Director of Programs

Job no: 530316
Position Type: Staff Full Time
Campus: UMass Boston
Department: Project REACH
Pay Grade: 33
Date opened: 15 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: 29 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

General Summary:

Two of UMass Boston’s TRIO pre-collegiate programs, Talent Search and Talent Search TBACHS, provide participants with the skills and motivation necessary for successful completion of high school and entry into and completion of post-secondary education. Programming includes academic courses, tutorials, college advising, and career awareness activities, social-emotional skill-building, and cultural enrichment. Combined, the two programs are currently funded to serve 1,452 students enrolled at the following partnering Boston Public Schools: Albert Holland School of Technology (7-12), Dearborn STEM Academy (7-12), Charlestown High School, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, Ruth Batson Academy (7-12), and TechBoston Academy (7-12).

A significant component of this position is collaboration with the university's Pre-collegiate TRIO programs and its Early College program. Because Talent Search serves the same and often overlapping populations of students, the Talent Search Director of Programs works closely with Pre-collegiate TRIO and Early College staff to coordinate student services, outreach, recruitment strategies, advising, college-success programming, workshops, and professional development. This collaboration is designed to provide students with a cohesive and comprehensive college access and success experience across programs as well as to maintain cross-collaboration and seamless communication amongst programs.

The Director of Programs will serve as the chief daily operations officer for the Talent Search and Talent Search TBACHS programs. The incumbent will have administrative responsibility for the oversight, development, and implementation of both programs, ensuring that program objectives are being met and that the programs comply with funder regulations and guidelines. The Director of Programs will be responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating programs, personnel, and fiscal matters within the programs and for directly supervising program staff. They will also work closely with the Senior Director of Programs and Initiatives in the formulation of new program procedures, will make decisions with regards to the application of existing procedures, and will assist with the development and preparation of external grant applications and in the identification and pursuit of new funding opportunities. The incumbent will work collaboratively with other departments in the unit and across campus to ensure coordination and integration of activities and will work closely with the Boston Public Schools and community partners to foster collaboration and student success in pre-college programs.

Examples of Duties:

Staff Supervision

Recruit, hire, train, and directly supervise the programs’ core benefitted staff: the Program Coordinator and the five Educational Outreach Counselors.

Recruit, select, onboard, train, and supervise all part-time, non-benefitted staff, working closely with the staff to develop and implement the program’s services; ensure that the federally mandated services are implemented and that the participants are engaged in college preparatory courses and activities. Provide tutors/instructors with support in the form of orientation, one-on-one feedback, planning support, class observations, student evaluations and instructor meetings.

Programming

Plan, direct, and coordinate programs, personnel, and fiscal matters within the programs.

Plan and execute the TS summer component for 50-100 high school and middle school students from Monday-Friday in collaboration with the Program Coordinator, Senior Director of Programs & Initiatives, and other Pathways and Student Success Program staff. This includes but is not limited to student recruitment; staff hiring, training, and supervision; and ensuring the overall success of the summer component.

With the support of the Director of Curriculum and Instruction, build the curriculum for the summer component.

Assume responsibility for the safety and welfare of 50-100 participants and ensure all program materials such as program application, medical documentation and waivers are collected and maintained on file with University Health Services in accordance with university requirements.

Curriculum Development

Work closely with the Senior Director of Programs and Initiatives to develop and implement the programs’ curricula and services

Ensure that the federally mandated services/curriculum are implemented and that program participants are engaged in college-preparatory activities; secure and coordinate accommodations for students in need of English Learner (EL) and/or special education services;

Relationship Development/Collaboration

In consultation with the Senior Director of Programs & Initiatives, maintain positive communication and relationships with the assigned U.S. Department of Education Program Specialist for Talent Search, ensuring that unit leadership and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs is kept informed of high-level matters related to the program.

