Academic Programs Manager

About This Role

K-State Olathe is seeking a Academic Programs Manager who will be responsible for the coordination and oversight of academic administrative functions at K-State Olathe. This role ensures the accurate and timely implementation of course schedules, supports curriculum development and approval processes, manages adjunct faculty, logistics and contributes to broader operational planning and data-driven improvements in academic services.

Reporting to the Associate Dean of Faculty, Research and Administration, the Academic Programs Manager works closely with faculty, program leaders, and academic units at the Olathe campus as well as stakeholders from the Manhattan and Salina campuses. The Academic Programs Manager serves as a key liaison to the Office of the Registrar, ensuring compliance with university policies and procedures and fostering communication and collaboration across academic operations.

Course Scheduling Coordination

• Collaborate with Olathe faculty and academic leadership to develop, maintain, and update course schedules for all academic terms, providing oversight for established schedules and independently managing conflicts and changes.
• Coordinate with Manhattan and Salina departments offering courses at Olathe to ensure scheduling accuracy, resource alignment, and compliance with university standards.
• Communicate schedule updates and deadlines, ensuring data is entered correctly into appropriate systems and platforms.
• Establish and maintain internal processes to ensure adherence to university deadlines.

Curriculum Management, Development and Approval Management

• Manage the course and curriculum process to include the preparation and submission of course and program proposals, modifications, and discontinuations.
• Advise faculty and departments on curriculum policies and approval processes, interpreting guidelines as needed. Review proposals, interpret changes and advise faculty and program leaders on any issues.
• Monitor the curriculum workflow to ensure proposals progress efficiently through the university approval structure.
• Coordinate with the associate dean, Office of the Registrar and curriculum committees to maintain accuracy and compliance in curricular documentation.

Adjunct Faculty Coordination

• Develop and maintain a system for establishing and managing an adjunct faculty pool.
• Coordinate adjunct hiring plans based on course offerings and term schedules.
• Liaise with Human Resources (HR) and academic units to ensure timely hiring, onboarding, and documentation of adjunct faculty.
• Ensure compliance with university hiring policies and coordinate with program leaders in supporting adjunct faculty needs including on-boarding communication and institutional expectations.

Administrative Coordination and Data Management and Reporting

• Track enrollment, update degree plans and track progress toward completion.
• Perform administrative duties to support academic operations, including data entry and document management.
• Collect and analyze data and prepare reports and projections to support academic program planning and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with leadership to prepare stakeholder reports, meeting materials, and communication related to academic planning.
• Serve as a liaison between stakeholder groups to ensure efficient programmatic support and effective communications.
• Identify areas for process improvement within academic operations; recommend and implement improvements. 
• Other administrative tasks as defined by the K-State Olathe Associate Dean and/or the Dean.

About Us

Kansas State University launched the Olathe campus in April 2011, as the third and newest campus of Kansas State University. K-State Olathe is in Johnson County, Kan., which is part of the Greater Kansas City metro area. The campus embodies a unique vision jointly developed with regional community, government, industry, and university stakeholders for higher education partnership in an urban, innovative, industry centric and knowledge-based environment.

The campus is a strategic partner of the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle, which provides dedicated funding through a 1/8-cent sales tax to K-State Olathe and two other educational and research partners. The region has a diversity of industries ranging from trade, transportation, utilities, professional and business services, and health and education. Major companies include Garmin, Merck, John Deere, Burns and McDonnell, and Black & Veatch. In addition, the Olathe campus sits in the middle of the Animal Health Corridor, which stretches from Manhattan, Kan., to Columbia, Mo., and has the highest concentration of animal health and food companies in the world. The $1.2 billion National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF) is finishing construction and commissioning at the Manhattan campus adjacent to the K-State Biosecurity Research Institute (BRI), which will further strengthen partnerships, regional growth and economic development.

The Olathe campus has a mandate in research and education and currently offers programs at the master’s and doctoral levels in urban foods - horticulture, veterinary biomedical sciences, adult education, school counseling and more. Growth of educational offerings at the campus will continue to evolve to meet workforce and industry demands through a variety of credit and non-credit bearing programs that address technical as well as transferable skills. Faculty and instructors at K-State Olathe represent a combination of resident and non-resident, full and part-time experts, and adjuncts from the industry/government sectors. There also are 10 laboratories in research areas currently ranging from food sciences to post-harvest physiology of fruits/vegetables.

Worksite Description

This position is Hybrid eligible. 

Work is performed partially remote and partially on employer premises or designated assignment location. This role is expected to work on-site approximately three (3) days a week. Remote work is granted at the discretion of the direct supervisor. Additional details about potential hybrid work in this role can be discussed during interviews.

An employee who is working remotely must reside within the United States in order to comply with all federal and state laws, filings, or tax requirements. Remote work agreements are required for all flexible work arrangements and are subject to review.  Review K-State’s remote work policy details for more information.

What You'll Need to Succeed

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor's degree and three years of relevant experience. This position may use an educational equivalency as determined relevant by a hiring manager.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in a related field
• Experience using curriculum management systems and student information systems.
• Familiarity with academic policies and procedures for course scheduling and/or curriculum development.
• Experience with supporting Human Resources (HR) hiring processes and coordination for academic affairs.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, effective decision-making, and adaptability, paired with an innovative mindset to enhance efficiency.
• Exercises a high level of discretion in managing confidential and sensitive information.
• Detail-oriented with strong collaboration skills; able to work cross-functionally with stakeholders and independently with minimal supervision.
   

Additional licenses / registrations / certifications:

• Project Management Certification preferred.

How to Apply

Please submit the following documents:

• A letter of interest
• Resume
• Contact information for three current professional references

Application materials must be submitted online to be considered: https://careers.k-state.edu/

For questions regarding the position, contact Kim Voight, Director of Student Services and search committee chair at kvoight@ksu.edu. For questions regarding the recruitment process, please contact Roberta Robinson, Human Resources Manager at robertar@ksu.edu (913.307.7316).

Application Window

Applications close on: September 12, 2025

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range

$55,000 - $65,000