Director, Early College Pathways & Partnerships

College of DuPage; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 107,000; Full time

Job summary

The College of DuPage is seeking a Director of Early College Programs to lead Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, and K-12 partnership initiatives. The role guides strategic direction, ensures regulatory compliance, and optimizes program effectiveness across college and community partnerships.

Based in Illinois, the Director will manage a team and collaborate with College leadership to advance access and student success while aligning with the institution's long-range plan.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution required.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, secondary education, early college programming, Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, or related fields required.
• Experience providing administrative or organizational leadership for programs, initiatives, or functions of significant scope and complexity required.
• Experience developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with educational institutions and external stakeholders required.
• Experience with program planning, budget administration, assessment, compliance, and continuous improvement required.
• Experience supervising and developing professional staff required.
• Experience interpreting and applying regulatory, legislative, accreditation, or other external requirements required.
• Knowledge of Illinois legislation and regulatory and accreditation requirements affecting early college programs.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans and translate institutional priorities into measurable program outcomes.
• Strong financial, analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish the strategic vision, goals, priorities, and long-range direction for the Office of Early College Programs in alignment with the College's strategic priorities.
• Provide overall leadership and accountability for Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, and K-12 Partnership Initiatives and ensure effective coordination across program areas.
• Evaluate emerging opportunities and trends in early college education and recommend strategies to expand access, strengthen pathways, improve student success, and advance the College's strategic objectives.
• Develop and maintain high-level institutional relationships with school districts, regional educational organizations, community partners, and other external stakeholders.
• Serve as a primary College representative and institutional liaison for significant Early College partnerships and initiatives.
• Establish and maintain the organizational framework, policies, procedures, and standards necessary to ensure effective and sustainable program operations.
• Provide overall accountability for compliance with applicable Illinois legislation, ICCB, IBHE, HLC, NACEP, Perkins, and other regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Oversee the College's approach to program quality, accreditation, assessment, and continuous improvement and ensure that appropriate operational processes are in place.
• Direct the development and evaluation of program goals, performance measures, and assessment strategies and use data to evaluate program effectiveness, identify growth opportunities, and inform strategic decisions.
• Develop, manage, and advocate for the financial resources necessary to support the Office of Early College Programs and make recommendations regarding resource allocation and future needs.
• Establish priorities for staffing, organizational structure, technology, and other resources necessary to support program objectives.
• Provide leadership and direction to professional staff within the Office of Early College Programs, including the Assistant Director, Manager, partnership liaisons, specialists, and other assigned staff.
• Establish expectations for organizational performance, staff development, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee the development and expansion of strategic pathways and partnerships that connect high school students to College programs, credentials, and transfer opportunities.
• Collaborate with senior College leadership, academic deans and faculty, Student Affairs, Communications, HR, and other internal partners to advance institutional priorities related to early college programming.
• Lead the development of major initiatives and partnerships from concept through implementation and evaluation.
• Establish communication strategies and stakeholder engagement approaches that support program awareness, institutional alignment, and effective implementation.
• Monitor the overall performance, quality, and effectiveness of Early College Programs and take appropriate action to address challenges and improve outcomes.
• Present program data, recommendations, accomplishments, and emerging issues to College leadership and other appropriate stakeholders.
• Represent the College at significant community, regional, state, and professional meetings and events related to early college education and partnerships.
• Advocate for the Office of Early College Programs and promote its role in advancing college access, student success, and community engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Financial analysis

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Communication

Leadership

Strategic planning

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Office software

Job description

The College of DuPage is seeking a Director of Early College Programs to lead Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, and K-12 partnership initiatives. The role guides strategic direction, ensures regulatory compliance, and optimizes program effectiveness across college and community partnerships.

Based in Illinois, the Director will manage a team and collaborate with College leadership to advance access and student success while aligning with the institution's long-range plan.