Position Summary:
The Skilled Trades Program Manager is responsible for coordinating the development, implementation, and daily operations of Salem University's skilled trades certificate and diploma programs. This position supports the University's commitment to providing accessible, career-focused education that prepares students for employment, industry-recognized credentials, and continued educational opportunities. The Program Manager provides operational coordination across program scheduling, instructional resources, instructor engagement, student success initiatives, workforce partnerships, and continuous improvement activities. The position works collaboratively with the Office of the Provost, designated academic leadership, faculty, Admissions, Academic Advising, the Registrar, Institutional Effectiveness, Information Technology, Marketing, and other University departments to support effective program delivery. The position also supports the development and implementation of innovative instructional approaches, including hands-on training, competency-based learning, simulation, augmented reality, virtual reality, and other appropriate educational technologies. The Skilled Trades Program Manager serves in an operational and program coordination capacity. Final academic oversight and authority remain with the Office of the Provost and designated academic leadership, including responsibility for academic standards, curriculum approval, faculty qualifications, accreditation requirements, and academic policy decisions. Success in this position requires strong organizational skills, technical or workforce education experience, effective collaboration, operational accountability, and a commitment to student achievement and workforce readiness. Essential Duties and Responsibilities The duties listed below are representative of the responsibilities of this position. Additional duties may be assigned based on departmental or institutional needs. Program Coordination & Operations
- Coordinate daily operations of Salem University's skilled trades certificate and diploma programs.
- Support the development, implementation, and launch of approved workforce-focused certificate and diploma offerings.
- Coordinate course schedules, instructional resources, faculty assignments, training activities, and program delivery across approved instructional modalities.
- Collaborate with academic leadership to support curriculum consistency, instructional quality, and alignment with established program outcomes.
- Maintain organized program schedules, instructional documentation, operational procedures, and related records.
- Monitor enrollment, student progression, course completion, credential attainment, and other established program performance indicators.
- Identify operational challenges and recommend improvements to strengthen program efficiency, effectiveness, and student success.
- Coordinate program resources and operational requirements to support timely and consistent instructional delivery.
- Communicate program needs, operational concerns, and recommendations to designated academic leadership.
- Support implementation of approved program changes and institutional initiatives.
Curriculum Development & Instructional Innovation
- Collaborate with faculty, academic leadership, and industry partners to support the development and continuous improvement of workforce-aligned curricula.
- Assist in identifying technical competencies, practical skills, occupational standards, and industry expectations relevant to skilled trades education.
- Support the integration of appropriate instructional technologies, including simulation, augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and digital learning platforms.
- Coordinate opportunities to incorporate industry-recognized certifications, micro-credentials, and competency-based learning experiences into approved academic programs.
- Support the development of hands-on instructional activities, practical assessments, technical demonstrations, and industry-relevant learning experiences.
- Research workforce trends, emerging technologies, and evolving industry standards to identify opportunities for program enhancement.
- Provide recommendations regarding instructional resources, equipment, technologies, and training methodologies.
- Collaborate with academic leadership to evaluate proposed program improvements and new credential opportunities.
- Ensure proposed curriculum changes and instructional innovations are submitted through established University academic review and approval processes.
- Support implementation of approved curriculum and instructional improvements.
Faculty & Instructor Coordination
- Assist with identifying and recruiting qualified industry instructors, faculty, and technical training professionals.
- Coordinate instructor onboarding, scheduling, instructional resources, and program-related communication.
- Provide operational support to instructors regarding course schedules, training resources, program procedures, and established University expectations.
- Collaborate with designated academic leadership to support instructional quality and consistent program delivery.
- Provide operational feedback regarding instructor needs, scheduling concerns, training requirements, and professional-development opportunities.
- Support instructors and on-site proctors in coordinating student learning activities and required technical competencies.
- Promote effective communication among instructors, academic leadership, and student support departments.
- Coordinate instructional resources and equipment necessary for effective program delivery.
- Refer faculty performance, academic evaluation, instructional compliance, and related academic matters to designated academic leadership.
- Support the implementation of approved instructional standards and faculty development initiatives.
