Project Director, SIP Grant (grant-funded)

Eastern CT State University•Willimantic, CT

19h•Onsite

About The Position

Eastern Connecticut State University is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the Project Director (grant-funded) position. This position is funded for five years under the SIP grant; continuation is dependent on grant renewal or institutional funding. The Project Director coordinates the implementation of the Modeling Student Success initiative under the U.S. Department of Education's Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). This role provides project management, operational leadership, and compliance oversight across Academic Affairs, Student Success & Enrollment, and Student Affairs to advance Eastern's institutional goals for retention, graduation, and equity.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited institution in education, higher education administration, counseling, or related field.
Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in academic or student affairs with demonstrated leadership in program management and student success initiatives.
Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and external relations.
Demonstrated ability to work successfully with diverse populations, demonstrating multicultural competence.
Knowledge of and ability to apply federal and state laws and regulations as well as university and BOR/CSCU policies and procedures.
Strong knowledge of federal grant compliance and reporting.
Experience with data-informed decision-making and cross-divisional collaboration.
Excellent oral and written communication skills, and presentation skills.
Demonstrated commitment to accessibility, equity, and student retention.

Responsibilities

Responsible for day-to-day oversight and management of the SIP grant, ensuring compliance with goals and deliverables, adhering to grant timelines.
Coordinates work plans and deliverables across divisions and departments.
Convenes cross-divisional working groups for student success and institutional effectiveness.
Serves as liaison between the university and the U.S. Department of Education program officer.
Collaborates across divisions to design and assess holistic student support models.
In collaboration with Institutional Research, tracks key performance indicators (retention, DFW rates, academic probation, graduation).
Supports the integration of evaluation findings into continuous improvement plans and institutional dashboards.
Coordinates internal and external communication on SIP initiatives.
Supports executive sponsor team (Provost, VP Student Success & Enrollment, VP Student Affairs) with briefings and reports.
Facilitates campus presentations and professional development linked to SIP objectives.
With support from the Grants Office, maintains documentation of grant expenditures, personnel effort certifications, and programmatic data.
Monitors progress of SIP-funded support staff as it relates to the project goals.
Prepares annual performance reports and evaluation summaries in coordination with Grants Office and stakeholders.
With support from the Grants Office, ensures activities adhere to Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and Eastern policies.
Collaborates with Institutional Research, Academic Advising, Center for Teaching, Learning, and Assessment (CTLA), and Student Support offices on shared initiatives.
Performs other duties and responsibilities related to those above that do not alter the basic level of responsibility of the position.

Benefits

paid personal, vacation and sick leave accruals
medical, dental, and prescription plans
group life insurance
retirement
retiree health care
tuition waiver for employee and eligible dependents at any of the Connecticut State Universities (Central, Eastern, Southern or Western)
Deferred Retirement Contribution plans
Dependent Care Assistance
Medical Flexible spending accounts
long and short term disability insurance plans