Program Lead, Tailored Programs, Fuqua School of Business

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Program Lead, Tailored Programs
Level 13

Executive Education

The Program Lead, Tailored Programs (level 13) is responsible for the end-to-end management and execution of tailored executive education programs for corporate clients. This role serves as the primary program manager for tailored programs, owning delivery from design through execution and post-program evaluation. In addition to program delivery, the Program Lead supports the Director of Business Development for Tailored Programs in the development of proposals, client engagement, and program design. This role plays a critical part in ensuring a seamless client experience while contributing to the growth and scalability of the tailored programs portfolio. This is a highly visible, client-facing role that requires strong project management, communication, and problem-solving skills, along with the ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-touch executive education environment. The role reports to the Director of Business Development for Tailored Programs.

Be You.

Job Responsibilities:

Program Delivery & Execution

• Serve as the primary program manager for tailored executive education programs, owning end-to-end delivery for both on-site and off-site programs.


• Lead all aspects of program execution, including planning, scheduling, logistics coordination, participant communication, and on-site delivery.


• Ensure a high-quality, seamless experience for clients, faculty, and participants.


• Anticipate and proactively resolve operational challenges to maintain program excellence.


• Manage multiple concurrent programs at different stages of development and delivery.

Client Engagement & Relationship Support

• Serve as a key point of contact for clients during program planning and delivery.


• Support the Director of Business Development in maintaining strong client relationships.


• Participate in client meetings, helping translate client needs into program execution plans.


• Ensure client expectations are clearly understood and consistently met throughout the program lifecycle.

Proposal Development & Business Development Support

• Support the development of tailored program proposals, including drafting, editing, and coordinating inputs from faculty and internal stakeholders.


• Conduct client, industry, and participant research to inform program design and positioning.


• Assist in preparing materials for client presentations and business development discussions.


• Contribute to the refinement of program concepts based on client needs and market insights.

Program Design & Faculty Coordination

• Collaborate with faculty and the Director of Business Development to translate client objectives into program agendas and learning experiences.


• Coordinate faculty engagement, including scheduling, briefing materials, and communication.


• Support iteration and refinement of program content to enhance relevance and impact.

Program Evaluation & Continuous Improvement

• Manage post-program evaluations and feedback collection.


• Analyze participant and client feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.


• Contribute to continuous improvement of program design and delivery processes.

Operational Excellence & Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve program delivery processes, tools, and workflows.


• Contribute to the development of repeatable systems that support scalability and efficiency.


• Maintain accurate records and documentation within CRM and project management systems.

Other Duties/Projects as Assigned

Be Bold.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required.


• 4+ years of experience in program management, project management, event management, executive education, or a related field.


• Proven ability to manage complex projects and deliver high-quality experiences in a client-facing environment.


• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with senior executives, faculty, and internal stakeholders.


• Ability to anticipate needs, solve problems proactively, and operate with a high degree of ownership and accountability.


• Experience with CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), project management tools, and standard business software.

Choose Duke.