Assistant Director; UT GUIDES Project Director

Job Posting

Title:

Assistant Director (UT GUIDES 2025 Project Director)

Hiring Department: Curriculum and Instruction

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled

Hours:

40

FLSA Status: Exempt

Earliest

Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: HOUSTON, TX

Job Details: General Notes. The university provides employees a competitive benefits package that includes health insurance (premiums covered 100% for full-time benefits-eligible employees), retirement plans, and paid leave, in addition to other programs and services.

Reporting to the Senior Director at the Institute for Public School Initiatives (IPSI), the Assistant Director (UT GUIDES 2025 Project Director) will oversee the UT GEAR UP for Industry Development and Educational Success (
UT GUIDES 2025
) grant from the US Department of Education, providing leadership and direction to ensure the successful implementation of college and career readiness services for 5,423 GEAR UP students and families in Houston and East Texas. The Assistant Director will be responsible for hiring and supervising staff, building and managing partnerships, overseeing data collection and reporting, developing and managing budgets, and maintaining compliance with grant requirements.

• Function 1: Provide leadership and direction for UT GUIDES 2025 grant activities, ensuring successful implementation and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Develop annual targets, review and approve work plans, and monitor progress toward grant goals and objectives. Meet with district leadership in person and virtually and make regular site visits to partner schools. Collaborate with IPSI Directors and staff to ensure alignment of programming across grants.

• Function 2: Hire, train, supervise, motivate, and empower staff, ensuring clear communication and expectations. Provide ongoing coaching and feedback to direct reports, supporting their professional and personal growth. Conduct annual performance appraisals.

• Function 3: Manage annual budget of $4.3 million. Monitor spending, review/approve requests, and ensure grant expenditures are allowable and that progress is being made toward the required match/in-kind commitment. Collaborate with the IPSI business team to develop and manage contracts. Oversee the preparation of annual budgets and reports, ensuring required documents for the sponsor are completed accurately and on time.

• Function 4: Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with partners, including school districts, businesses, institutions of higher education, and community organizations. Lead communications among grant partners and manage contracts. Act as a liaison with community organizations to meet program requirements and division goals.

• Function 5: In collaboration with the external evaluator and IPSI data & research team, oversee all data collection and reporting on the grant, including the Annual Performance Report (APR) and Final Performance Report (FPR).

• Function 6: Represent IPSI/UT GEAR UP at national/statewide conferences, directors’ meetings, and other convenings. Inform stakeholders about GEAR UP outcomes and identify and create opportunities to share success stories.

• Function 7: Develop and implement actions to enhance project value. Troubleshoot challenges and determine actions with the team.

• Function 8: Other related functions as assigned.

Master’s degree in related field such as Education, Business Administration, or Public Affairs/Administration. 8+ years of experience administering K-12 or higher education student services or academic development programs. Experience with federal programs and grants. Experience working with multiple partners in a program or major service delivery project. Excellent knowledge of college readiness issues and challenges facing low‑income, first‑generation student populations. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Extensive knowledge of the administrative structure of a large research university.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

• Prior experience as a program…