Director, TRiO Programs

Wucf Tv; Orlando (FL); On-site; USD 76,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Flexible spending account

Employee assistance program

Paid time off

Retirement savings plan

Employee discounts

Education assistance

Job summary

University of Central Florida (UCF) seeks a Director of TRiO Programs to provide transformational leadership across TRiO initiatives, including Upward Bound and Student Support Services. You will guide staff development, grant stewardship, and long-term planning to expand educational opportunities for first-generation and low-income students.

This is a Contracts & Grants funded position. Employment depends on funding; the director will lead a team focused on program innovation, partnerships, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree and 8+ years of relevant experience
• 3+ years of leadership experience
• Equivalent combination of education and experience under Fla. Stat. 112.219(6)

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for all UCF TRIO programs in alignment with the Department of Education's mission.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff, ensuring programs meet established goals and objectives.
• Stay informed about current trends, best practices, and policies related to educational access and success for disadvantaged students.
• Design and manage research components related to Competitive Preference Priorities for all UCF TRIO grants; submits and monitors IRB protocols.
• Oversee the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of TRIO programs.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Grant stewardship

Staff development

Partnership building

Program evaluation

Grant writing

Data analysis

Budget management

Higher ed leadership

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Job description

TRiO Programs

TRiO Programs: TRiO Programs is home to four federally funded pre-collegiate and collegiate grant programs. Our collegiate programs, PRIME STEM and Project BEST are Student Support Services programs. Housed on UCF’s main campus, these programs serve undergraduate college students who are first-generation and/or low-income. Both programs offer academic support services, opportunities, and resources to enhance personal skills and academic excellence.

Our pre-collegiate programs, Project ACE, and Project EDGE, serve students who attend either Apopka High School or Edgewater High School (Orange County Public Schools). Upward Bound aids a small cohort of high school students to prepare them for post-secondary programs.

The Opportunity

The Director of TRiO Programs is a transformational leadership opportunity for a passionate leader committed to expanding educational opportunity and student success. This position provides strategic leadership for UCF's federally funded TRiO initiatives, including Student Support Services and Upward Bound programs, serving first-generation college students, students from limited-income backgrounds, and students with disabilities. The director will guide program innovation, staff development, grant stewardship, and long-term planning to ensure meaningful outcomes for the students and communities we serve. As Director of TRiO Programs, you'll lead a talented team dedicated to empowering students from high school through college completion. This role is ideal for a visionary leader who brings a strong foundation in grant-funded programs, enjoys building partnerships, and is energized by creating innovative programs that help students overcome barriers and achieve their educational goals.

This is a Contracts & Grants (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for all UCF TRIO programs in alignment with the Department of Education's mission.
• Provide leadership and guidance to staff, ensuring programs meet established goals and objectives.
• Stay informed about current trends, best practices, and policies related to educational access and success for disadvantaged students.
• Design and manage research components related to Competitive Preference Priorities for all UCF TRIO grants; submits and monitors IRB protocols.
• Oversee the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of TRIO programs.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's degree and 8+ years of relevant experience, including 3+ years of leadership experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience pursuant to Fla. Stat. 112.219(6).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience providing leadership and oversight for federally funded educational access, college readiness, student success, or youth development programs.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex program budgets and ensuring compliance with grant funding requirements.
• Experience supervising professional staff and leading high-performing teams in higher education, K-12, nonprofit, or community-based settings.
• Experience with federal TRiO programs, including Upward Bound and/or Student Support Services programs.
• Experience utilizing data, assessment, and program evaluation strategies to measure outcomes and drive continuous improvement.
• Experience writing, securing, renewing, or administering federal, state, or foundation grants.

Special Instructions to the Applicants

The Director of TRIO Programs position is fully funded through, and contingent upon, federal grants from the Department of Education. This is a Contracts & Grants (C&G) funded position. Employment is subject to availability of funding and may cease at the time funding for this employment is depleted.

All applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position, and the university cannot accommodate H‑1B transfers or employment-based visa processing for individuals currently sponsored by another employer. Finalist will undergo a Level 1 and 2 background check per UCF requirements for working with minor youth.

This position requires a Level 2 Background Check through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Clearinghouse prior to employment. For more information, please visit the FDLE Clearinghouse: https://info.flclearinghouse.com/ Position requires a valid Class E driver’s license.

This position may involve driving to various locations on and off campus to conduct University business.

Company Culture & Benefits

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 12 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference.

Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills, and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers: Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program Paid time off, including annual and sick time off and paid holidays Retirement savings options Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions Education assistance And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide. Dive into our Total Rewards Calculator to discover the diverse selection available to you, giving you a glimpse into the benefits that together shape your comprehensive rewards package at UCF.

Work Schedule

Department Access and Community Engagement - TRiO Work Schedule Monday-Friday; 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Occasional evening or weekend hours for program support.

Employment Details

Type of Appointment Regular

Expected Salary $75,809.00 to Negotiable

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University of Central Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law.

The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.

As a Florida public university, the University of Central Florida makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request.

UCF is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

Contact

For general application or posting questions, please email [e-mail].

If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please email [e-mail].

Background

A Foundation for Success Founded in 1963 to provide talent for Central Florida and the growing U.S. space program, UCF has been making an impact on the state, the nation — and outer space — ever since. With 12 colleges and more than 230 degree programs, follow your passion at one of our campus locations designed to help you succeed. From the main campus in east Orlando to UCF Downtown and Rosen College of Hospitality Management to the Academic Health Sciences Campus, you’ll have the opportunity to learn in the heart of your industry. UCF also has multiple regional locations and fully online programs — including online bachelor’s degrees, online graduate degrees, online certificates and more — to ensure that you can achieve your dreams whenever and wherever you want.

Job Posting End Date

08-26-2026-12-00-AM