University of Connecticut

JOB SUMMARY

The Center for Access & Postsecondary Success (CAPS) Associate Director for Pre-College Programs will serve as a leading voice for advancing educational equity and promoting college preparation and success for potentially first-generation and other students traditionally underrepresented in higher education. Reporting to the Executive Director for Access & Postsecondary Success, the Associate Director provides leadership and oversight for multiple college pathway programs across the UConn system, having senior-level responsibility for administrative, fiscal, and operational oversight of college access programs, including oversight of staffing, fiscal management, grant management, resource development, and coordination of related support. The Director must be able to use recent educational research, and state, national, and institutional data to inform the implementation of current programs and the development of new programs to promote underrepresented students’ access to higher education.

As a member of the CAPS Leadership Team, the Associate Director also supports the university’s outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts for students from historically marginalized populations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees a team of pre-college program directors and staff throughout the state to coordinate efforts and compliance across multiple educational access and opportunity initiatives, providing ongoing professional development, supervision, and cross-team collaboration.
• Manages planning, development, implementation, evaluation, and administration of student access initiatives for pre-college (K-12) students guiding efforts towards successful completion of program-specific performance objectives.
• Manages grant funds and multiple approved budgets. Works with ISS Administration and Sponsored Programs to ensure fiscal and operational excellence and compliance with federal, state, and university policies and regulations.
• Hires, trains, supervises and evaluates professional, special payroll, and part-time faculty and staff responsible for supervising, instructing, mentoring, tutoring, and supporting participants in affiliated programs.
• Builds and maintains strong partnerships with university stakeholders, schools, community members, and educational opportunity/TRIO organizations.
• Travels regularly to program sites to support staff development, student programming, and advocacy efforts that increase program awareness across multiple sectors.
• Supports project directors in planning, preparing, and submitting outcome data for all required performance reports annually, as well as regular dissemination of program performance data and effectiveness metrics.
• Ensures compliance with university, state, philanthropic, and federal grant requirements and prepares necessary reports for funding agencies while continuously identifying additional and/or complimentary funding opportunities.
• Represents the department on various boards, organizations, and university committees and actively work to position the work of pre-college educational access and outreach efforts in alignment with University Strategic Goals and nationally established best practices.
• Researches and assists in writing proposals for federal, state, and private grants to secure funding to support the delivery of services. May submit grant proposals on behalf of the department and serve as Principal Investigator.
• Teach First Year Experience courses.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. Master’s degree in a related field.
2. Five years of organizational experience leading work with students who are first-generation-to-college, from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, and/or are from other populations underrepresented in higher education.
3. Experience working in a higher education environment.
4. Demonstrated strength in written and verbal communication.
5. Experience with planning and organizing programs and curricula.
6. Supervisory and budgetary experience.
7. Demonstrated success in establishing and deepening partnerships with key campus, high school, and/or community-based organizations and stakeholders.
8. Knowledge of higher education and the challenges faced by students who attend under-resourced schools, who are first-generation to college, from low-income backgrounds, and/or populations underrepresented in higher education.
9. Experience advising/mentoring students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Experience managing staff in multiple locations.
2. 5-7 years of relevant experience.
3. Experience with grant writing.
4. Experience in managing state and/or federal grants.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, permanent position. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/benefits-beyond-pay/.

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #498794 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

The review of applications will begin immediately and this posting will remain open until filled.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.