure that all program deliverables are met and troubleshoot any issues that may arise during the development and launch phases.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as required/assigned by leadership.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Bachelor's degree in business, education, marketing, or a related field.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.
• Knowledge of the adult education market, continuing education, and workforce development.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Experience with market research and competitive analysis.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Master's degree in higher education, business, marketing, or a related field.
• Three to five (3-5) years of experience in product management, instructional design, or related fields, preferably within higher education or adult learning.
• Familiarity with Learning Management Systems (LMS) and online education technologies.

How to Apply: Attach your cover letter and resume, applications missing required documents will not be considered. The system will allow you to attach these documents electronically. If you have questions about the position or the posting, please contact Adam Downs (downsad@gvsu.edu). If you need technical assistance, please contact Human Resources at hro@gvsu.edu.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Application Deadline: Application review begins Monday February 9, 2026 and this posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Must have the physical stamina to work long hours and/or more than 5 days per week. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended by the ADA Amendment Act (2008), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. GVSU will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. See www.gvsu.edu/equalopportunity/. TDD Callers: Call Michigan Relay Center at 711 (in State) or 1-800-833-7833 (out of State).

Grand Valley State University is an Antidiscrimination/Equal Opportunity Employer, which includes providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. University policy extends protections to additional identities.