Associate Director for Programs, Early Identification Program

About the Department

The Early Identification Program (EIP) is George Mason University’s college access program, which encourages the academic advancement of students who are the first in their families to attend college. The EIP inspires students towards higher education and assists them to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to become productive and responsible global citizens. The program is designed to support students through program‑sponsored activities, which include weekly tutoring/mentoring, Saturday sessions regarding college admissions, financial aid, goal setting, study skills, academic preparation in math and science, and family workshops for students and parents.

The EIP strategies are a driver to actualize George Mason University’s goal to grow EIP to serve more than 1,500 students in Northern Virginia each year.

The Associate Director for Programs is an integral member of the Early Identification Program (EIP). This individual works closely with EIP’s other Associate Directors and the Executive Director in providing leadership and administration of all aspects of the EIP, to include sharing leadership responsibilities for the Executive Director, as needed. Key responsibilities include direct supervision of three Assistant Directors, planning and development of programmatic initiatives, contributing to the EIP’s assessment and reporting, recruitment and hiring of mentoring staff, and leadership for several key aspects of summer programs.

Additionally, the Associate Director works with the Executive Director in managing all student services, which includes monitoring student academic progress/participation, decisions on student enrollment, the application and admission process, and communication/relationship management with families and all seven county school partners. The Associate Director role also provides leadership through the management and coordination of high‑profile events, including Board of Visitor meetings, Senior Graduation, and the New Student Reception Ceremony.

• Fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment that promotes employee well‑being, engagement, and retention.
• Supervises staff by setting clear performance expectations, providing regular feedback, and addressing performance issues to support employee engagement, accountability, and retention.
• Encourages and supports ongoing professional development opportunities for all staff, ensuring they have the tools and training needed to succeed in their roles.
• Organizes workflow and ensures employees understand their duties or delegated tasks.
• Sets clear performance expectations, and goals and deadlines aligned with unit, divisional, and university strategic plans.
• Communicates expectations effectively, monitors employee productivity and development, and provides continuous feedback and coaching to support staff growth and accountability.
• Prepares and conducts timely performance evaluations, and maintains accurate records of employee performance, feedback, and disciplinary actions, ensuring adherence to legal and university policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with University Life divisional partners/stakeholders to address performance concerns; and
• Effectively hires, onboards, and trains new employees to build capability and ensure operational continuity.

• Ensures all programs operate successfully and within budget, working closely with the Associate Director of Operations and the team to ensure spaces are reserved, spending practices for programs are sound and efficient, and time reporting processes are accurate and efficiently submitted.
• Responsible for overseeing the planning, coordination, and implementation of large‑scale, high‑profile events, inclusive of Board of Visitors meetings, major weekend events, Senior Graduation, and the New Student Recognition Ceremony.
• Serves as the on‑site administrator for designated Saturday programming, which takes place throughout the academic year.
• Liaises with EIP partner/stakeholders on all matters related to the EIP. These partners include public‑school system administrators, counselors and…