Director, Pre-College Access

Florida Gulf Coast University; Fort Myers (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Gulf Coast University seeks a Director, Pre-College Access & Pathways to provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for CROP, Scholars, and TRIO Talent Search. You will drive program development, grant management, budgeting, and reporting while building partnerships with schools and community organizations.

This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and university requirements and advances college access.

Qualifications

• Twelve years of related full-time experience or a Master's degree plus six years in related roles.
• Experience with federal student programs and TRIO programs.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook).
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Develops and oversees programs supporting College Reach-Out Program, Scholars Program, and TRIO Talent Search to meet goals.
• Leads grant applications and renewals for multiple grants, ensuring compliance and timely submissions.
• Oversees administrative operations and translates strategic goals into actionable initiatives.
• Supervises staff, sets performance standards, and manages hiring and development.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Leadership

Education

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Director, Pre-College Access & Pathways

Job Summary

The Director, Pre-College Access & Pathways, provides strategicleadership and administrative oversight for the College Reach-OutProgram (CROP), Scholars Program, and TRIO Talent Search. TheDirector oversees program development and implementation, grantmanagement and compliance, budgeting, staff supervision,assessment, and reporting to advance college access and educationalopportunities. The position cultivates partnerships with educational institutions, community organizations, and public and private stakeholders to support student success, achieve programobjectives, and ensure compliance with applicable federal, state,and university requirements. FGCU is building a culture of curiosity, commitment andcollaboration. We value employees who successfully work with othersand drive positive change through critical thinking and decisiveaction. If you thrive in an environment of innovation,accountability and mutual respect, you will find a good homehere.

Job Description

Typical duties may include but are not limited to:

• Develops and implements programs, projects and activities thatsupport the strategic goals and objectives of the College Reach OutProgram, Scholars Program, and TRIO Talent Search and serves theeducational needs of schools and community organizations.
• Leads and manages the full grant application and renewalprocess for the four existing grants-CROP, United Way (Lee County),United Way (Hendry County), and TRIO Talent Search. This includespreparing, writing, and submitting all required documentation toensure compliance with funder guidelines and timely submission ofproposals and renewals.
• Provides oversight and direction of the administrativeoperations of the programs. Translates strategic goals andobjectives into operational initiatives.
• Solves operational problems, develops solutions, interprets andadministers policies and procedures, and resolves issues andconcerns.
• Directs the efforts of and supervises departmental staff, setsperformance standards and accountability. Recruits, hires, trains,supervises and evaluates staff to ensure adequate staffing withinbudget.
• Supports the daily operations and activities of the TalentSearch Project, assisting in ensuring alignment with FederalTRIO/Talent Search guidelines, State regulations, universitypolicies, and County School District procedures, under the guidanceand oversight of the Senior Director.
• Formulates and administers the annual operating budgets forCollege Reach-Out Program (CROP), Scholars Program, and TRIO TalentSearch to include federal, state, and local/private grants, as wellas E&G accounts.
• Evaluates operational effectiveness through ongoing assessmentand data analysis; develops and disseminates statistical,analytical, and narrative reports to support data-drivendecision-making, continuous improvement, and compliance withapplicable reporting requirements, including Federal AnnualPerformance Report (APR) and Florida Department of Education (FDOE)quarterly, midyear, and annual reports.
• Works with the U.S. Department of Education Program Officer,Florida Department of Education Personnel/Staff, Council forOpportunities in Education, Southern Association of EducationalOpportunity Personnel, and Florida Association of EducationalOpportunity personnel, local superintendents, principals, schoolcounselors and teachers.
• Responsible for ensuring all programs, activities, and seriescomply with university, state, and federal regulations.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining partnershipsthroughout the University. Oversees communications, promotions, andpublic relations for department to achieve departmental goals andobjectives.
• Cultivates public and private sector partnerships to developoutreach and educational projects.
• Creates multiple publications including brochures, flyers,announcements, invitations, bulletins, newsletters, andhandbooks.
• Plans and implements special projects as assigned.

Other Duties:

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Additional Job Description

Required Qualifications:

• This position requires either twelve years of directly relatedfull-time experience or, as an alternative, a Master's degree froman accredited institution in Education, Counseling, SchoolCounseling, Human Services, Psychology or closely related field andsix years of full-time experience directly related to the jobfunctions.
• Full-time professional experience with federal studentprograms, TRIO programs, programs serving first generation collegestudents or other similar programs.
• Experience operating a personal computer and proficient withMicrosoft Office (Work, Excel, and Outlook).
• Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience,and/or certifications may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Proven ability to think strategically and approach challengeswith creativity.
• Demonstrated track record of reliability, meeting goals, andholding oneself accountable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working effectivelyacross teams.
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved instrategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling,leadership techniques, and coordination of people andresources.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws, statutes,regulations, codes, and standards related to the area ofresponsibility.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communicationskills.
• Ability to interact in a professional manner with staff,faculty, students, and the community in a service-orientedenvironment.
• Ability to take initiative to plan, organize, coordinate andperform work in various situations when numerous and competingdemands are involved.
• Ability to use effective decision making and problem solvingtechniques.
• Ability to think critically and creatively, have a highstandard of integrity, and be motivated to incorporate bestpractices into the organizational structure.
• Ability to operate personal computers with proficiency andlearn new applications and systems.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of independent judgement inthe establishment, interpretation, application, and enforcement ofall rules, regulations, and policies.
• Ability to effectively manage the work of others by providinginformation, guidance, and motivation.

Pay Grade 20 Applications received prior to November 30th, 2026, will receivepriority review.

FGCU is a State University System of Florida member and an EqualOpportunity and Equal Access employer. All qualified applicantswill receive consideration for employment without regard to race,color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.