Director of Pre-College Pathways

University of Notre Dame•Notre Dame, IN

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 academic and residential experiences for high-achieving high school students globally. The Notre Dame TRIO Programs provide college-access resources, mentorship, and advocacy for first-generation and low-income students in the local community. The Director will create a cohesive ecosystem to expand educational opportunity and cultivate future leaders. The successful candidate will be a visionary strategist, an exceptional communicator, and a master relationship-builder, tasked with coordinating a comprehensive pathways strategy to inspire, prepare, and connect students to higher education opportunities. This role involves leveraging partnerships across the division, campus, and community to ensure a seamless journey from early academic outreach to enrollment readiness.

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.