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Position Title:

Veterans Upward Bound Program Director

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Outreach Program Manager

Job Duties:

The Director of Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) provides strategic leadership and oversight for all aspects of the program, ensuring alignment with U.S. Department of Education TRIO grant guidelines, institutional goals, and student success priorities. The Director is responsible for program planning, implementation, evaluation, and compliance while managing staff, budgets, and performance outcomes. The Director serves as the primary liaison between Veterans Upward Bound, Center for Pre-College Programs, and community partners, promoting equitable access to higher education for veterans and supporting their academic and career success.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Program Design, Implementation & Student Services

Oversee the design and implementation of academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, and college readiness programming.
Plan workshops and activities that support academic, personal, and career development for participants.

Personnel, Budget & Operational Management

Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff, promoting professional development and fostering a collaborative, student-centered work environment.
Manage and monitor program budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and adherence to funding regulations.

Strategic Leadership, Compliance & Program Oversight

Provide strategic leadership and vision for the Veterans Upward Bound program in alignment with institutional and federal priorities.
Develop and execute program goals and objectives in accordance with U.S. Department of Education TRIO guidelines.
Monitor program performance, evaluate outcomes, and ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Use data to inform program improvements and strategic planning.

Grant Administration, Reporting & Data Management

Lead the development and submission of the competitive federal grant renewal and other funding proposals.
Prepare and submit required internal and external reports, including the Annual Performance Report (APR), in a timely and accurate manner.
Maintain data systems to track participant progress, measure outcomes, and evaluate program effectiveness.

Recruitment, Partnerships & Institutional Engagement

Develop and implement recruitment strategies to identify and enroll eligible veterans through partnerships with community organizations and agencies.
Build partnerships with campus departments, veteran-serving agencies, and community organizations to enhance services and visibility.
Represent Veterans Upward Bound and the Center for Pre-College Programs at meetings, events, and conferences.
Participate in institutional committees and initiatives that promote access, opportunity, and student success.

Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of Veterans Upward Bound, Center for Pre-College Programs, and the Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success.

Department:

Enrollment Management - TRIO & Pre-College

Compensation:

$55,000 - $62,000
(Final salary offer will be determined based on qualifications and experience)

Position Summary:

The Director of Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) is responsible for the overall management and leadership of the program. This position ensures that all grant objectives and compliance requirements are met while fostering an environment that supports the academic and personal growth of veteran participants.

The Director executes strategic goals and operational plans, organizes and implements programming and services, manages staff performance, monitors program outcomes, and oversees budget execution. The role requires consistent evaluation of program effectiveness, preparation of annual performance reports, and ongoing engagement with campus and community stakeholders to advance the mission of the Veterans Upward Bound program and the Center for Pre-College Programs. The Director also leads the development and submission of the program’s competitive five-year grant renewal to the U.S. Department of Education.

Required Qualifications:

Master’s degree in educational administration, social work, counseling, or a related field.
Experience working with adults and/or veterans in an educational, advising, or student support capacity.
Experience designing and facilitating academic, college readiness, or student success programming.
Experience managing program budgets and ensuring compliance with institutional, state, or grant requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

Knowledge of and experience administering U.S. Department of Education TRIO programs or other federally funded grants.
Experience in community outreach, recruitment, public speaking, and relationship-building with external partners.
Experience supervising professional and/or student staff.
Experience with program evaluation, data collection, outcomes assessment, and reporting systems.
Demonstrated commitment to veteran student success and educational access in higher education.
Experience working with low-income, first-generation, or educationally disadvantaged adult populations.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are required to apply online and provide:

1. Cover letter
2. Resume/CV that addresses your professional level work experience as it relates to all required and preferred qualifications.

Finalist candidate(s) being considered for hire will be required to provide three professional/supervisor references through an external reference checking tool. References will not be contacted prior to candidates being notified.

In instances where the Search and Screen Committee is unable to ascertain from the candidates’ application materials whether they meet any of the qualifications, they may be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications.

Apply electronically by the application deadline date of May 3rd 2026. Questions about this position should be directed to Gianna Pacioni at gpacioni@uwm.edu.

Reasonable Accommodations
Pursuant to university policy, UWM provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are employees or applicants for employment. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual with a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact uwm-jobs@uwm.edu or 414-229-4463. This job announcement and other material on this site will be made available in alternate formats upon request to an individual with a disability.

Confidentiality of Applicant Materials
UWM is a State agency and subject to Wisconsin’s Open Records Law. UWM will not, however, reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except as may be required by Wisconsin’s Open Records law. In certain circumstances, the identities of “final candidates” and/or the identity of the appointed applicant must be revealed upon request.

CBC and Reference Check Policy
Employment will require a criminal background check. UWM takes the prevention of sexual misconduct seriously. As such, you and your references will be required to answer questions regarding any past findings of sexual violence and sexual harassment or any pending allegations of sexual violence or sexual harassment.

Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (Clery Act)
For the UWM Annual Security and Fire Safety Reports (i.e., Clery Report), which includes statistics about reported crimes and information about campus security policies, see http://www.cleryact.uwm.edu/, or call UWM’s Dean of Students Office, Student Union 345 at (414) 229-4632 for a paper copy.

Employment Authorization
In compliance with federal law, all persons at the time of their start date will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.