Project Director

UMBC: Recent Jobs; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 83,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Leave 22 days

Sick Leave 15 days

Holidays 15

Personal Days 3

Tuition Remission

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plans

Professional Development

Wellness Opportunities

Job summary

UMBC’s George and Betsy Sherman Center seeks a Project Director for the Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP). The role oversees administration, strategic vision, and expansion efforts, including grant-writing and securing diverse funding.

You will lead cohorts, manage staff development, and drive data-informed improvements across the early childhood ecosystem in Maryland. The position requires a Master’s degree and 5 years of leadership, plus budget oversight and fundraising

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in related field.
• 5 years of progressive leadership experience.
• 1 year of program and budget oversight and fundraising.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google.
• Strong organization and ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work diplomatically with faculty, staff, and fellows.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the strategic vision for the leadership program in alignment with the Sherman Center, MECLP Advisory Committee, the Provost’s Office, and the university’s overall mission.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure diverse external revenue-generation strategies and funding streams, including public-sector, philanthropic, corporate, foundations and individual donors.
• Develop long-term program sustainability including potential student scholarship opportunities.
• Lead grant-writing initiatives and serve as Principal Investigator (PI) for local, state, and federal grants, working with members of the Advisory Committee, Sherman Center, and Business Specialist.
• Maintain administrative and financial records for MECLP.
• Selection and support for MECLP Cohorts; oversee staff development of the MECLP Program.
• Oversee the compilation, analysis, and utilization of program data to drive continuous quality improvement. Establish rigorous metrics to evaluate and demonstrate the program’s impact on fellows’ career trajectories and the broader early childhood ecosystem.

Skills

Leadership experience

Budget oversight

Fundraising

Organization

Written and verbal communication

Diplomacy

Education

Master’s degree in Early Childhood education, Educational Leadership, Public Policy, Non‑Profit Management, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google

Job description

Department

The George and Betsy Sherman Center is committed to excellence in urban schools. Established by a visionary gift to UMBC from George and Betsy Sherman, the Center supports transformational education in four connected areas:

• Outstanding teaching: The Sherman Teacher Scholars Program develops STEM and early childhood educators who are skilled, passionate and committed to an excellent education for all children.
• School Community Partnerships: The Sherman School Partnerships program works with schools, families and community groups to create innovative, responsive, and effective partnerships that help students thrive.
• Early Childhood Learning: The Sherman Center engages parents, community groups, and schools to ensure that a child’s early years become the foundation for life-long learning.
• Research: The Sherman Center supports applied research linking the insights of UMBC’s outstanding faculty with the daily educational experience of school communities.

Position Overview

The Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP), housed in The George and Betsy Sherman Center, is an early childhood workforce development program designed to develop and support early childhood leaders who will generate positive change poised to shape the future Maryland's early childhood ecosystem and significantly improve school readiness and related outcomes for early learners, particularly disadvantaged and vulnerable children and their families. The Project Director will oversee the administration and direction of this Program.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the strategic vision for the leadership program in alignment with the Sherman Center, MECLP Advisory Committee, the Provost’s Office, and the university’s overall mission.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure diverse external revenue-generation strategies and funding streams, including public‑sector, philanthropic, corporate, foundations and individual donors.
• Develop long‑term program sustainability including potential student scholarship opportunities.
• Lead grant‑writing initiatives and serve as Principal Investigator (PI) for local, state, and federal grants, working with members of the Advisory Committee, Sherman Center, and Business Specialist.
• Maintain administrative and financial records for MECLP.
• Selection and support for MECLP Cohorts; oversee staff development of the MECLP Program.
• Oversee the compilation, analysis, and utilization of program data to drive continuous quality improvement. Establish rigorous metrics to evaluate and demonstrate the program’s impact on fellows’ career trajectories and the broader early childhood ecosystem.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Early Childhood education, Educational Leadership, Public Policy, Non‑Profit Management, or a related field.
• 5 years of progressive leadership experience
• 1 year of program and budget oversight and fundraising
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google
• Strong organization and ability to make deadlines
• Ability to deal diplomatically with faculty, staff, and fellows
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to bridge higher education, early childhood systems, or educational non‑profits.
• Teaching/instructional experience
• 2+ Years in Early Childhood Education
• Experience seeking out grants and writing proposals
• Understanding of the early childhood education context in Baltimore and Maryland

Benefits

UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions: Full benefits summary click here

• 22 Days of Annual Leave
• 15 Days of Sick Leave
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• Much more

Equal Opportunity Statement

UMBC is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Applications from women, minority group members, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Title IX

As an institution that receives federal financial assistance, UMBC adheres to Title IX and does not discriminate on the basis of sex. For more information about Title IX and contact information for Title IX Coordinator click here.

Accommodation

If you require a reasonable accommodation for a disability for any part of the employment process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 410-455-2337 or MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Work Authorization

As required by the 1986 Immigration Act, be prepared to present acceptable documentation upon hire showing your identity and that you are a U.S. citizen or an alien who is authorized to work.

Background Screening Statement

A background check will be required.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Upload a cover letter and a resume.

Salary

Salary: $83,000 - 94,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Hours

Full‑time

Type

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt