Program Manager - Executive Programs and Strategic Accounts

$37.31 - $44.79 per hour; Compensation will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role and internal equity

The Program Manager provides independent leadership for assigned executive education programs and strategic client accounts at the Leavey Executive Center (LEC). Reporting to the Executive Director, this individual coordinates program design, enrollment, and delivery, strengthens relationships with corporate and institutional partners, and advances business development within assigned accounts.

As a key member of the LEC team, the Program Manager translates client needs into well-executed learning experiences and opportunities for repeat and expanded engagement. The role works closely with industry senior executives, faculty, University leadership, and internal partners; supervises student interns; and contributes to field and digital marketing. This position will help build the account relationships, delivery practices, and growth pipeline that support the Center’s development over the next three to five years.

B. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

• Serve as the primary relationship manager for assigned key accounts, maintaining regular contact with executive sponsors, human resources and learning leaders, and other decision makers.
• Develop account plans that identify stakeholder relationships, client priorities, current engagements, and opportunities for renewal or expansion.
• Lead discovery conversations to understand business challenges and learning needs; identify opportunities for additional programs, new audiences, and introductions to other business units.
• Partner with the Executive Director and faculty to design and develop relevant program concepts, proposals, presentations, and scopes of work; coordinate pricing and contracting through established approval processes.
• Advance opportunities from initial conversation through proposal and handoff to delivery, maintaining timely follow-up and clear next steps.
• Maintain accurate CRM records and provide regular account and pipeline updates, including opportunity stage, estimated value, expected timing, risks, and recommended actions.

• Manage assigned programs from design and enrollment through launch, execution, evaluation, and follow-up, with accountability for agreed scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Collaborate with faculty, instructors, and clients on learning objectives, program structure, delivery format, and content, aligning program design with audience needs and faculty expertise.
• Plan and coordinate enrollment for assigned programs, including inquiry follow-up, recruitment communications, registration, and roster management. For client-sponsored cohorts, coordinate participant nominations and enrollment with account contacts.
• Coordinate instructors, faculty, facilitators, client representatives, administrative staff across University departments, vendors, and interns to deliver a consistent, professional participant experience.
• Prepare project plans, agendas, participant communications, learning materials, and executive briefings; ensure materials are accurate, accessible, and ready on schedule.
• Oversee program logistics, including facilities, catering, technology, and on-site or virtual execution support. Coordinate learner onboarding, readiness communications, and timely responses to participant questions; refer academic or specialized needs to the appropriate faculty or University office.
• Track program expenses and performance against approved budgets; coordinate with finance colleagues on purchasing, invoicing, and reconciliation.
• Monitor enrollment against targets and summarize participant engagement, completion, and feedback where applicable. Lead post-program reviews, address service issues, and recommend improvements to learner experience and follow-on engagement.

• Support account-focused marketing and outreach in coordination with the Executive Director, LEC colleagues, and relevant University marketing teams.
• Plan and execute selected executive events, roundtables, client briefings, webinars, and campus visits that deepen account relationships and generate qualified conversations.
• Prepare and adapt proposals, program briefs, presentations, email campaigns, social media content, and basic promotional creatives using approved brand standards. Gather, organize, and edit content for newsletters and other marketing communications; coordinate contributions, review, and publication with relevant colleagues.
• Coordinate digital campaign execution, content calendars, website updates, and audience segmentation with appropriate colleagues.
• Track event engagement, campaign responses, and resulting opportunities; ensure timely follow-up and recommend improvements based on results.

• Recruit, onboard, train, and supervise assigned student interns in accordance with University practices.
• Set clear assignments, deadlines, and quality expectations; review work, provide feedback, and ensure completion of deliverables.
• Delegate research, marketing, reporting, and program support tasks appropriately while retaining accountability for quality and client commitments.
• Develop reusable templates, scalable workflows, and tools for enrollment, delivery, marketing, and reporting. Contribute business requirements, user testing, feedback, and team training for improvements to CRM, registration, and marketing automation systems; perform other related duties as assigned.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

C. PROVIDES WORK DIRECTION

• Student Interns

D. RECEIVES WORK DIRECTION FROM

• Executive Director

E. GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Operates independently within agreed priorities, approved budgets, University policies, and delegated authority; exercises sound judgment and follows through on commitments.
• Keeps the Executive Director informed of progress, account developments, budget variances, and risks; escalates decisions requiring additional authority.
• Establishes milestones and prepares regular reports covering program delivery, account activity, business development, marketing results, and intern deliverables.
• Maintains the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, and confidentiality of client, participant, financial, and University information.
• Builds cooperative working relationships across a diverse community and supports the University’s mission and inclusive learning environment.
• Evaluates effectiveness through on-time delivery, budget performance, enrollment results, inquiry conversion where applicable, learner engagement and completion, client and participant satisfaction, account retention and expansion, and team execution. Specific goals will be established with the Executive Director.

F. QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities, education, and experience required.

This position requires the ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships within a diverse, multicultural, and mission-driven university environment.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of program and project management, client relationship management, and consultative business development.
• Understanding of field and digital marketing practices, including executive events, email outreach, social content, and campaign measurement.
• Working knowledge of budgeting, performance reporting, CRM practices, and professional document preparation.

Skills

• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to prepare polished proposals, executive summaries, presentations, client communications, and newsletter and marketing.
• Professional confidence and credibility in conversations with senior executives, faculty, and University leaders.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and proficiency with productivity tools such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, CRM platforms, and project management tools.
• Ability to create and adapt basic marketing visuals using tools such as Canva or Adobe Express, and coordinate more complex creative work with specialists.

Abilities

• Ability to manage multiple accounts and programs independently, prioritize competing demands, and deliver work against clear deadlines.
• Ability to ask effective discovery questions, connect client needs with relevant offerings, and move conversations toward actionable opportunities.
• Ability to work effectively with instructors, faculty, executives, and administrative staff across University departments; navigate differing priorities and resolve problems with discretion.
• Ability to supervise and develop interns, delegate effectively, and maintain accountability for team output.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communications, education, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience; 
• 2 years relevant experience required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, and all other applicable laws, SCU provides reasonable accommodations for qualified persons with disabilities. A qualified individual is a person who meets skill, experience, education, or other requirements of the position, and who can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer terminal.
• May be required to travel to other buildings on the campus.
• May be required to attend conference and training sessions within Bay Area or in- or out-of-state locations.
• May be required to occasionally travel to outside customers, vendors or suppliers.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described below are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• Typical office environment.
• Mostly indoor office environment with windows.
• Offices with equipment noise.
• Offices with frequent interruptions.

Telecommute

Santa Clara University is registered to do business in the following states: California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, and Illinois. Employees approved to telecommute are required to perform their work within one of these states.

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Santa Clara University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, parental status, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision making, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.  For a complete copy of Santa Clara University’s equal opportunity and nondiscrimination policies, please visit the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX website at  https://www.scu.edu/title-ix/. 

Clery Notice of Availability

Santa Clara University annually collects information about campus crimes and other reportable incidents in accordance with the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. To view the Santa Clara University report, please visit the Campus Safety Services website. To request a paper copy please call Campus Safety at (408) 554-4441. The report includes the type of crime, venue, and number of occurrences.

Americans with Disabilities Act

Consistent with its obligations under the law, Santa Clara University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.  Applicants who wish to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the Department of Human Resources ADA Team at [email protected] or by phone at (408)554-4392. Please note: This contact information is intended for accommodation requests only. Resumes or inquiries about application status sent to this inbox will not be reviewed or forwarded. For resumes or questions regarding application status, please contact [email protected].