About The Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst

The Mount Ida Campus of UMass Amherst in Newton, Mass. serves as a center for student experiential learning and professional development and facilitates connections between the state’s flagship public research university and the business, civic, government, education, and cultural communities in the Greater Boston region, amplifying UMass Amherst’s impact in the Commonwealth.

 

Job Summary

The Program Manager leads the daily operations and student experience of the Career Launch Program on the Mount Ida Campus, a career-focused first-semester initiative for incoming UMass Amherst students. This position supports the development of new pathway programs and coordinates with stakeholders across UWW, Mount Ida, and Amherst to promote student success and seamless transitions.

This position directly supports the strategic goal of expanding access to innovative educational pathways at UMass.

 

Essential Functions

Program Oversight

• Manage all aspects of the Career Launch Program’s day-to-day operations.
• Ensure effective coordination of academic, co-curricular, and student life components.

Student Success

• Facilitate the First-Year Seminar, including curriculum development, instruction, and assessment.
• Provide academic and personal support, assist with goal setting, and refer students to appropriate university services and academic advisors.
• Provides general oversight and supervision of student staff.

Campus Coordination & Transition Support

• Plan and coordinate activities supporting student transition to the Amherst campus, including campus visits and information sessions.
• Serve as a liaison to academic advisors and departments.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with Admissions, Student Affairs, faculty, and staff across Mount Ida and Amherst.
• Promote the program through presentations to prospective students, families, and campus audiences.

Program Development & Assessment

• Support strategic planning for pathway program expansion.
• Develop benchmarks for student persistence, retention, and program satisfaction in collaboration with institutional research.
• Collect, assess, and report data on student success and program outcomes.

Community Engagement

• Coordinate student-facing events including orientations, recreational activities, and alumni panels.

 

Other Functions

• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor’s degree in higher education, counseling, or a related field.
• Over three (3) years of relevant experience in higher education supporting student success.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex programs and make independent decisions.
• Experience supervising staff or students.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Cultural competency and a commitment to serving diverse student populations.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Adherence to University confidentiality and conflict of interest policies.
• Must be able to travel to off-site locations as needed. Access to reliable transportation is required.

 

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in first-year experience, advising, or career development programs.

 

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Full-time on-site presence required at Mount Ida Campus during fall semester (August–December).
• Occasional travel, evening, and weekend work required.
• Typical office environment. Position requires occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds and the ability to travel between locations.

 

Additional Details

• Reports to the Director of Pathway Programs (UWW).
• Dotted-line report to Associate Provost for Mount Ida Campus.
• Supervises up to 2 student staff.

 

Work Schedule

• Typical work schedule: Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm with occasional nights or weekends.
• This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.

 

Salary Information

Level 26

PSU Hiring Ranges

 

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume, and cover letter. References will be checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.

 

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.