Director of GEAR UP

• Lead statewide strategic planning to increase educational attainment. 
• Administer programs that help people access and pay for college.
• Advocate for the economic, social, and civic benefits of higher education. 

• We offer flexible/alternative work schedules, wellness activities, and teleworking opportunities.
• Eligible employees who are new parents or legal guardians can bring their infant (six weeks to six months) when returning to work.
• Employees have access to tuition assistance and tuition waiver programs.
• If you have experience advocating for communities of color or others who are experiencing educational inequities-including those directly impacted by the criminal justice system; people who identify as queer, trans, lesbian, gay, or bisexual; veterans; and people with disabilities, you are strongly encouraged to apply, even if you don’t meet all of the desired/preferred qualification listed.

About the Position

The Washington Student Achievement Council seeks a Program Director to provide leadership and staff management of the statewide GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) initiative. GEAR UP is an early college awareness and readiness program funded by state and federal sources. The GEAR UP Director oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of large-scale, school-based outreach efforts, ensuring they effectively support students’ journeys toward postsecondary education. 

This role is best suited for candidates with extensive experience developing, implementing, and evaluating large-scale school-based projects. An ideal candidate is comfortable managing complex projects alongside strategic vision-setting, embraces ongoing evaluation as a powerful avenue for ensuring that college outreach activities effectively support the target populations, and has experience managing large federally funded grant budgets. The role involves extensive collaboration with the Research and College Access Initiatives divisions at WSAC. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to foster productive, positive working relationships with colleagues across divisions and work groups.

Under the direction of the Deputy Executive Director, this position will lead WSAC's efforts to pilot and evaluate diverse strategies from its college access portfolio. To do this, the GEAR UP Director will leverage relationships and collaborative opportunities with GEAR UP schools, which will ensure the implementation of effective and impactful support strategies for students pursuing postsecondary education. The individual in this role will manage and engage in strategic planning and operationalizing of GEAR UP program components, managing day-to-day operations for the program, and continuously grounding programmatic staff in an approach to work that enables learning and adaptation.

Working at WSAC includes opportunities for professional growth, such as training in new tools/techniques, mentorships, and engagement with experienced outside consultants. Lifelong learners will thrive in this position. Furthermore, individuals with direct academic, professional, or lived experience as adult learners will bring significant assets to the role. 

Working Conditions

This is a full time, exempt position and is eligible for benefits, leave, and retirement.  This position is currently eligible for telework, with expectations for in-person meetings in Olympia and project site visits when required or necessary.  Flexible work schedules must be agreed to by the employee and supervisor. 

GEAR UP is a federally funded grant program expected to be funded through September 2031. Funding for this position is contingent upon continuing funding from the U.S. Department of Education each year.  

Some of what you'll be doing includes:

Program Leadership and Staff Supervision

• Providing effective and strategic supervision of project staff, including goal setting, professional development, and performance reviews
• Ensuring the division’s overarching work plan is implemented in a timely manner
• Working with the GEAR UP program staff to create a vision and goals and to develop program-sponsored activities that support the program goals
• Overseeing the planning, development, implementation, and assessment of school-based activities and professional development materials/trainings with partner middle and high schools
• Coordinating development and implementation of program activities with other K-16 and college access initiatives to enhance college access statewide
• Serving as a representative of GEAR UP in state, regional, and national meetings

Operations and Outreach

• Managing day-to-day operations of GEAR UP, including but not limited to oversight of policies and procedures, budget development, and contract administration
• Overseeing submission of reports to meet federal reporting requirements and maintaining compliance with federal grant guidelines
• Developing annual budgets, monitoring and approving expenditures, and approving budget reports on a monthly basis (Budgets include federal funds as well as non-federal matching funds required by the U.S. Department of Education)
• Establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with K-12, higher education, and community partners to increase access to postsecondary success among students in GEAR UP schools and other low-income communities
• Developing professional development plans that meet the goals and objectives of Washington State GEAR UP and align with local and statewide needs and initiatives 

Ongoing Learning and Adaptation

• Working in partnership with colleagues on the Research team to use data and evidence from research to make programmatic decisions
• Leading the design and implementation of organizational learning activities for the GEAR UP team, with input from the Research team
• Directing and overseeing the development of effective evaluation and assessment tools
• Leading the identification, synthesis, and drafting of key findings identified during learning and evaluation of existing GEAR UP initiatives
• Incorporating program staff and community voices into the research design as part of co-interpreting and contextualizing programmatic learning
• Bringing an equity, place-based lens to ongoing learning that GEAR UP staff engage in

Required Education, Experience, and Competencies 

• Master’s degree in education, public policy, management, or a related field.
• Minimum three years working in a leadership and/or management role in a field related to college access, serving underrepresented populations, or public administration.
• Proven supervisory skills.
• Experience successfully developing, implementing, and managing school/educational programs.
• Experience managing and overseeing program budgets.
• Experience working with schools, community-based organizations, or postsecondary institutions.
• Knowledge of school reform and improvement methods, including the latest research and best effective practices.
• Understanding and knowledge of college access and success for low-income learners.
• Familiarity with program evaluation concepts and activities, able to identify methodological challenges and revise research designs accordingly.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Preferred/ Desired Education, Experience and Competencies

• Experience administering federal grant programs
• Experience managing large operational/grant budgets in excess of $3 million annually.
• Demonstrated experience presenting complex information to small and large groups.
• Direct academic, professional, or lived experience as and/or with students and families from low-income backgrounds and students who are the first in their family to pursue postsecondary education
• Fluency, or near-native fluency in Spanish. Ability to read, write and present relevant content in Spanish.
• Two or more years of research experience.
• Understanding of issues related to college access and financial aid.

1. Letter of Application.  A letter of application that addresses how you meet the required education and experience described in this announcement. Applications with generic cover letters will be considered nonresponsive and may eliminate the application from further consideration.
2. Resume.  A detailed resume including all educational and professional experience.
3. References.  A list of names, titles, and current telephone numbers of three (3) employment references.
4. Your responses to the supplemental questions. 

Salary : $120,000 - $125,000