Student Success & Academic Support
- Collaborate with Academic Advising, Student Success, faculty, and program leadership to support student retention, persistence, and credential completion.
- Monitor student progression, attendance, academic engagement, and completion outcomes to identify potential barriers to student success.
- Coordinate appropriate interventions and referrals for students experiencing academic or operational challenges.
- Assist students in understanding program expectations, technical competency requirements, course sequencing, and available University resources.
- Support career readiness activities, including preparation for industry-recognized certifications and employment opportunities.
- Collaborate with the Registrar and designated academic leadership regarding academic planning, credit evaluations, and individualized learning plans when applicable.
- Support timely resolution of student concerns through established University communication and academic leadership channels.
- Coordinate communication regarding program schedules, instructional requirements, and student participation expectations.
- Identify opportunities to improve student engagement, persistence, and program completion.
- Maintain appropriate confidentiality of student information and comply with applicable University policies and FERPA requirements.
Workforce Development & Industry Partnerships
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with employers, workforce development organizations, trade associations, and industry professionals.
- Support partnerships that enhance student training, employment pathways, industry certifications, and workforce development opportunities.
- Collaborate with industry partners to identify emerging workforce needs and recommend relevant certificate and diploma offerings.
- Support opportunities for apprenticeships, internships, employer-sponsored training, and work-based learning experiences when appropriate.
- Assist with identifying potential grant opportunities, industry sponsorships, equipment partnerships, and workforce development resources.
- Collaborate with Admissions and Marketing to support accurate program representation, student recruitment, and awareness of career opportunities.
- Promote Salem University's skilled trades programs through professional relationships, industry engagement, and community partnerships.
- Gather employer feedback regarding workforce competencies, technical skills, and training expectations.
- Communicate industry trends and potential program opportunities to academic leadership.
- Coordinate approved partnership activities in collaboration with appropriate University departments.
Program Assessment, Accreditation & Regulatory Support
- Support institutional assessment, program review, and continuous improvement processes for skilled trades certificate and diploma programs.
- Coordinate the collection and organization of data related to student learning outcomes, enrollment, retention, completion, credential attainment, and workforce outcomes.
- Collaborate with Institutional Effectiveness and academic leadership to support accurate program reporting and assessment activities.
- Assist designated academic leadership and Regulatory Affairs with documentation required for institutional accreditation, state authorization, and applicable regulatory reporting.
- Maintain organized documentation supporting program effectiveness, instructional quality, and continuous improvement.
- Support compliance with approved University policies, instructional standards, and program requirements.
- Collaborate with academic leadership to ensure program descriptions, instructional activities, and industry credential representations accurately reflect approved program expectations.
- Identify potential compliance concerns and communicate them promptly to the Office of the Provost and appropriate University personnel.
- Support implementation of approved corrective actions and program improvement initiatives.
- Participate in program review, assessment, and compliance activities as assigned.
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Communication
- Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Admissions, Academic Advising, Student Success, Registrar, Institutional Effectiveness, Information Technology, Marketing, and other University departments.
- Coordinate operational requirements necessary to support program development and delivery.
- Communicate program updates, scheduling changes, resource needs, and operational concerns to appropriate stakeholders.
- Participate in program planning meetings and cross-functional initiatives.
- Provide timely updates regarding program performance, implementation progress, and operational challenges.
- Support effective communication among faculty, instructors, students, academic leadership, and administrative departments.
- Identify opportunities to improve coordination and operational processes across departments.
- Escalate matters requiring academic, regulatory, financial, or institutional approval through established University channels.
Program Performance & Continuous Improvement
- Monitor established program performance indicators and operational objectives.
- Review enrollment trends, course completion, student persistence, credential attainment, and other available program outcomes.
- Identify operational barriers affecting program delivery and student success.
- Recommend process improvements to strengthen program effectiveness and efficiency.
- Support the implementation of approved improvements and monitor progress toward established objectives.
- Maintain accurate records and provide periodic operational reports to designated leadership.
- Utilize available data and stakeholder feedback to support informed recommendations.
- Contribute to the University's workforce education initiatives and institutional growth objectives.
