Program Director, Online Paralegal Studies

Overview

A well-established post-secondary institution is seeking a Program Director for its online Paralegal Studies program. This senior academic leadership role is responsible for ensuring instructional quality, faculty performance, curriculum integrity, accreditation compliance, and student outcomes. The position includes teaching assigned courses and serving as a key member of the campus leadership team. This is a remote opportunity for candidates based in the United States.

Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Faculty Oversight

• Oversee day-to-day program operations and ensure instructional effectiveness across the faculty team.
• Recruit, onboard, train, evaluate, and develop instructors at all levels.
• Lead faculty hiring efforts, including scheduling interviews and teaching demonstrations.
• Conduct formal and informal classroom and lab observations with structured coaching feedback.
• Complete annual performance evaluations for all program instructors.
• Facilitate regular department meetings, faculty huddles, curriculum discussions, and strategic planning sessions.
• Conduct ongoing one-on-one coaching meetings focused on professional growth, program initiatives, and problem-solving.
• Model and instill organizational core values throughout the department.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all program-related concerns.
• Partner with campus leadership to resolve student and faculty performance issues promptly.

Curriculum and Compliance

• Ensure faculty adherence to approved curriculum and instructional standards.
• Lead curriculum development and revision efforts aligned with industry expectations, certification and licensure requirements, and accrediting body guidelines.
• Manage all program-related compliance activities, including record-keeping, student tracking, instructional documentation, monthly and annual reporting, and accreditation audits.
• Coordinate and lead Program Advisory Committee meetings, including board member recruitment, agenda preparation, and implementation of committee feedback.

Student Outcomes and Support

• Monitor and report on student retention, certification and licensure pass rates, and job placement rates, maintaining a minimum benchmark of 70% and a target of 80% across each category.
• Serve as or support the Placement and Externship Coordinator.
• Collaborate with campus leaders on academic advising, tutoring, career preparation, and student intervention meetings.
• Provide advisory support for students with escalated academic or behavioral concerns.
• Serve as a substitute instructor when needed to maintain instructional continuity.

Resource Management

• Oversee class scheduling, instructor assignments, and student-to-instructor ratios.
• Project program schedules based on enrollment and faculty capacity.
• Ensure availability and upkeep of supplies, materials, and lab equipment.
• Approve or coordinate supply orders with campus administration.

Campus and Community Engagement

• Represent the program at open houses, graduations, orientations, job fairs, and other campus-wide events.
• Participate in leadership meetings, accreditation preparation, and institutional review processes.
• Maintain active membership in a relevant professional organization and attend industry conferences to stay current in the field.

Professional Development

• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging faculty participation in workshops, continuing education, and cross-campus collaboration.
• Maintain required CEUs, certifications, and licensure.
• Complete a minimum of two professional development activities annually beyond organizational requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum of four years' experience as a paralegal or as a licensed attorney with experience supervising or collaborating with paralegals.
• Associate's degree minimum; higher degrees preferred.
• Current or former practicing paralegal or attorney; attorneys must be in good standing with the applicable state bar.
• Prior teaching experience in post-secondary paralegal education.
• Strongly preferred prior teaching experience in a distance or online education environment.
• Demonstrated professional integrity and ethical conduct consistent with legal profession standards.
• Active engagement in paralegal education and the profession, including participation in conferences or professional organizations.
• Working knowledge of the paralegal profession, including roles, supervision models, employment settings, and current trends.
• Preferred experience in faculty leadership, academic coordination, instructional coaching, or program development.
• Documented success in faculty supervision and program-level outcomes.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership and team-building capabilities.
• Competency in curriculum oversight, instructional compliance, and performance evaluation.
• Excellent time management, organizational, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Preferred experience with Campus Nexus or similar Student Information Systems and Canvas or other LMS platforms.
• Required hands-on experience with Westlaw, LexisNexis, or comparable legal research databases.
• Ability to teach both asynchronous and fully synchronous courses in alignment with ABA requirements.
• Proven track record of building student-centered and faculty-supportive program cultures.

Core Values

Candidates should consistently model positive attitude, respect, initiative, dedication, excellence, and pride.

Location

Remote (US-based)

Equal Opportunity

The employer does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, marital or veteran status, disability, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.