GIS Professional Programs Director

Position Summary:

The UW Madison GIS Professional Programs (GISPP) is looking for a creative, hardworking, and experienced leader who will support the continued growth of our GIS Professional Programs. The successful candidate will have broad knowledge and technical skills in cartography and GIS, established professional networks, and demonstrated leadership. Our ideal candidate will have the experience, skills, and enthusiasm needed to develop an innovative and dynamic workplace and help us continue to build student-focused professional GIS programs and our professional community for years to come. More information about our current program offerings can be found at https://geography.wisc.edu/gis/.

Principal duties:

85% or more of duties:

•  Formulate program strategies and goals, direct long-term planning, develop policies and procedures, and administer new and emerging program materials
• Supervise program employees involved in instructional and marketing/communication support, including: hires, training, course assignments and scheduling, performance assessment and rewards, hourly and leave approval, discipline and discharge.
• Collaborate with faculty members to: develop student academic programs and agendas, execute a department-wide strategy to regularly update conceptual and technical course materials, and identify new opportunities for curricular development.
• Engage with and disseminate new developments in cartography and GIS practice and pedagogy.
• Evaluate operations and outcomes to ensure alignment with organizational goals of teaching effectiveness and student learning as part of annual reporting and intermittent self-study.
• Liase among department and university leadership, instructors, content designers, and other stakeholders.
• Advise GISPP students on academic resources and services related to coursework and career planning. Conduct program exit interviews and reviews graduating MS student final projects/ portfolios.
• Assist with instruction as needed. The Director will not have a teaching assignment in most semesters or summer terms but may teach as needed.

15% or more of duties:

• Approve unit expenditures. Provide guidance to department and/or University leadership regarding financial planning, funding, staffing, and space implications.
• Direct the development and implementation of marketing strategy and recruitment plans in support of program goals. Participate in program promotion and recruitment at conferences and other events.
• Serve on relevant Geography Department committee(s).

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• MS in Geography or a field related to the position
• Minimum number of years of relevant work experience: 3 years (can include relevant teaching and learning experience from graduate school)
• Relevant work experience can include any of the following; broad experience of several kinds listed here is preferred:
  • Experience with foundational concepts, software applications, and programming related to GIS, cartographic design, web and mobile app development, and database design and administration.
  • Industry experience in GIS and/or cartography
  • Experience in GIS/Cartography curriculum and program development
  • Experience leading and supervising teams
  • Experience in higher education teaching and research (can include relevant experience from graduate school)
  • Experience with online and distance learning (can include relevant experience from graduate school)
  • Experience in formal or informal student advising (can include relevant experience from graduate school)