Description
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The Director of the Provost Scholars Program provides visionary leadership and administrative oversight for a premier university-school partnership designed to expand the academic and career horizons of East Cleveland and Cleveland Metropolitan School District middle and high school students. Reporting to the Executive Director of the Office of Pre-Collegiate Programs, the director is responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation of all program components. The director will lead efforts to mitigate social drivers of health that impact student success by leveraging university and community resources. This role requires a high degree of change leadership to evolve program offerings, strengthen relationship building with internal and external stakeholders, and ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of the scholars' journey.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Lead strategic planning. Develop and execute a comprehensive multi-year strategic plan for the Provost Scholars Program aligned with the university's mission of social impact and community engagement. Lead change initiatives to modernize program delivery and improve outcomes. Direct the recruitment, training, and supervision of program staff and university mentors. (30%)
Develop and evaluate program. Design innovative curriculum and experiential learning opportunities that prepare scholars for post-secondary success. Establish robust data collection and evaluation frameworks to measure program efficacy, student persistence, and longitudinal outcomes. Utilize data-driven insights to pivot strategies and improve program quality. (25%)
Serve as a liaison between Case Western Reserve University, the East Cleveland City School District, Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and community partners. Cultivate deep relationships with faculty, alumni, and development to secure mentorship and financial support. Represent the program at local and national conferences to enhance its reputation. (20%)
Mitigate social drivers of health and manage resources. Identify and address social drivers of health--including food insecurity, housing instability, and healthcare access--that create barriers to educational attainment for scholars. Develop a network of resource providers and implement interventions that support the holistic well-being of scholars and their families. (15%)
Manage finance and operations. Oversee the program budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with strategic priorities. Identify grant opportunities and lead the preparation of proposals to secure external funding. Ensure compliance with university policies regarding minors on campus and safety protocols. (10%)
NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Perform other duties as assigned. (<1%)
CONTACTS
Department: Daily contact with the assistant director of the provost scholars program. Frequent contact with the executive director of pre-collegiate programs. Regular contact with the director of strategic initiatives, assistant director of operations, and the pre-collegiate programs project manager.
University: Frequent contact with the designated provost scholars faculty partner, faculty and staff mentors, potential mentors and university seminar speakers, and university-wide K-12 program directors (faculty and staff). Regular contact with the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and the School of Medicine faculty and staff for the execution of programming, and development and foundation relations staff for grant support, fundraising, and donor relations. Occasional contact with the Office of the Provost staff for program and special events planning, the Office of Admissions and Enrollment for Scholar advisement and readiness for college and career.
External: Frequent contact with school superintendents and administrators in partner schools and districts. Regular contact with faith leaders, city leaders and elected officials, community partners and youth-serving organizations, Scholars and families, and potential donors as directed to perform essential functions.
Students: Regular contact with undergraduate, graduate and professional students related to tutoring, academic research, and program assessment, evaluation, and reporting.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Directly supervise the assistant director of the provost scholars program. Oversee the work of students, mentors, tutors, and seasonal staff.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience/Licensing: Bachelor's degree in education, educational administration, higher education, or related field of study and 7 or more years of experience in higher education, K-12 education or administration, non-profit management, or related fields including experience in academic and/or community settings with underserved students, public school administrators, teachers, parents, and stakeholders -OR- Master's degree in education, educational administration, or related field of study and 5 years of related experience. Preferred experience working with university faculty and staff. Must have a valid driver's license and take university driver's training.
REQUIRED SKILLS
Proven track record in strategic planning and program evaluation is required.
Demonstrated ability in change leadership, with the capacity to navigate complex organizational structures and inspire stakeholders toward a shared vision.
Innovative future thinker with the ability to develop and drive strategy.
Employee management and relations skills with the ability to educate and train staff, delegate and supervise effectively.
Exceptional relationship-building skills; ability to communicate effectively with varied audiences, from middle school students to executive university leadership.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable program improvements.
Program leadership and development experience.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
Practical knowledge of social drivers of health, experience implementing trauma-informed practices in educational settings, and experience working with underserved youth and communities in a variety of settings.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite, the Internet, and commonly used software.
Willingness to learn and work with artificial intelligence (AI) tools and technologies.
Ability to demonstrate successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
Ability to meet consistent attendance.
Ability to effectively interact with colleagues, supervisors, youth and families, community partners and other stakeholders, and customers face-to-face.
WORKING CONDITIONS
General office environment. The position requires frequent travel to local school districts and occasional evening or weekend work to support program activities and family and community engagement events. May have to put in extra hours during preparation for and during the academic-year and summer programs. Must have a driver's license and take university driver's training.
