Academic Programs Manager

Department: Taliesin Institute

Reports to: Vice President, Taliesin Institute (hard line); dotted line to VP, Strategic Partnerships & Taliesin Institute Operations

Category: Exempt (Salaried)

Status: Full Time

Location: Taliesin West (travel to Taliesin in Spring Green, WI required)

Position Summary

The Taliesin Institute designs and delivers academic and lifelong learning programs at Taliesin and Taliesin West for university students, faculty, professionals, and adult learners. Its work includes academic residencies, lectures, continuing education, symposia, and other scholarly and educational initiatives that explore architecture, design, landscape, sustainability, and Wright's pedagogical theories.

Reporting to the Vice President of the Taliesin Institute, with a dotted-line relationship to the VP of Strategic Partnerships & Taliesin Institute Operations, the Academic Programs Manager owns the day-to-day management and growth of the Institute's university residency program, professional development offerings, and lifelong learning programming. This position leads program delivery directly — including leading tours, teaching select sessions, and identifying and booking outside lecturers for higher-level or subject-matter-specific content — while also handling the on-site logistics that make each program run smoothly: housing, meals, transportation, and daily schedules. The Academic Programs Manager also develops and executes a marketing plan for these programs, in coordination with the VP of Strategic Partnerships, and maintains the program budget. This position is located at Taliesin West in Scottdale, AZ with travel required to Taliesin in Spring Green, WI

Essential Functions

Program Development & Delivery

• Manage and grow the university residency program, including curriculum planning, scheduling, and on-site delivery
• Lead tours and teach select sessions or workshop content directly
• Identify, recruit, and coordinate outside lecturers and subject-matter experts for higher-level or specialized programming
• Manage and grow professional development and lifelong learning programming, including continuing education offerings
• Develop and coordinate academic content and materials for programs and courses at both sites and digitally
• Support the Institute's public lecture series with content and logistical coordination
• Support research initiatives as related to the Institute's priorities

Marketing & Promotion

• Develop and execute a marketing plan for university residency, professional development, and lifelong learning programs, in coordination with the VP of Strategic Partnerships & Taliesin Institute Operations
• Maintain and update website content and program collateral (brochures, flyers, digital assets) to reflect current offerings
• Build relationships with external faculty, scholars, and partners to support program visibility and recruitment

Program Operations & Logistics

• Serve as the primary on-site coordinator for university residencies, workshops, and lifelong learning programs at both sites
• Organize and manage visiting groups from arrival through departure, including orientation, daily itineraries, and movement between sites
• Coordinate meals and dining logistics for program participants — communicating headcounts, dietary restrictions, and timing to kitchen and dining staff
• Arrange lodging and housing logistics for visiting students, faculty, and program guests
• Serve as the day-of point of contact for group leaders, faculty, and participants, resolving logistical issues as they arise
• Coordinate with facilities, housekeeping, dining, and security staff to ensure spaces and services are ready ahead of each group's arrival
• Prepare and distribute program materials, welcome packets, and schedules to participants and staff

Budget & Administration

• Maintain and manage the budget for university residency, professional development, and lifelong learning programs, including tracking expenses and processing related invoices
• Maintain program calendars and coordinate scheduling across departments to avoid conflicts
• Supervise supplemental program staff
• Support workflow development, evaluation, and program assessment
• Collaborate across departments and represent the Institute professionally
• Perform other related duties as assigned

This position is full-time with a salary of $60K/year and comprehensive benefits including a paid time-off package. The Foundation pays up to 90% of monthly health-care premiums and enrolls all regular full-time employees into our life insurance, short-term and long-term disability, and long-term care policies at no cost to employees.

A career at Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation offers more than an opportunity to impact the world through our mission. Our team does vital and valued work that fosters creativity, collaboration, and camaraderie. Besides competitive compensation and benefits, we offer an inclusive environment, amazing views, and incredible architecture to inspire you every day

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Architectural History, Art History, Hospitality Management, or related field
• Experience developing and executing academic or educational content
• Experience coordinating events, group travel, or on-site program logistics
• Ability to work independently
• Strong organizational, budget, and project management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends
• Ability to travel on an as-needed basis to Taliesin for program execution

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in modern American architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright
• College-level teaching experience
• Marketing or communications experience
• Experience in hospitality, event planning, or guest services
• Museum or archival experience

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. 

Physical demands: While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; occasionally climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; and consistently talk or hear; and rarely taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Work environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job description does not constitute a contract for employment with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation or any affiliate, either expressed or implied, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation reserves the right at any time to change, delete, or add to any of the provisions at its sole discretion. Furthermore, the provisions of this job description are designed by the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to serve as guidelines rather than absolute rules, and exceptions may be made from time to time on the basis of particular circumstances.

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.