The Senior Director for School Partnerships and Engagement provides strategic and operational leadership serving as the primary leader for Wright State University’s partnership initiatives with schools, strengthening the K-12 to postsecondary pipeline. The Senior Director role is responsible for developing and executing the university’s engagement strategy designed to expand college awareness, strengthen relationships with local schools, and cultivate and enhance district partnerships which maximize Ohio’s College Credit Plus Program (CCP) and ensure seamless pipelines between high schools, career technology centers CTCs), and other college-going and community organizations.
The Senior Director will be responsible for leading Wright State’s CCP Program, establishing a strategic plan and enrollment targets for both the Dayton and Lake campuses. The role will develop and maintain relationships with high school counselors, curriculum directors, teacher, faculty, and others to ensure the development and delivery of a high quality and compliant CCP Program. Moreover, the Senior Director will seek opportunities to grow partnerships, broaden the scope of courses offered, and increase the number of students enrolled in CCP courses through Wright State.
This role will be the strategic lead on the design and implementation of curricular pathways for local schools that align with workforce and industry needs. Developed alongside K-12 partners and campus constituents, these pathways will increase reduced time to degree for students, while maximizing enrollments in CCP, bolstering yield rates, and enhancing Wright State’s relationship with K-12 partners in the region.
Using industry-recognized best practices, the Senior Director will also lead the development, implementation, and assessment of pre-college initiatives including the Take Flight Academy. The Senior Director will ensure these programs comply with state and federal regulations and align with institutional goals for educational attainment and enrollment.
Additionally, the Senior Director will lead strategic engagement with state, regional, and community-based organizations designed to strengthen the K-12 to postsecondary pipeline, including the development of partnerships with youth-serving organizations, and academic enrichment programs that expand early awareness of Wright State and support long-term efforts to increase college-going rates in the region. strong pipelines and relationships.
Minimum Qualifications
- Master’s degree in educational administration, business administration, public policy, higher education, student affairs, curriculum development, or a related field and at least six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in K–12 education, college access, college outreach, student success, enrollment management, student affairs, or a related field;
OR
- Bachelor’s degree in education, business, public policy, or a related field and at least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in K-12 or higher education, college access and outreach., or a related field
- Demonstrated success leading strategic education initiatives.
- Exceptional interpersonal, leadership, and communication skills.
- Experience using data to drive decision-making and improve program outcomes.
- Experience developing programs full scope from idea to full implementation.
- Record of building strong, collaborative relationships across the organization and effective communication that successfully supports and advances issues that impact students.
Preferred Qualifications
- Leadership experience in higher education or large-scale community initiatives.
- Familiarity with state education policy.
- Leadership positions/experience in other external higher educational institution
- Experience in curriculum development
- Background in grant writing and securing external funding
Essential Functions and percent of time:
K-12 Partnership Strategy & Relationship Management (40%)
- Serve as primary university lead for school partnership initiatives
- Build and sustain relationships with superintendents, counselors, curriculum directors, CTC leaders, teachers, and community organizations
- Lead the design and implementation of academic pathways aligned with workforce and industry needs
- Collaborate with K-12 districts, colleges, and academic department to support seamless transitions from high school to degree completion
- Lead strategic engagement with state, regional, and community-based organizations designed to strengthen the K-12 to postsecondary pipeline and institutional initiatives
College Credit Plus (CCP) Leadership & Enrollment Growth (25%)
- Lead strategic direction of the CCP program for Dayton and Lake campuses
- Establish enrollment goals and growth strategies
- Ensure compliance with state regulations
- Expand offerings and district participation
- Oversee partnership performance and student participation metrics.
Pre-College Programs & Student Engagement Initiatives (25%)
- Lead the development and assessment of pre-college programs including the Take Flight Academy
- Oversee educational outreach and college awareness programming
- Ensure programs comply with state and federal regulations and align with enrollment goals
- Expand engagement opportunities for prospective students
Staff Leadership & Organizational Development (10%)
- Provide leadership and supervision for professional and student staff
- Build a high-performing team focused on relationship building and enrollment goals
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
- Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to program and enrollment success and growth; partnership development; and participation in programs
- Ensure compliance with university policies, risk management standards, and applicable regulations
