Director, Gear Up Program

University of Alabama in Huntsville; Alabama; On-site; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alabama in Huntsville seeks a Project Director to lead GEAR UP operations, ensure federal grant compliance, manage budgets, and evaluate program outcomes. You will coordinate with UAH, schools, and community partners to advance college readiness for participating students.

Responsibilities include grant administration, program leadership, and staff supervision, with occasional evening/weekend duties and travel within-state and nationally for conferences.

Qualifications

• Experience managing federal grant programs and budgets.
• Experience collaborating with schools, districts, and community partners.
• Strong leadership, supervision, and staff development skills.
• Commitment to supporting first-generation and underserved students.

Responsibilities

• Grant Administration, Compliance & Fiscal Management – oversee compliance with federal regs and manage annual grant budget.
• Program Leadership & Partner Collaboration – design, implement, and evaluate student services with districts and partners.
• Personnel Supervision & Staff Development – hire, train, supervise, evaluate grant staff.
• Supplemental Functions & Operational Demands – participate in committees, travel regionally and nationally.

Skills

Budget management

Project management

Data analysis

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree (Social Work / Human Services / Business Administration / Public Administration / Education)

Master’s degree (Guidance Counseling, Education, Human Services, Communications, or related)

Job description

Job no: 504577 Department: Access, Connections, and Engagement Work type: Staff Full-time Exempt Location: Alabama Categories: Student Affairs

Purpose of the Position

Operating with a high degree of autonomy, the Project Director is responsible for ensuring full grant compliance, achieving federal program performance milestones, directing grant personnel, managing project budgets, and evaluating program outcomes. The Project Director serves as the primary institutional liaison between UAH, the U.S. Department of Education, local school systems, community agencies, and regional GEAR UP networks to foster high school completion and postsecondary success for participating students.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Grant Administration, Compliance & Fiscal Management - 35%

• Ensure strict compliance with federal legislation, U.S. Department of Education regulations, and UAH policies governing GEAR UP operations and financial management.
• Develop, administer, and monitor the annual grant budget, ensuring appropriate tracking of allowable expenditures, matching contributions, scholarship funds, and partner resources.
• Direct data collection, analysis, and performance tracking in collaboration with external evaluators; prepare and submit required annual performance reports (APR) and final progress reports to federal and institutional stakeholders.
• Formulate short- and long-range strategic plans to assess program effectiveness, drive continuous quality improvement, and maximize resource utilization.

Program Leadership & Partner Collaboration - 30%

• Oversee the design, implementation, and evaluation of student services, including academic enrichment, college preparation, career guidance, and financial literacy initiatives.
• Negotiate and monitor partner district agreements to ensure alignment on service delivery, match requirements, data reporting, and professional development.
• Serve as the primary institutional liaison to school district leadership, community agencies, and local government officials, establishing collaborative relationships that support student outcomes.
• Represent UAH and GEAR UP at state, regional, and national conferences and professional organizations.

Personnel Supervision & Staff Development - 25%

• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate full-time professional grant staff, fostering an accountable, team-oriented work environment.
• Direct the recruitment, onboarding, and supervision of temporary/seasonal personnel for summer academies and special programming, ensuring adherence to institutional Youth Protection Policies (YPP).

Supplemental Functions & Operational Demands - 10%

• Participate in university outreach committees, policy development, and administrative initiatives as assigned.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by institutional leadership or the Vice President for Access, Connections and Engagement.
• Operational Note: Requires occasional evening/weekend commitments and regular in-state travel to partner school districts, alongside periodic out-of-state travel for national conferences.

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, Education, Marketing, or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered.

Experience

• Working directly with secondary school students, parents, educators, and community stakeholders.
• Developing, implementing, or managing college access, student success, youth development, educational outreach, or grant-funded programs.
• Supervising, leading, and evaluating staff and program personnel.
• Supporting first-generation, low-income, and other underserved student populations in achieving academic success, high school completion, and postsecondary readiness.
• Building and maintaining collaborative partnerships with schools, community organizations, and external stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of college admissions, academic preparation requirements, financial aid processes, and college readiness programming.
• Demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and monitor program and project budgets.
• Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze data, prepare reports, and evaluate program outcomes.

Desired Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Guidance Counseling, Education, Human Services, Communications, or a related discipline.
• Grant Management: 5+ years of experience administering federal grant programs (e.g., GEAR UP, TRiO).
• Student Support: 5+ years of experience working directly with low-income and first-generation student populations.
• Curriculum Development: 3+ years of experience in educational curriculum development and program design.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Strategic & Operational: Strategic Mindset | Drives Results | Optimizes Work Processes | Manages Ambiguity
• Leadership & People: Directs Work | Attracts Top Talent | Collaborates | Balances Stakeholders
• Professional Character: Integrity | Communicates Effectively | Demonstrates Self-Awareness

Published Salary (if available)

$57,500 - $70,000

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is an equal opportunity employer (EOE), including an EOE of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.