STAR Project Director

Davenport University; Grand Rapids, Northern (MI, KY); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Davenport University seeks a STAR Project Director in Grand Rapids to lead the SIP grant, coordinating academic affairs, student services, IT, and workforce development. You will liaise with the U.S. Department of Education and ensure timely, compliant execution across units and timelines.

You will supervise grant staff, manage budgets, and guide AI-enabled learning initiatives, faculty development, and sustainability planning to extend project impact beyond the grant period.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher is required or preferred.
• 5+ years of experience administering complex initiatives or grant-funded projects.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams across multiple departments.
• Experience with student success, academic technology, institutional effectiveness, or workforce development.
• Strong organizational, project management, budgeting, and communication skills.
• Experience supervising staff and managing external partnerships.
• Familiarity with federal grant compliance and reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and day-to-day management of STAR grant activities.
• Lead AI-enhanced learning initiatives and workforce readiness programming.
• Supervise grant-funded personnel and coordinate with CIO/IT on tech alignment.
• Oversee timelines, progress, and deliverables with senior leadership.
• Coordinate with external evaluator to assess outcomes and drive improvement.
• Manage project budgets, expenditures, and compliance with regulations.
• Lead dissemination activities and sustainment planning beyond the grant period.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Budgeting

Communication

Grant management

Education

Master's degree or higher

Doctorate preferred

Job description

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 effectiveness, or a related field; doctorate preferred.
• Five (5) or more years of experience administering complex institutional initiatives, grant‑funded projects, or strategic programs.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross‑functional teams and coordinating activities across multiple departments.
• Experience with student success, academic technology, institutional effectiveness, workforce development, or higher education innovation initiatives.
• Strong organizational, project management, budgeting, and communication skills.
• Experience supervising professional staff and managing external partnerships.
• Familiarity with federal grant compliance and reporting requirements preferred.
• Ability to work effectively with executive leadership, faculty, staff, employers, and community partners.
• Business office environment. Prolonged sitting and standing. Use of personal computer and telephone (eye and hand strain). Ability to lift classroom materials, etc., up to 50 lbs.
• Must be able to work an irregular schedule, evenings or Saturday as needed, additional hours during peak times or as required.

Davenport University is committed to building and supporting a diverse community of students, faculty and staff. Davenport University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees, applicants and students without unlawful discrimination based on national origin, race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, veteran, or military status, marital status, height, weight, genetic information, or other protected status

DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER