The Director of Executive Education will lead an executive education center that offers customized, professional development required for a new generation of diverse leaders who are competent at guiding business, technical, and management operations. Positional priorities will include building and delivering programming that supports and expands a knowledge-based economy that fosters a spirit of innovation and mindset for local, regional, national, and international markets. Programming could include non-credit and credit offerings that vary in frequency and duration and integrate with academic programming in support of and alignment with the Three Pillars of Coastal Operations.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
1. Support the priorities of the University College as it relates to professional credentialing for the Blue Economy workforce with the goal of becoming the premier executive education provider for relevant programming.

2. Create a learning and development unit staffed and resourced for curriculum and training for professional development that will elevate the Blue Economy labor force and continue to develop the talent pool, emphasizing historically underrepresented populations.

3. Engage a broad network of professional contacts to ensure training and development that may include industry leaders, University personnel, subject matter experts, community college partners, and others according to needs to (1) create experiences to tool and retool technical workers and (2) expand leadership development of executive personnel.

4. Create a network of leading professionals to design and implement a portfolio of non-degree executive education experiences, including industry-recognized micro-credentialing, and facilitate the development of career pathways that span from entry-level to advanced levels of employment. Create and cultivate experiences that encourage participants to maintain and build enduring relationships for future programing possibilities.

5. Oversee program design and implementation in partnership through a team of professionals focused on the financial, operational, and administrative aspects of executive education with particular attention to and responsibility for success in both content delivery and program logistics. Recruit and retain subject matter experts to develop and deliver curriculum content. Programming must be relevant and support and align with the Three Pillars of Coastal Operations.

6. Develop proposals, budgets, and marketing materials to promote programmatic growth with the goal of incorporating a self-sustaining model for continued programming.

7. Develop appropriate mechanisms to identify, collect, and maintain relevant data to inform decision-making and develop curriculum/content in the spirit of continuous improvement.

8. Serve as a key strategist for developing and implementing approved methods for developing a portfolio of programming for both in-person and virtual formats.

9. Other duties as assigned.

• Understands higher education and can use industry/professional terminology fluently. Thinks strategically and seeks to align department services and goals with institutional strategic goals. Asks critical questions to delve to root cause to identify solutions. Understands the interconnection of decisions, actions, outcomes, and measures.
• Takes initiative to develop and apply professional knowledge and skills in order to enhance individual effectiveness and improve organizational performance. Creates opportunities to apply new learnings and best practices into innovative solutions that positively impact results. Seeks opportunities for development for both self and the team.

• Leverages professional expertise and University knowledge to assess areas of opportunity, identify solutions and effectively execute the plan. Demonstrates a high level of planning and organizational skills and the ability to move projects forward to completion. Self-motivated and accountable for results. Seeks advice and input from others and recognizes when to escalate issues or seek help.

• Demonstrates the ability to deliver accurate, concise, and quality communication (verbal and written) in a timely manner. Encourages an open exchange of ideas and differing perspectives. Adapts communication style to meet the needs of diverse audiences and situations. Listens to understand others. Provides quality feedback.

• Works to build and manage productive relationships with peers, leaders and customer groups. Effectively engages and interacts with others to collaborate and provide value-added support that enhances department results and team effectiveness. Affects outcomes and direction of customer’s decisions through effective relationships, trust, and credibility.

• Demonstrates an openness and flexibility towards new ideas and concepts and effectively influences or facilitates during times of change. Helps others become more effective through development and coaching. Utilizes candid feedback, knowledge, resources, and opportunities to improve the performance of others and to increase their contributions. Sets clear expectations for performance, provides meaningful feedback, holds employees accountable, and recognizes successes.

About The University of Southern Mississippi
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) is a comprehensive public research institution delivering transformative programs on campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across the Mississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Founded in 1910, USM is one of only 131 universities in the nation to earn the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education's "R1: Doctoral Universities - Very high research activity" designation, and its robust research enterprise includes experts in ocean science and engineering, polymer science and engineering, and large event venue safety and security, among others. USM is also one of only 37 institutions in the nation accredited in theatre, art and design, dance and music. As an economic driver, USM generates an annual economic impact of more than $600 million across the state. USM welcomes a diverse student body of more than 14,000, representing 71 countries, all 50 states, and every county in Mississippi. USM students have collected four Truman Scholarships and 37 National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships, while also leading Mississippi with 27 Goldwater Scholarships, an honor that recognizes the next generation of great research scientists. Home to the Golden Eagles, USM competes in 17 Division I sports sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). For more information, visit www.usm.edu.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.