Professional & University Responsibilities
- Represent Salem University's mission, values, and institutional priorities professionally.
- Maintain appropriate professional relationships with students, faculty, staff, employers, and community partners.
- Exercise sound judgment and accountability in coordinating assigned program responsibilities.
- Maintain confidentiality of student, employee, institutional, and partnership information.
- Follow applicable University policies, procedures, and professional standards.
- Participate in required meetings, professional-development activities, and institutional initiatives.
- Maintain awareness of developments in skilled trades education, workforce development, and instructional technology.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Academic Oversight & Institutional Accountability The Skilled Trades Program Manager serves in a program coordination and operational management capacity under the direction of the Office of the Provost and designated academic leadership. While the position supports curriculum development, instructor coordination, program assessment, and regulatory documentation, final academic authority remains with the Office of the Provost and designated academic leadership.
The Program Manager does not independently:
- Approve academic curricula or modifications to established academic programs.
- Establish or modify faculty qualification standards.
- Make final academic policy determinations.
- Approve academic assessments or grading decisions reserved for faculty or academic leadership.
- Authorize changes requiring institutional, accreditation, or regulatory approval.
- Commit the University to new academic programs, credentials, or instructional requirements without appropriate authorization.
All program development, curriculum modifications, instructional requirements, and academic decisions must follow Salem University's established governance and approval processes.
Minimum Qualifications
- Associate degree in a relevant field or an institutionally approved equivalent combination of technical training, recognized industry credentials, and progressively responsible professional experience.
- Approximately three to five years of related experience in skilled trades, technical education, workforce development, industrial operations, construction, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience coordinating programs, projects, training activities, or operational processes.
- Working knowledge of skilled trades practices, industry competencies, workforce development trends, and career-focused education.
- Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with instructors, academic leadership, employers, and cross-functional teams.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate resources, and meet established deadlines.
- Demonstrated commitment to student success, workforce readiness, professional accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Ability to work within established academic policies, accreditation requirements, and institutional procedures.
- Demonstrated commitment to maintaining accurate program documentation and supporting data-informed decision-making.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Construction Technology, Business, Workforce Development, Education, or a closely related field.
- Recognized trade certification, technical credential, or journeyperson license in a relevant skilled trades discipline.
- Experience teaching, training, or supporting adult learners in higher education, technical education, apprenticeship, or workforce development environments.
- Experience coordinating certificate, diploma, technical training, or industry credential programs.
- Previous experience working with community colleges, universities, technical schools, workforce organizations, or employer-sponsored training programs.
- Experience developing or supporting workforce-aligned curricula, competency-based learning, and industry-recognized certifications.
- Familiarity with instructional technologies, including simulation, augmented reality, virtual reality, digital learning platforms, or artificial intelligence.
- Experience developing employer partnerships, apprenticeship opportunities, or industry training collaborations.
- Understanding of institutional accreditation, academic assessment, and higher education regulatory requirements.
Physical Requirements The physical demands described below are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
- Ability to perform work involving regular computer use, written communication, and electronic record management.
- Ability to attend meetings, instructional activities, program events, and industry engagement opportunities.
- Ability to move between classrooms, laboratories, training spaces, and other assigned University facilities as needed.
- Ability to observe instructional activities and technical training environments.
- Ability to communicate effectively with students, instructors, faculty, employers, and University personnel.
- Ability to perform duties in office, classroom, laboratory, and other approved training environments.
- Ability to travel to employer or workforce development meetings when required by assigned responsibilities.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Work Environment The position operates within an academic and workforce education environment and may involve work in administrative offices, classrooms, technical training laboratories, instructional facilities, and employer or community partner locations. The position may require coordination across multiple University departments and instructional environments. Depending on assigned programs, the employee may encounter equipment, tools, machinery, and other materials associated with skilled trades instruction. Applicable safety procedures and required protective equipment must be followed when entering or working within designated training areas. Work schedules and travel expectations will be determined by operational requirements and the approved position arrangement.
Equal Employment Opportunity Salem University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
Job Description Disclaimer This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Salem University reserves the right to modify responsibilities as institutional needs evolve.