Develop strong working relationships with district and school personnel, UMass Boston departments, referral sources and community agencies, including Boston after School and Beyond; work closely with the heads of school and staff at partner schools to ensure that programs and activities are integrated into each school’s overall goals and improvement efforts;

Work with the target high schools to enhance their capacity to develop the talent potential of all their students by providing technical assistance, serving on school improvement committees and assisting with the evaluation of improvement efforts;

Collaborate with unit and university departments, particularly the university’s Early College Initiative and other pre-collegiate programs, and with the Boston Public School district, program partner schools, and community organizations that enhance the success of pre-collegiate programs;

Develop partnerships with families to support academic achievement and the successful pursuit of post-secondary education;

Budget Management/Accounting/Purchasing/Procurement

In consultation with the Senior Director of Programs & Initiatives, manage the program budgets for Talent Search (currently $475,977 annually) and Talent Search TBACHS (currently $250,000 annually) to ensure compliance with university, state, and funder regulations and policies;

Work with the SEAS unit’s Business Center as well as with accounting, procurement, human resources, student employment and the like to ensure adherence to university policies and procedures and timely processing of paperwork;

Negotiate and supervise contracts with external institutions and university departments for the use of classrooms and athletic facilities.

Data Management & Reporting

Serve as the point-person to the partner schools for collection of student transcripts, verification of low-income status, and documentation of a student’s participation in a rigorous program of study.

Supervise the collection, maintenance of student and program records, the collection of extensive data and the maintenance of program databases for the purpose of federal/funder and unit reporting and for the purpose of program evaluation;

Prepare and submit annual performance and other progress reports and continuation proposals for all agencies that have such requirements;

In collaboration with the Director of Data and Assessment and the Senior Director of Programs & Initiatives, regularly assess program compliance and student outcomes and evaluate practices and systems to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of program services and the attainment of program outcome objectives;

Fundraising

Work closely with Senior Director of Programs & Initiatives on the development and writing of proposals for federal, state, city, corporation, and foundation funding sources;

Direct Student Service

Provide academic, career and personal counseling to participants, as needed; meet regularly with a caseload of program participants [approx. 50-100 students] to provide guidance regarding their academic progress, college and career goals, secondary and post-secondary course selection and to provide personal wellness counseling, as needed;

Adjudicate student discipline and code of conduct matters;

Encourage alumni involvement in program activities by keeping them informed of upcoming events through social media, direct mailings, and by phone, as appropriate;

Chaperone college trips/tours and field trips, as needed;

Other

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Master's Degree in Education, Psychology, Sociology, Counseling or a closely related field and a minimum of five to seven (5-7) years of administrative experience within an institution of higher education, a secondary school or a related educational or workforce training setting is required. Knowledge of Massachusetts Core (MassCore) or similar standards and various educational assessments, such as SAT and MCAS, required. Demonstrated technical skills in grant and program management, accounting, budgeting, procurement, required. Knowledge of the Boston Public School System or a similar public school district required. Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to address the challenges facing TS-eligible students. Ability to work weekends, evenings and/or holidays required. Motor Vehicle driver’s license required.

Preferred Qualifications:

Thorough knowledge of federal guidelines and requirements for TRIO programs.

Demonstrated knowledge of mandated reporting.

Bilingual in Spanish, Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, or Haitian Creole, or other prominent language spoken by students in the programs’ partner schools.

Familiarity with MyCAP and ACT Skills Frameworks.

Familiarity with CTE pathways, including early college + dual enrollment; workforce opportunities such as apprenticeships, internships; and digital credentialing, preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of postsecondary education and career advising and financial aid;

Knowledge of and demonstrated proficiency in financial management, staff development and supervision and organizational development and advancement;

Knowledge of and demonstrated experience in evaluating programs and developing systems for continuous improvement;

Ability to work cooperatively with university and/or school personnel and demonstrated ability to initiate and nurture collaborative partnerships;

Demonstrated proficiency in staff development and supervision;

Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and meet ongoing deadlines in a fast-paced environment;

Ability to work independently and see tasks through to completion in a timely fashion;

Ability to act with discretion and maintain confidentiality;

Proficiency with office and database software, social media, and web conferencing platforms;

Strong oral and written communication skills;

Demonstrated success in serving students who have faced similar obstacles as those faced by target students;

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills;

Strong problem-solving skills;

Strong commitment to customer service.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date.

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link:

Grade: 33

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position. This is a grant funded position with a current end date of Aug 31, 2031, subject to renewal contingent on funding and university needs.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HR@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.

Applications close: 29 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

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