Director, Educational Talent Search

Western Kentucky University; Bowling Green (KY); Hybrid; USD 58,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, KY seeks a Director to oversee the federally-funded Talent Search program, manage staff and the grant-driven operations, and develop initiatives to boost middle and high school student success and college enrollment.

You will collaborate with school partners and WKU leadership, supervise recruitment and training, administer the annual budget, ensure TRIO compliance, and report outcomes through APR while maintaining audit-ready files.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution.
• Valid driver's license with ability to travel to target schools; some evenings/weekends.
• Ability to lift 25 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all aspects of the Talent Search program, including staff supervision and grant management.
• Develop and implement programs to support middle/high school student success and postsecondary enrollment.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to support program goals.
• Ensure compliance with TRIO and federal grant regulations and report outcomes.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget management

Program administration

Data management

Communication

Education

Master's degree in education, counseling, higher education administration, social work, or related field

Job description

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is a student-centered, applied-research institution committed to providing its students with a transformative academic and social experience and to elevating its surrounding communities. Founded in 1906, WKU is the third largest public four-year institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky with approximately 16,293 students and nearly 2,612 faculty and staff employees.

Western Kentucky University is committed to empowering its campus community. At the heart of our mission, we seek to provide holistic education and employment experiences that prepare students, faculty, and staff to become effective scholars, contributors, and leaders in our ever-evolving communities.

Located 65 miles north of Nashville, TN, and just over 100 miles south of Louisville, KY, WKU's main campus is in Bowling Green, KY - a city with approximately 70,000 residents. Our population is ethnically diverse, with more than 85 languages spoken in and around Bowling Green, and people from 35 nationalities call our community home.

Western Kentucky University seeks to attract talented faculty and staff who are inspired individually to contribute to WKU's strategic plans and ongoing success. We offer comprehensive wellness and health benefits to employees and their families, including domestic partners and other qualified dependents and take pride in providing a workplace culture that supports balancing the responsibilities of work and family life. Paid-time off for holidays, vacation and sick leave, and a tuition discount program for employees and dependents are also provided. Learn more about WKU and Bowling Green at wku.edu/about .

Job Description:

The Director oversees all aspects of the federally-funded Talent Search (TS) program (as outlined in the grant), including staff supervision and management, and the development of programs focused on middle school/high school student success, graduation, and postsecondary enrollment. The Director works with key internal and external stakeholders to implement programs that support thesuccess of TS-eligible populations, including student populations from lower socio-economic backgrounds.This is a grant-funded position. Continuation is dependent upon funding/need.

Administration & Personnel

• Supervise, hire, train, and evaluate program staff
• Manage daily operations across all target schools
• Develop and administer the annual program budget
• Maintain student records and data systems

Program & Direct Services

• Provide academic, career, and financial aid advising
• Coordinate college visits and application assistance
• Lead FAFSA workshops and financial literacy activities
• Organize tutoring, test prep, and student programming

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure compliance with TRIO and federal grant regulations
• Prepare and submit the Annual Performance Report (APR)
• Verify participant eligibility and required documentation
• Maintain audit-ready files for program reviews

Partnerships & Community Relations

• Build relationships with partner school staff and counselors
• Represent the program with colleges and community organizations
• Serve as liaison to WKU leadership and TRIO stakeholders

Requirements:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution (field such as education, counseling, higher education administration, social work, or related field)
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to target schools; ability to work some evenings/weekends
• Ability to lift 25 lbs.

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $58,000 - $60,000

Kentucky state law requires all public institutions of postsecondary education to conduct pre-employment criminal background checks to determine suitability for employment.

Western Kentucky University (WKU) is committed to a policy and practice of providing equal employment and educational opportunities to all individuals. In accordance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Revised 1992, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, no form of discrimination or harassment will be tolerated at WKU on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, age, uniformed services, veteran status, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, or physical or mental disability in admission to career and technical education programs and/or activities, or employment practices.

Persons with disabilities, who need reasonable accommodations to participate in the application and/or selection process, may contact the Office of Institutional Equity at 270-745-5121 for assistance. To report concerns related to WKU's Discrimination and Harassment Policy, No. 0.2040 and/or WKU's Sex and Gender-Based Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Policy, No. 0.2070, please complete the Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Reporting Form. Additional information regarding Title IX, including contact information for the Title IX Coordinator and reporting options, is available on WKU's Title IX website .