PAY GRADE: 30E

LOCATION: in-person Lewes, Delaware    

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The Manager oversees the day-to-day operations and provides leadership for the staff in support of the volunteer-driven programs and activities  of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in Kent and Sussex Counties. Serves as principal local liaison with the Kent-Sussex Council of OLLI which is one of two OLLIs at the University of Delaware along with the OLLI Wilmington Council. OLLI is a financially self-supporting institute within the University of Delawares Division of Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS) and the Graduate College. OLLI in Kent and Sussex Counties provides in-person and online lifelong learning courses and programming for the educational, cultural, and intellectual benefit of roughly 500 members aged 50 plus with an average age of 73.

OLLI in Kent and Sussex operates at three sites, Dover, Lewes, and Ocean View. The Manager has four principal areas of responsibility:

• 1) Managing operations, finances, and staff
• 2) Overseeing the development and delivery of programs and courses
• 3) Collaborating with University partners for donor relations and development
• 4) Cultivating mutually beneficial relationships with local community organizations.

In the first area of responsibility, the Program Manager serves as the principal UD point of contact with the OLLI Council in Kent and Sussex Counties, working collaboratively with the council and Statewide Director on budget, programmatic, and strategic matters To achieve this goal, the Manager supervises a team of a least one (1) FTE and up to six (6) part-time staff across the three sites in the two counties.

In the second area of responsibility, the Program Manager oversees the development and delivery of lifelong learning courses in a range of topics and modalities taught by volunteer instructors. Programs serve the needs of geographically dispersed OLLI members in Kent and Sussex Counties. The Program Manager works in close collaboration with other Program Managers, Coordinators, Graduate College MARCOMM, and OLLI staff statewide.

In the third area of responsibility, the Program Manager identifies and cultivates relationships with members and prospective OLLI donors and community sponsors as part of the OLLI Kent and Sussex’s on-going fundraising efforts. The Program Manager works in collaboration UD Development and Alumni Relations (DAR), Kent and Sussex Council, OLLI Wilmington, and the Statewide Director  in this effort.

In the fourth area of responsibility, the Program Manager develops and maintains mutually beneficial relationships with local community organizations, private companies, homeowners’ associations, local government, and UD, to increase awareness and share resources, increase membership from Kent and Sussex counties and support UD and local partners in serving the 50+ population and local community.

The Program Manager reports to the Statewide Director of OLLI.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the daily administration and operations of OLLI in Kent and Sussex Counties.
• Act as the principal staff liaison to OLL Kent Sussex Council.
• Empower OLLI members to propose and develop lifelong learning courses.
• Provide and model a high level of customer service to OLLI members.
• Oversee a team of full-time  and part-time employees across locations in Kent and Sussex Counties.
• Work collaboratively with the statewide staff on the use of shared administrative services for OLLI members in both locations, including marketing, registration, financial processing, member communications etc.
• Prepare the annual operating budget and fiscal reports for the institute with the Council Finance Chair with a total operating budget of $500k. 
• Manage spending of gift, endowment, equipment, and reserve funds, working in coordination with the Council Finance Chair, Statewide Director, and the Business Officer of the Graduate College/PCS.
• Identify and cultivate relationships with OLLI donors as part of OLLI fundraising efforts, working in coordination with the Kent Sussex Council, Statewide Director, and UD Development and Alumni Relations (DAR).
• Develop partnerships with UD departments and organizations in Kent and Sussex Counties to benefit OLLI programming  Oversee the rental facilities that OLLI uses in both counties, working with the landlords, the Statewide Director, UD Facilities, and the Graduate College Business Officer to ensure a safe, ADA compliant environment for adult learners aged 50+ years.
• Develop and maintain sound procedures for responding to various emergencies for each location 
• Contribute to strategic planning efforts to grow OLLI in Kent and Sussex Counties in terms of new members, new programs, and new locations.
• Be knowledgeable about trends in lifelong learning, in various modalities.
• Participate in professional development opportunities. 
• Perform other job-related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree required, in education, educational gerontology, non-profit management or related area, and five years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• Proven organizational and project management skills.
• Experience in creating and managing operating budgets.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with a high degree of experience in situations calling for tact, discretion and consensus building among UD, OLLI and other stakeholders.
• Ability to independently lead a small team of full and part-time employees and volunteers to problem-solve issues and engage a wide range of constituents in a diverse community.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Demonstrated ability and experience in networking, developing, and maintaining effective collaborative relationships with university and/or non-profit community organizations is preferred.
• Experience working with advisory councils and volunteers in a non-profit and or educational setting is preferred.
• Experience working with adult learners is preferred.
• Experience with online learning and related platforms is preferred.
• Familiarity with project management software (SmartSheet), and customer relationship management (CRM) software is preferred.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid driver’s license, access to a reliable private vehicle, and ability to travel statewide.
• Ability to lift and move up to 30 lbs.