Director of Pre-College Pathways

University of Notre Dame • Notre Dame, IN

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About The Position

The University of Notre Dame is seeking an innovative, mission-oriented, and strategic leader for the position of Director of Pre-College Pathways. This role is responsible for architecting the strategic vision and providing direct leadership and oversight for the Office of Pre-College Programs and the Notre Dame TRIO Programs. The Office of Pre-College Programs delivers selective, rigorous academic and residential experiences for high-achieving high school students globally. The Notre Dame TRIO Programs focus on federally funded initiatives providing college-access resources, mentorship, and advocacy for first-generation and low-income students in the local community. The Director will coordinate a comprehensive pathways strategy to connect talented students to higher education opportunities, leveraging partnerships across the division, campus, and community.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• 5+ years of experience in higher education or a similar industry (specifically within college access, pre-college, or student success programming)

Nice To Haves

• Master's or Doctoral degree
• Exceptional communication (written and oral), presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively influence and inspire multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, with proven experience in developing and implementing data-driven strategies that have resulted in measurable improvements.
• A strong understanding of college readiness frameworks, federal TRIO grant regulations, and enrollment management principles within a highly selective university environment.
• Experience leading student access, youth programming, or academic-enrichment teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven organization.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate a comprehensive strategic vision for the University's pre-college and access pathways, ensuring programs align with the University's mission and broader enrollment goals.
• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and strategic direction to the Pre-College Programs team and the TRIO Programs team, ensuring their efforts are integrated, compliant, and mission-aligned.
• Oversee the design and delivery of high-impact pre-college academic experiences and federally funded TRIO initiatives that articulate the value of higher education to both global and local student populations.
• Lead the execution of world-class on-campus residential, virtual, and community-based initiatives that foster a deep sense of belonging, academic capability, and community for participating students.
• Partner closely with Undergraduate Admissions and enrollment leadership to align early talent identification with future recruitment pipelines, utilizing data-informed insights to optimize program efficacy.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, faculty across academic colleges and schools, local school districts, and community stakeholders to deliver a compelling experience for all students.
• Stay abreast of federal regulations, youth protection guidelines, best practices, and emerging trends in college access and pre-college programming to ensure Notre Dame remains a leader in the field.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director