Senior Academic Program Director Role Overview

The Senior Academic Program Director, DPT is a full-time academic core faculty member responsible for the leadership and management of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program across multiple campuses in Austin, TX. The role works closely with academic administrators, administrative staff, and full-time and part-time faculty to deliver a high-quality curriculum that meets program goals, institutional expectations, and accreditation standards, overseeing a designated home campus program along with at least one expansion program.

Reporting to the Associate Dean for Physical Therapy, the Senior Program Director plays a critical role in program development, policy revisions, admissions, academic progress, and graduation competencies, and supervises faculty and support staff as assigned. The role collaborates with internal departments to resolve faculty and student issues while contributing to the institution’s strategic initiatives and long-term program sustainability. DPT programs operate within the accreditation and professional frameworks set by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the American Physical Therapy Association, and the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the DPT program, ensuring alignment with institutional goals and continuous quality improvement.
• Develop and implement strategic plans for program growth and expansion.
• Collect, analyze, and use key performance metrics, including student learning outcomes, faculty workload, student satisfaction, graduation rates, licensure pass rates, and employability data, to drive continuous improvement.
• Build a culture of innovation and select strategies that best support the program’s mission and long-term objectives.
• Lead curriculum development and program improvement efforts, working collaboratively with other disciplines as needed.

Program Operations

• Oversee the effective operation of the DPT program, ensuring efficient workflows, appropriate faculty numbers, and curriculum quality.
• Foster strong communication and collaboration among students, faculty, and staff to promote a positive academic environment.
• Address student concerns, provide academic advising, and assist in problem-solving and complaint resolution.
• Actively participate in student recruitment efforts and marketing initiatives.
• Ensure faculty are aligned with department and institutional outcomes as outlined in the Institutional Effectiveness Plan.
• Coordinate and support scholarly project research for students, serving on relevant committees as needed.
• Monitor and improve student progression, retention, and graduation rates.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.
• Manage faculty recruitment, hiring, and supervision, and participate in DPT program instruction.
• Lead and enhance the dissertation and scholarly projects process.

Faculty and Staff Leadership and Development

• Demonstrate effective leadership and team-building skills in faculty and staff management.
• Evaluate faculty effectiveness using established performance standards.
• Mentor faculty and staff to enhance performance, promote leadership development, and foster teamwork.
• Cultivate a culture that aligns with the institution’s core values and prioritizes student success.

Scholarly and Professional Development

• Engage in professional development, staying informed about best practices, accreditation policies, and trends in physical therapy education.
• Maintain an active presence in relevant professional organizations and conferences.
• Conduct research and apply theoretical and practical knowledge to foster faculty and student development.

Fiscal Management

• Work closely with admissions and enrollment teams to meet projected enrollment goals.
• Assess and advocate for necessary resources based on program needs and strategic objectives.
• Manage program budgets responsibly, ensuring fiscal efficiency and equitable allocation of funds.

Core Management and Accreditation

• Lead participation in accreditation processes and ensure compliance with federal, state, and accrediting body regulations.
• Maintain exceptional service for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Foster a collaborative and accountable organizational culture and uphold institutional policies and procedures.
• Serve on institutional committees, contribute to program governance, and approve prerequisite course substitutions and transfer credits.

Cross-Functional and Additional Duties

• Partner with the Director of Curriculum Quality to ensure an integrated, cohesive curriculum across all DPT programs.
• Work with the Executive Director of Accreditation and Assessment to meet accreditation requirements and timelines for both main and expansion programs.
• Engage with Clinical Services to ensure high-quality clinical experiences for students.
• Collaborate with instructional design teams to develop and refine course content.
• Engage in scholarship, service, and clinical work as outlined in the faculty professional development plan.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, or DPT with an academic focus) required.
• Ten or more years of experience in higher education as a senior administrator or faculty member.
• Extensive experience in program management, accreditation, and curriculum development within physical therapy education.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and evaluate faculty and staff.
• Experience in strategic planning, enrollment management, and student retention initiatives.
• Strong understanding of accreditation and quality assurance processes in higher education.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Exceptional problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to program excellence.
• Experience in budget management and resource allocation.

Who Thrives as a Senior Academic Program Director

This is a senior, multi-campus academic leadership role, and the strongest candidates lead across sites without losing rigor at any one of them. They hold a doctorate and a decade or more in higher education, and they are fluent in CAPTE-aligned accreditation, curriculum development, and the metrics that define a DPT program, including licensure pass rates, graduation, and employability. Program growth and expansion energize them rather than overwhelm them.

It is also a faculty-leadership seat with real depth. People who do well here recruit, develop, evaluate, and mentor faculty across a home campus and at least one expansion program, cultivate a culture aligned to institutional values, and still teach and contribute to scholarship themselves. Managing budgets, resources, and enrollment targets is part of the daily reality.

Finally, the role lives at the intersection of many departments. The best fit partners well with curriculum quality, accreditation and assessment, clinical services, and admissions, resolving faculty and student issues while keeping the program sustainable for the long term.

About Excelon Associates

Excelon Associates is a retained executive search firm founded in 2007, headquartered in Asheville, North Carolina, with offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, Florida. The firm recruits leadership and specialized talent across higher education, healthcare, financial services, and government, including academic leadership in the health sciences.

This Senior Academic Program Director search is managed by an Excelon recruiter who serves as the single point of contact through screening, interviews, and offer. You can explore the firm’s higher education recruitment practice, browse current open roles, or review recent campaigns to see the kinds of searches Excelon runs.

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