STAR Project Director

Davenport University; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 97,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

Davenport University in Grand Rapids seeks a STAR Project Director to lead the Strengthening Institutions Program grant, guiding AI-enhanced learning initiatives, student success infrastructure, and workforce readiness across campus units.

The role reports to the Provost, collaborates with IT and academic leadership, ensures federal compliance, and drives project milestones from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2031.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree required in a relevant field.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the SIP grant with day-to-day operations.
• Coordinate with the U.S. Department of Education and Davenport University leadership.
• Oversee grant budgets, expenditures, and fiscal compliance.
• Collaborate with IT, academic affairs, student services, and workforce development units.
• Monitor progress toward grant objectives and reporting deadlines.
• Lead dissemination activities, including presentations and publications.

Education

Master’s degree in higher education, educational leadership, information technology, business administration, institutional effectiveness

Job description

STAR Project Director

STAR Project Director STAR Project Director | Job Details body Star Project Director STATUS: Full Time Grant Funded DEPARTMENT: Academics LOCATION: Grand Rapids Lettinga Campus REPORTS TO: The Provost DURATION: October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2031 SALARY: $108,000 SUMMARY: The STAR Project Director will provide leadership and day-to-day management of the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant, a comprehensive institutional transformation initiative designed to improve student success, retention, workforce readiness, and AI literacy among Davenport University students. The Project Director serves as the primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Education and is responsible for coordinating all project activities across academic affairs, student services, information technology, institutional effectiveness, and workforce development units. The position requires sufficient institutional authority and direct access to senior leadership to ensure timely implementation of project activities and achievement of grant outcomes.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• – Serve as the primary point of contact with the U.S. Department of Education and ensure compliance with all federal reporting, fiscal, and programmatic requirements.
• – Provide overall leadership and management of all STAR project activities, including AI-enhanced learning initiatives, student success infrastructure, workforce readiness programming, and institutional capacity-building efforts.
• – Supervise grant-funded personnel, including the Data Analyst, Academic Software Developer.
• – Collaborate closely with the CIO and Information Technology Services team through a dotted-line reporting relationship to ensure alignment of project technology initiatives with university IT strategy, infrastructure, security, and data governance requirements.
• – Coordinate implementation of Ellucian Student Signature, AI-powered student success tools, faculty professional development activities, and workforce readiness initiatives.
• – Organize and schedule stakeholder meetings, professional learning sessions, and collaborative development activities.
• – Convene and facilitate STAR Advisory Board meetings and cross-functional steering committee meetings.
• – Collaborate with DU’s Information Technology Services, academic leadership, student services personnel, institutional staff, and employer partners to ensure alignment of project activities.
• – Oversee implementation timelines, monitor progress toward objectives, and ensure timely completion of project deliverables.
• – Coordinate with the external evaluator to assess project outcomes, analyze performance data, and support continuous improvement.
• – Manage project budgets, approve expenditures, and ensure fiscal compliance with federal regulations and university policies.
• – Lead dissemination activities, including conference presentations, publications, and sharing of project outcomes and best practices.
• – Support sustainability planning to ensure continuation of successful project strategies beyond the grant period.
• – Manage project-related logistics, including travel coordination, correspondence, invoice routing, and general administrative tasks.
• – Perform additional duties necessary to ensure successful implementation of the STAR project.
• – Understand and abide by all external and internal regulations and policies. This includes NCAA, GLIAC, and national affiliations associated with athletics or other role-specific regulations.
• – Provides GREAT customer service, anticipating and exceeding the needs of our customers.
• – Demonstrate and promote the University’s Cultural Values.
• – Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• – Master’s degree in higher education, educational leadership, information technology, business administration, institutional effectivenes