Project Director, GEAR UP Promise Zone

Partners for Rural Impact’s (PRI) ultimate goal is for an America where all kids are successful, regardless of zip code, income, background, or ability. At PRI, our focus is on ensuring that all children in rural places achieve success. Partners for Rural Impact was born out of our place-based partnership in Appalachia, where we’ve worked for 25 years to create student opportunity and success.

Project Director for PRI’s GEAR UP Promise Zone grant is a key full‑time position. Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Project Director will work closely with partners, school systems, and stakeholders to ensure objectives are met. The Project Director is responsible for ensuring that the program complies with the U.S. Department of Education guidelines; managing the daily operation of the program through hiring, supervising, training and guiding staff in the development, implementation and evaluation of program activities;

and operating the program in a fiscally prudent manner that follows all federal requirements. Additional responsibilities include utilizing Results Based Accountability (RBA) and engaging stakeholders in aligning contributions and braiding funding to achieve the project objectives. The position leads and operates with the goal that All Rural Students Succeed.

• Oversee all aspects of the project to include the daily operation of the program through hiring, supervising, training and guiding staff in the development, implementation, and evaluation of program activities.
• Develop and refine project operations to ensure that objectives are met.
• Manage a federal budget and ensure that all expenditures are allowable, allocable and reasonable.
• Ensure services as proposed in the grant application are being effectively and efficiently delivered.
• Manage project budgets and work with lead agencies and partners to ensure all expenditures are allowable and within the scope of the work.
• Audit and approve all required reports.
• Work with the Director of Programs and the Data and Evaluation Team to ensure fidelity in delivery of services, alignment to the logic model, and progress toward outcomes.
• Ensure data is collected in a timely and efficient manner and provide feedback to key stakeholders.
• Guide development of the yearly Results Plan ensuring strategies meet the needs of students, schools and families.
• Provide leadership and vision to the project consortiums – particularly key partners – to ensure continuous improvement.
• Other roles and duties will be assigned as necessary to assist and support the attainment of our mission;
  All Rural Students Succeed.

The Project Director will be located in one of the Promise Zone designated counties of eastern Kentucky. This position may be considered for hybrid work with local, state and sometimes national travel required. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with in‑office and/or remote work a possibility. Because of the nature of the responsibility to schools, partners, funders and the service region, individual offices or departments may have operating hours that extend beyond this period and may include evening and/or weekend hours.

• Master’s degree in applicable field.

• Minimum ten years’ experience in personnel, program and fiscal management.
• Demonstrated experience with federal grants management, including budget responsibility.
• Demonstrated knowledge and leadership in school reform, college and career readiness and evaluation.
• Experience and commitment to working within rural communities.
• Demonstrated success in a complex, fast‑paced, high‑performing organization, with the ability to prioritize projects and work cross‑functionally.

• Demonstrated knowledge and leadership in the areas of school reform, parent engagement or program evaluation.
• Familiarity with GEAR UP.
• A commitment to the whole‑child approach.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Capacity to multi‑task and achieve…