What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Manager, Veterans Upward Bound position at Wayne State University?
Program Manager, Veterans Upward Bound
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Program Manager, Veterans Upward Bound at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
Job Purpose
The Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) Program Manager is vital in empowering low-income, first-generation veterans to
pursue higher education. This role involves leading efforts to identify, recruit, and enroll veterans into the program while
providing tailored college preparatory and academic support services to help them succeed.
From recruitment to graduation preparation, the VUB Program Manager oversees various services designed to meet
veterans' unique needs. These services include guiding participants through intake and assessment, offering academic
advising and programming, connecting them to tutoring resources, supporting them in selecting colleges, completing
applications, and navigating financial aid processes like Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Veteran Affairs
(VA) education benefits. They also help veterans access their military transcripts, provide coaching and counseling, and
make referrals to community, VA, and institutional resources as needed. In addition to managing participant services, the
Program Manager ensures the daily operation of the program by supervising full-time, part-time, and temporary staff.
Their leadership helps create a supportive and effective environment for veterans transitioning into postsecondary
education. This position reports into the Director, Office of Federal TRIO Programs.
Essential Functions
(Essential functions are the primary duties/major job responsibilities that an employee must be able to perform, with or
without reasonable accommodation. The essential functions are listed in order of importance.)
Develop, implement, and manage programming for the TRIO Veterans Upward Bound Program to
enhance the educational success of participants each year, while ensuring compliance with grant
objectives, U.S. Department of Education regulations, and University policies. 25%
Lead the recruitment, hiring, onboarding, training, supervision, and evaluation of full-time and part-time
staff, fostering a collaborative team dedicated to developing and delivering an innovative academic and
college preparatory curriculum that supports veterans' academic growth and smooth transition into
higher education. 25%
Establish and maintain partnerships with WSU staff and faculty, veteran-serving organizations, and other
military-affiliated community partners to recruit new veterans to the program and ensure the success of
participating veterans. 15%
Prepare and monitor grant budget. Complete annual financial reports. Allocate resources and manage
expenditures in accordance with federal, University, and departmental policies, and procedures. 15%
Develop and manage organized recordkeeping and data collection systems to track participant eligibility,
services provided and assess program outcomes. Maintain and update participant files while monitoring
their performance, retention, program completion, postsecondary enrollment, and progress toward
college graduation. 10%
Prepare and submit the VUB grant proposal and annual performance reports in accordance with
Department of Education guidelines to maintain funding. 5%
Perform other related duties as assigned. 5%
Work Context
(This characterizes the position scope.)
Job Reports to: Director
Leadership Accountability: Implements operating plans
Supervisory Accountability: Supervises professionals and non-managers
Organizational Accountability: Manages department
Financial Accountability: Manages operating budget
Customer Accountability: Interfaces with regulatory authorities
Freedom to Act: Operates with significant autonomy
Unique duties:
Qualifications:
- Master’s degree from an accredited university in education, education administration, educational leadership,
- 3 years of programming experience, preferably in college access and pipeline programs.
- Experience working with veterans or within a community/university/college Veteran Resource Centers, Educational Opportunity Center, TRIO Program preferred.
- Experience with grant proposal writing, management, and reporting preferred.
- Experience using Blumen, Banner, or other data management systems preferred.
- Personal experience overcoming academic, cultural, financial, or other obstacles similar to those by low income, first-generation and /or veteran students preferred.
- Veteran status, with honorable discharge preferred.
- Strong leadership, motivational, programming, and organizational skills.
- Strong interpersonal, communications, presentation, and information management skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to serving and preparing underserved, racially and culturally diverse participants for
Preferred qualifications:
School/College/Division:
H92 - VP Student Affairs
Primary department:
H9212 - Academic College Enrichment Servs
Employment type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Staff/Administrative
Funding/salary information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
- Salary minimum:
- Salary hire maximum:
Working conditions:
Normal office environment.
Job openings:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
- Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
- Prior posting/requisition number:
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
Equal employment opportunity statement:
Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. The university encourages applications from women, people of color and other underrepresented people. Wayne State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
