Title III Project Director

The Title III Project Director provides leadership and day-to-day management for Highland Community College’s Title III project and is responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of all grant activities. The Director oversees project planning, personnel, budgets, evaluation, reporting, records management, and compliance with U.S. Department of Education requirements. Working collaboratively across the College, the Director ensures that grant activities achieve established objectives, remain on schedule and within budget, and contribute to sustainable improvements in institutional capacity and student success. The Title III Project Director reports directly to the President.

This position is funded through the Title III grant and is contingent upon the continued availability of grant funding.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

• Provide day-to-day leadership and administration of the Title III project and ensure activities are completed on schedule and in accordance with the approved grant.
• Ensure compliance with applicable U.S. Department of Education regulations, grant terms and conditions, institutional policies, and federal requirements.
• Coordinate implementation of grant activities, objectives, performance measures, timelines, and deliverables.
• Manage the Title III grant budget, monitor expenditures, maintain appropriate documentation, prepare annual budgets, and ensure funds are used in accordance with the approved budget and federal requirements.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of grant-funded personnel and participate in the hiring, onboarding, development, and evaluation of project staff.
• Coordinate with the external evaluator and appropriate College personnel to monitor project progress, assess outcomes, evaluate effectiveness, and implement continuous improvement strategies.
• Collaborate with Institutional Research and other College departments to establish effective data collection, participant tracking, assessment, and reporting processes.
• Coordinate implementation of grant-supported technology, student success, advising, retention, and institutional capacity-building initiatives.
• Prepare and submit required reports, documentation, and other information to the U.S. Department of Education and College leadership.
• Maintain complete and accurate grant records and develop and maintain a Title III Policies and Procedures Manual consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, federal guidance, and College policies.
• Collaborate effectively with vice presidents, faculty, Student Affairs staff, Institutional Research, Business Services, and other College personnel and external partners to achieve project objectives and support the long-term institutionalization of successful grant activities.
• Participate in required Title III meetings, conferences, and professional development activities and perform other related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides leadership and supervision for personnel assigned to the Title III project. Responsibilities include participating in the selection, onboarding, supervision, and evaluation of grant-funded personnel; planning, assigning, and monitoring work; supporting professional development; addressing performance concerns; and ensuring personnel activities align with College policies, federal requirements, and approved grant objectives.

QUALIFICATIONS  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in project management, grant administration, higher education administration, program administration, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple departments, stakeholders, timelines, and deliverables.
• Experience with budget management, data collection, assessment, reporting, or program evaluation.
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, maintain detailed records, and work independently with a high degree of accountability.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, regulations, procedures, and other complex requirements.
• Proficiency with standard office technology, data systems, and project-management tools.
• Ability to travel as necessary and occasionally work outside normal business hours.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in higher education administration, business administration, public administration, project management, education, or a related field.
• Experience administering federal or state grants.
• Experience with U.S. Department of Education grants, particularly Title III or other institutional capacity-building programs.
• Experience working in higher education, preferably at a community college.
• Experience supervising employees or coordinating the work of cross-functional teams.
• Experience with student success, advising, retention, institutional effectiveness, or technology implementation initiatives.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex federal regulations, grant requirements, institutional policies, and technical documents.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, budgets, and deliverables.
• Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and communicate quantitative and qualitative data related to project performance and outcomes.
• Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and timely reports for the U.S. Department of Education and College leadership.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to identify issues, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, students, external evaluators, consultants, and other project stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and demonstrate a high degree of integrity and accountability.
• Ability to work independently while effectively leading and coordinating cross-functional teams.
• Commitment to student success, continuous improvement, collaboration, and the mission of Highland.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to communicate, operate standard office equipment, and perform duties associated with a professional office environment. The position may require occasional lifting or moving of materials weighing up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus along with the ability to view a computer screen throughout much of the day.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position generally operates in a professional office environment and requires regular interaction with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external partners. The position may require travel between College locations, attendance at meetings or conferences, and occasional work outside normal business hours.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.