Assistant Director, Upward Bound

Category:: Professional & Support Staff
Subscribe::
Department:: Upward Bound
Locations:: Vestal, NY
Posted:: Sep 1, 2026
Closes:: Oct 16, 2026 - 11:59 PM EDT
Type:: Full-time
Salary Type:: Annually
Position ID:: 201795
About The Research Foundation for SUNY at Binghamton :

Binghamton University is a premier public R1 research institution in the State University of New York (SUNY) system that unites more than 130 broadly interdisciplinary educational programs with some of the most vibrant research in the nation. Our unique character - shaped by our mission, outstanding academics, facilities, and community life - promotes extraordinary student success, research, and service; Binghamton University is where our students, faculty and staff thrive

Working at Binghamton University is about more than having a great job - it is about having the opportunity to flourish in an exciting, engaging environment. Our faculty and staff appreciate Binghamton's collegial and inclusive culture and its commitment to excellence, education, innovation and civic engagement. Our diverse campus community contributes to our success. Embedded within the University, The Research Foundation (RF) exists to serve SUNY and to capitalize on the scope, scale and diversity of SUNY as an engine of New York State's innovation economy. We are the largest comprehensive university-connected research foundation in the country. The RF is mission focused and serves Binghamton University by providing essential administrative services that enable faculty to focus their efforts on the education of students and the performance of life-changing research. As a private not-for-profit corporation, we support nearly $1 billion in SUNY research activity annually, providing sponsored programs administration and commercialization support services to SUNY faculty performing research in numerous disciplines.

The RF offers a comprehensive benefits package that is a valuable part of our total compensation. Included in the benefits package are comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, dependent care and healthcare spending accounts, employer retirement contributions at 7% of earnings, retiree health benefits and more! The RF promotes employee work/life balance through generous paid leave offerings and wellness resources for employees and their families. Furthermore, our 10 Perks of Working at the RF provides an at-a-glance view of our top benefits that make us a great place to work. Employees receive support throughout their career with access to professional development opportunities across campus, college savings plans, access to public student loan forgiveness programs, a tuition waiver program, and much more!

Job Description:

The Assistant Director of Upward Bound is responsible for assisting with the administration, implementation, and continuation of U.S. Department of Education-funded Upward Bound Programs. This position supports the overall mission to retain and prepare first-generation, low-income high school students participating in the Upward Bound Program for college enrollment.

Under the guidance of the Director of Upward Bound, the Assistant Director will:

• Curriculum Design Leadership: Lead program curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation to align with Upward Bound goals.
• Advising & Academic Counselors Leadership: Provide direct supervision of Academic Counselors; set advising standards, monitor caseloads, and ensure Student Access information is regularly updated and complete.
• Staff Leadership and Development: Assist the Director in the selection, training, supervision, development, and evaluation of undergraduate and graduate student staff. Mentors and works closely with student staff, particularly during the summer component.
• Data Management, Compliance, & Reporting: Assist the Director with data collection and reporting for federal and institutional outcomes; ensure data integrity by overseeing participant file compliance and interpreting academic records to track student progress.
• Recruitment Leadership and Operations: Assist the Director in developing and executing strategic recruitment plans to meet goals with school partners, families, and community stakeholders by managing recruitment events and partnerships, while communicating clearly with school staff, students, and parents about the application process and coordinating active recruitment activities such as classroom presentations, tabling, mailings, and securing referrals.
• Programming, Communications, and Outreach: Coordinate year-round academic, social, and enrichment programming for students and families, while developing strategic communications and promotional materials to enhance program visibility and stakeholder engagement.
• Community and Partner Engagement: Represent the program on university and external committees that promote and enhance program effectiveness and visibility on campus and within the community.
• Operations and Compliance Coordination: Oversee daily summer operations and general program functions; proactively escalate compliance or operational issues to the Director with recommended solutions.

Requirements:

Minimum requirements:

• Master's degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education, Education, Social Work, or a related field.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage complex, competing priorities effectively.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, and ability to engage various audiences clearly.
• Demonstrated expertise in college advising and connecting students with campus resources.
• A self-directed, proactive professional capable of managing multiple concurrent projects independently.
• Proven track record of building collaborative relationships with stakeholders, including university administration, school personnel, students, and families.
• Flexibility to work evening and weekend hours as needed to support program activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with access and opportunity programs that serve underrepresented students, such as income-eligible or first-generation college students.

Additional Information:

Salary: $60,000 - $70,000 annually.

This is a fully in-person position located at Binghamton University's main campus in Vestal, NY.

Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Employee Benefits: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York offers a comprehensive benefits package that is a valuable part of total compensation. This includes medical, dental, vision, dependent care subsidy and other benefits such as SUNY Tuition Assistance. Furthermore, our 10 Perks of Working at the RF provides an at-a-glance view of our top benefits that make us a great place to work.

Research Foundation Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law.

The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

The Research Foundation for SUNY is a private, not for profit corporation and is a separate employer from SUNY and the State of New York and offers separate compensation and benefit plans.

Binghamton University is a tobacco-free campus.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should submit the following:

• Resume or CV
• Cover letter/Letter of Interest
• Names and contact information of three references.

You may add additional files/documents after uploading your resume.

After filling out the contact information, you will be directed to the upload page.

Returning Applicants - Login to your The Research Foundation for SUNY at Binghamton Careers Account to check your completed application.

Please contact us if you need assistance applying through this website.

URL: www.binghamton.edu/trio/upward-bound/