Description
Job Description: The Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies (SPS) is seeking an exceptional and dynamic faculty leader to serve as the Academic Director of the Public Administration and Public Policy and Data Analytics programs, starting July 1, 2026. This full-time position is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
About the School of Professional Studies:
The mission of the SPS is to accelerate the professional growth of adult learners across their careers and support the talent development needs of organizations. We believe this is best achieved through the strategic partnership of industry expertise and academic excellence, embodying principles of accessibility, flexibility, and a strong market orientation. All of our programs are designed for professionals who can apply acquired skills directly to their careers and reflect best and emerging practices from the field combined with rigorous, research-based knowledge from academia.
The Academic Director's Role:
This is a unique opportunity to join an innovative school that's shaping the future of professional education, built on the quality and excellence of our university. As an influential, market-connected leader and key subject-matter expert, the Academic Director will be responsible for providing academic oversight and strategic direction for our graduate Project Management and IT Management degree programs. The director will be joining a creative, mission-centered, and highly collaborative team of faculty and staff who will be supporting these programs and their students.
The director will nurture a culture of innovation and collaboration that centers on the success of our students and community partners. The director will be expected to guide the programs' strategic positioning, guarantee their market leadership, and continuously enhance their impact by ensuring the quality and relevance of the program curriculum, monitoring outcomes and seeking input from students, faculty, advisors, and other stakeholders.
As the leader of a team of practitioner-scholars, the academic director will engage with program faculty and nurture close connections with industry leaders, leveraging a deep understanding of emerging trends and best practices. This includes leading Program Advisory Boards to advance the programs and provide mentorship to students, as well as engaging deeply with IT and project management professionals in the Charlotte region to advance program goals, enhance student success, and positively impact our community.
The candidate will be ranked as a professor of the practice (non-tenure track) and is expected to teach courses within the school in at least one of the two programs they lead.
Qualifications:
A Master’s degree or higher in Public Administration, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
Significant leadership experience in public service or a nonprofit environment, with a proven ability to lead and manage teams, formulate policy, and use data analytics for strategic decision-making.
Demonstrated expertise in data analytics and quantitative analysis related to public administration and policy.
Prior experience teaching online at the graduate level is required, with evidence of teaching effectiveness.
Prior academic leadership or business managerial experience is preferred.
About the Programs:
The Public Administration program is focused on developing leaders who can manage high-impact projects and policies in the public sector, nonprofit organizations, and government. We emphasize an interdisciplinary approach that balances contemporary management practices with the adaptive application of leadership skills. Our curriculum highlights the growing importance of digital transformation, sustainability, and equity in shaping impactful change within communities.
The Public Policy and Data Analytics program equips professionals to integrate data analytics with human-centered public policy. The program is distinguished by its focus on translating complex data into practical policy insights that directly benefit individuals and communities. This requires a human-centered approach to data leadership that emphasizes ethical data use and a focus on data storytelling for policy influence, equipping graduates to communicate compelling narratives that inspire action.
This joint leadership role presents a unique opportunity to build synergies between two critical fields. The director will guide leaders who can not only manage complex public service issues but also leverage data to create equitable, transparent, and effective policy. This role requires a leader who is passionate about both the art of public leadership and the science of data-driven decision-making.
=====================================================================
Application Procedure:
Review of applications will begin immediately. The following materials should be submitted: letter of application, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, and evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as course evaluations and comparative benchmarks). Formal transcripts will be required before a hiring offer can be made. Applications that include all required information and are submitted on or before November 1, 2025 will be given full consideration. To apply, visit: https://hr.wfu.edu/careers/. Inquiries about the position should be addressed to askhr@wfu.edu.
Wake Forest University:
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to academic excellence in liberal arts, graduate, and professional education. Founded in 1834, the University is ranked among the top thirty national universities according to U.S. News & World Report. With other 5,000 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate and professional students, the student-faculty ratio is 11:1. Wake Forest is a collegiate university offering a vibrant, intellectual community with a rich cultural life, an impressive array of facilities, and a strong athletics program competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Since its founding, the University has adopted the motto Pro Humanitate, which is exemplified by a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the work. Click here for quick facts about the University
The School of Professional Studies:
The School of Professional Studies (SPS) is the newest school of Wake Forest University. SPS houses innovative graduate degree and non-degree programs, including certificates and other credentials, as well as relevant Executive Education courses, for working professionals. SPS is focused on developing accessible and market-relevant programs that build upon Wake Forest’s current areas of strength as well as delivering future professional development education that is essential to the growing economy of Charlotte, where the School is located, and the surrounding region. SPS is at the frontier of what’s next for Wake Forest University as the university boldly expands into Charlotte with the opening of an Innovation District in partnership with Atrium Health. SPS is an exciting strategic initiative for the university benefiting from strong support from the university community, including administration and trustees, and the business and civic leaders of Charlotte. SPS has a vision to develop a new kind of leader. It helps working professionals rise to the challenges of today’s dynamic job market by teaching in-demand skills and awarding sought-after credentials. The School empowers its students to adapt, grow, and excel, shaping them into leaders who will guide businesses into the future with integrity. Learn more about the School of Professional Studies online at https://sps.wfu.edu.
Charlotte, North Carolina
The fifth fastest growing city in the U.S., Charlotte is the most populous city in North Carolina, with more than 874,000 residents. The city is the cultural, economic, and transportation center of the Charlotte metropolitan area, especially in the financial sector. It is the second largest financial banking center in the U.S. after New York City. Home to several Fortune 500 companies, Charlotte is one of the nation’s top cities expected to experience continued economic growth,
particularly for start-ups.
