Department Contact: Craig Newtson, 575-646-3820, newtson@nmsu.edu
Internal or External Search: External - Open to all applicants
Advertising Summary: The College of Engineering is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as Program Operations Director, Sr. within the Outreach & Recruitment office. This high-visibility supervisory position drives the strategic vision for our entire STEM workforce pipeline—bridging K-12 outreach, student career readiness, and industry professional development. If you are ready to scale our strategic partnerships, launch innovative micro-credentials, and secure external funding to shape the future of workforce development, we invite you to apply.
Position Title: Program Operations Director Senior
College/Division: Engineering College
Department: 360800-ENGINEERING NM RESOURCE NETWORK
Location: Las Cruces
Offsite Location (if applicable):
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $77,235.92 - To commensurate with qualifications
Appointment Full-time Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).
Contingent Upon Funding: Contingent upon external funding
Standard Work Schedule: Standard (M-F, 8-5)
If Not a Standard Work Schedule:
Job Duties and Responsibilities: Serve as Operations Director for STEM workforce and career development programming and partnerships for the College of Engineering. This supervisory position provides strategic leadership for initiatives supporting the full workforce pipeline, including K–12 outreach programming with an emphasis on middle and high school engagement, undergraduate and graduate student career readiness, and professional workforce development for industry practitioners and licensed engineering professionals. Key duties include oversight of strategic partnerships and workforce accelerator initiatives that align academic programming with workforce and economic development priorities. The Director will collaborate with state agencies, industry, and staffing organizations to identify workforce needs and support development of career-ready programming and micro-credentials focused on upskilling, reskilling, and new skill attainment. The Director will facilitate student career development initiatives and experiential learning opportunities and execute professional conferences, workshops, and other large-scale events, serving as a primary point of contact for industry partners, sponsors, and external stakeholders. Additional responsibilities include faculty engagement in proposal development, pursuit of external funding opportunities to support workforce and K–12 STEM outreach initiatives, and management of grant writing, administration, reporting, and compliance activities.
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree + 10 years of relevant experience, to include at least 2 years at senior management/executive Level. Master's degree or higher preferred.
Equivalent Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Special Certification/Licensure:
Environment: Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
Physical Effort: No or very limited physical effort required.
Lifting Requirements: Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
Risk: No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
