Academic Project Manager

Job Description

Position Summary:

The primary purpose of this position is to ensure the continued success, quality, and scalability of the Professional Science Master's (PSM) program in Zoo, Aquaria, and Animal Shelter Management by providing dedicated leadership in graduate instruction, student advising, and experiential learning. The position serves as a central point of support for students throughout their academic and professional development, with particular emphasis on capstone project completion, career readiness, and engagement with external partners.

Description of Work Unit

Located within the Department of Biology, this position will teach graduate courses, advise students, and supervise capstone projects within the PSM program. The individual will also build partnerships with external organizations and support student progress, helping maintain a high-quality educational experience as enrollment grows. The position will work within a two-person staff team under the leadership of the faculty Program Director.

Full Consideration Date

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59 pm (MT) on October 28, 2026.

Essential Job Duties

Design, develop, and deliver graduate-level coursework aligned with program objectives, industry trends, and professional competencies.

Create and maintain engaging course content for both in-person and online learning environments.

Evaluate student assignments, presentations, and professional documents, providing individualized feedback and guidance.

Supervise graduate capstone projects from proposal development through project completion, final deliverables, and publication preparation.

Monitor student academic progress, engagement, and project milestones, ensuring achievement of program expectations and outcomes.

Advise graduate students on academic planning, degree progression, career development, and Individual Development Plans (IDPs).

Review and provide feedback on research proposals, papers, compliance documentation, and other scholarly work.

Facilitate and support partnerships between students and external organizations to develop meaningful capstone and experiential learning opportunities.

Recruit, onboard, and maintain relationships with external partners to expand applied learning and professional development experiences.

Collaborate with departmental leadership to develop, coordinate, and assess undergraduate experiential learning programs while mentoring students and evaluating progress toward academic milestones.

Signing Bonus:

Any signing bonus, up to $2,500 , must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the hiring laboratory and departmental leadership.

Conditions of Employment:

Pre-Employment Background Check (required for all new hires).

Supervision:

Provide occasional supervision of 1–2 graduate student hourly assistants (up to 0.5 FTE), including task assignment, guidance, and oversight of work priorities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• MS or PhD in Zoology, Biology or Animal Sciences or PSM Degree in Zoo, Aquaria and Animal Shelter Management, or MS in Higher Education, Counseling or Human Services, Psychology, Education, Liberal Arts/Social Sciences.
• Experience teaching at the college or university level.
• Three year’s professional experience working directly with students in a higher education setting to provide academic advising, and/or conducting student development activities such as orientation, multicultural affairs, residence life, and career services.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Academic training in Biology, Zoology, Animal Behavior, or a closely related field.
• Experience guiding students in degree planning, academic policies, and career development, including internships and job search strategies, while supporting a broad range of student populations.
• Student engagement and accountability skills. Ability to motivate students through clear expectations and academic rigor while fostering a supportive, inclusive environment that addresses both academic and personal challenges. Experience with design of research projects and managing projects through completion.
• Teaching, facilitation, and presentation skills. Proven ability to develop curriculum, deliver instruction to residential and online learners, and coordinate instructor/mentor partnerships.
• Data-informed assessment and program evaluation skills. Experience tracking student outcomes, analyzing data, and applying insights to improve advising practices and program effectiveness.
• Strong leadership, organizational, administrative, and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to innovate, coordinate initiatives that enhance program outcomes, track student success, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• Experiential learning and partnership development experience. Demonstrated effectiveness in building partnerships, coordinating internships or research placements, mentoring students through the experience, and assessing experiential learning outcomes.