Program Management

The College of Science is seeking an experienced leader to direct a complex and rapidly expanding experiential learning enterprise at the University of Utah. The Science Research Initiative (SRI) is the College’s signature undergraduate research program that has grown into a large, sophisticated organization poised to provide meaningful hands-on research experiences to all incoming College of Science students in their first year on campus. A recent expansion includes the SRI Career Accelerator Program (SRI-CAP), which provides juniors and seniors with professional and technical skills development and industry connections. In addition to a small number of permanent staff, the program is supported by a team of more than a dozen SRI Fellows, postdocs who lead research streams and support an associated structured course. SRI has grown tremendously since its inception in 2020, with SRI and SRI-CAP currently serving approximately 650 undergraduate students per year. Substantial additional growth is projected. Beyond SRI, this position will be responsible for other related experiential learning programs in the college, including the ACCESS Scholars Program, a multi-year cohort program that supports students in becoming leaders in their scientific disciplines and beyond. We seek a visionary and experienced Director who will help shape the future of these programs during their next stage of development.

The next phase of maturation for College of Science experiential learning programs requires strategic leadership to provide direction and vision, cultivate partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, and establish operational processes necessary to successfully scale up to serve the growing population of students. This position will work with college leadership to develop, refine, implement, and scale novel experiential learning opportunities for science and mathematics students at the University of Utah.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience leading complex educational programs, building organizational infrastructure, and developing high-performing teams.

The College of Science at the University of Utah is a leading academic division dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge through innovative research, rigorous education, and community engagement. It encompasses eight academic units and several interdisciplinary programs that foster collaboration across scientific disciplines, including the Wilkes Center for Climate Science and Policy, the Center for Science and Mathematics Education, and the Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science. With state-of-the-art facilities and a strong emphasis on undergraduate research and graduate training, the College prepares students for impactful careers in academia, industry, medicine, and beyond.

The University of Utah is located in Salt Lake City, one of the most livable cities in the western United States, which blends genuine urban amenities with unmatched access to the outdoors. World-class skiing at Alta, Snowbird, Park City, and Deer Valley is minutes from campus, alongside hiking, biking, and five national parks within a few hours’ drive. The city offers great neighborhoods, excellent schools, a vibrant dining and arts scene, and a full slate of professional sports — the Utah Jazz, Utah Mammoth, Real Salt Lake, Utah Royals and the Salt Lake Bees — plus the energy of University of Utah athletics right on campus.

Start date for this position is negotiable.

Direct/Manage/Supervise the design and implementation of programs that carry out the mission of the university. Develop strategies and goals to create programs offering the greatest impact to the community. Determine short- and long-term program plans to meet organization goals. Oversee the coordination and daily work activities of the programs. Represent the interest of assigned program participants, both inside and outside of the organization. Manage volunteers, members, and staff.