Upward Bound Program Director

Job Description

Embry-Riddle: Celebrating 100 Years of Leadership in Aviation and Aerospace

As Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University marks its Centennial, we proudly celebrate 100 years of advancing the future of flight and aerospace education. With vibrant residential campuses in Daytona Beach, FL, and Prescott, AZ — and a Worldwide network spanning nearly 120 global locations — Embry-Riddle stands as the world’s largest aviation and aerospace university.

For a century, we have led innovation in STEM education, serving more than 30,000 students around the globe. Our cutting-edge programs in Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Technology, Engineering, Safety, Security, and Space empower the next generation of leaders to shape the future of flight, exploration, and discovery.

As we launch our next century, we remain committed to excellence, innovation, and preparing graduates who will transform industries and redefine what is possible.

The Opportunity:

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott, Arizona campus is seeking a dedicated and student-centered Upward Bound Director to lead and manage its federally funded TRIO Upward Bound program. This position plays a vital role in preparing students for success in postsecondary education by providing academic instruction, student support services, educational programming, and opportunities for personal and academic growth.

The Director is responsible for ensuring the program meets the objectives and requirements established by the U.S. Department of Education (DoE), including academic-year and summer programming, grant administration, fiscal management, staff supervision, and program assessment. Through collaboration with university faculty, staff, community partners, and federal agencies, the Director will help students develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to succeed at the university level.

The Director will also monitor student progress and maintain required reporting to assess program outcomes and identify opportunities for continued improvement.

Job Responsibilities:

Program Planning and Reporting

- Collaborate with the Academic Coordinator to develop and implement program timelines, curricula, student services, and educational activities in accordance with grant requirements.
- Collaborate with the Academic Coordinator to ensure academic programming includes instruction in mathematics, laboratory science, composition, literature, and foreign language.
- Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with university faculty, staff, and administration to support program objectives.
- Develop and maintain a comprehensive needs assessment system in accordance with U.S. Department of Education and TRIO program requirements.
- Prepare and submit required annual programmatic reports accurately and by established deadlines.
- Monitor student progress and evaluate program outcomes to identify opportunities for improvement.

Staff Development and Supervision

- Participate in the selection and evaluation of program personnel and coordinate with Human Resources to ensure applicants meet institutional requirements.
- Collaborate with the Academic Coordinator and Lead Resident Assistant to develop and oversee the summer program schedule.
- Collaborate with the Academic Coordinator to coordinate the development, implementation, and oversight of training for Upward Bound staff and faculty.
- Conduct staff meetings to assess program effectiveness, address challenges, and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Provide direction and supervision to program personnel and student staff in support of program goals.

Grant Administration and Fiscal Management

- Develop, implement, and maintain fiscal tracking processes in coordination with the Assistant Dean of Research.
- Monitor and reconcile program budgets using institutional financial reports and required Department of Education fiscal reporting.
- Oversee the program’s Blumen tracking system to support assessment, data management, and reporting requirements.
- Coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Research and Administration (OSRA) and the Department of Education to maintain communication and ensure grant compliance.
- Monitor program expenditures and ensure responsible stewardship of grant funds.

Program Operations and Community Engagement

- Serve as the program’s liaison with the university, community organizations, federal and state agencies, and other TRIO programs.
- Oversee the daily operations and coordination of Upward Bound program services.
- Develop, implement, and maintain program policies and procedures in collaboration with university leadership.
- Ensure program activities and procedures align with university risk management requirements and policies governing work with minors.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by grant and university leadership.

About us

For nearly 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries.

Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow.

Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry-Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellence—and help shape the future of aerospace.

Perks Await You at Embry-Riddle!

- Generous Time Off: Enjoy up to 18 days of paid leave in your first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued throughout the year. You'll also receive 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day.
- Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26.
- Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution – with no vesting period.
- Personal Leave: Relax with 15 days of personal leave for non-exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full-time employees in your first year.

Qualifications

Required Education

- Master’s degree, preferably in Educational Administration or a related field.

Required Experience

- Minimum of two years of experience in student support, grant management, and program management.

Required Skills and Abilities

- Demonstrated knowledge of grant administration and fiscal management.
- Experience managing educational programs and student support services.
- Strong supervisory, leadership, and staff development skills.
- Ability to plan, coordinate, and evaluate academic and student development programming.
- Strong organizational, communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet reporting deadlines, and make independent decisions.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with university stakeholders, community partners, and external agencies.

Additional Requirements

- Valid driver's license.
- Completion of mandated reporter training.
- Successful completion of required background checks.
- Compliance with FERPA requirements.

To submit your application for this opportunity, please visit the  Embry-Riddle Career Site  and search for requisition number R311806. Please attach all relevant materials to your application when you apply online. Complete submissions include:

- Cover letter
- Full CV
- Contact information for at least three professional references (please note that references may be contacted as part of the interview/screening process)

Current Embry-Riddle employees:  Please apply directly through the ERAU Employee Hub Central application within Workday.

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions — including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment — based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy. Embry Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our  website .

Embry-Riddle is not seeking assistance from staffing or recruitment agencies. All agencies are directed to contact  [email protected]  and should not reach out to hiring managers or staff.