Project Director, Strengthening Institutional Program (SIP) Grant

Schreiner University

The Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) Grant Project Director provides overall strategic leadership, administrative management, fiscal oversight, and operational coordination for Schreiner University’s Title III SIP grant initiative, Building a Better Future. Operating with sufficient administrative authority and direct access to the Office of the President and Provost, the Project Director is responsible for ensuring that all grant objectives, key milestones, federal regulations (EDGAR, BABAA), and institutional performance metrics are successfully achieved across the three core components: Student Success Infrastructure, Academic Program Modernization (including AI integration and workforce certifications), and Professional Development.

The Project Director monitors monthly time and effort, tracks multi-component project budgets, collaborates with internal steering committees and external evaluators, and ensures the successful institutionalization of project positions and innovations across the university.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Project Management & Leadership

• Lead and oversee the day-to-day administration and execution of the five-year SIP grant, ensuring full alignment with approved grant goals, timelines, and measurable performance indicators.
• Exercise direct administrative authority to execute project strategies, maintain regular communication and reporting with the Provost, President’s Cabinet, Administrative Cabinet, and Board of Trustees.
• Establish and chair the SIP Steering Committee; organize and facilitate regular project staff and leadership team meetings.
• Supervises, evaluates, and supports the SIP Administrative Assistant and collaborates with those supervising grant-funded personnel, including Student Success Coaches, Advising Coaches, Professional Tutors, and the Institutional Research Associate.

Fiscal & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain strict fiscal oversight of all grant expenditures, working in close coordination with Financial Services, the Grant Accountant, and the Vice President for Planning & Finance.
• Develop and maintain the comprehensive SIP Grant Manual outlining federal policies, purchasing guidelines, travel rules, and contractual service protocols.
• Ensure total compliance with Department of Education regulations, EDGAR guidelines, and Build America, Buy America Act (BABAA) domestic sourcing requirements for capital and facility projects.
• Manage monthly time and effort tracking and progress reporting for all grant-funded personnel.

Component Implementation & Operational Oversight

• Component 1 (Student Success): Collaborates with the Dean of Academic Excellence for the launch and operational integration of the Center for Academic Success; oversight of early alert mechanisms, 24/7 AI-powered tutoring and advising platforms, first/second-year experience initiatives, and the refurbishment of student-first learning spaces.
• Component 2 (Academic Program Modernization): Partner with the Dean of Academic Excellence, Dean of Faculty, Division Directors, Director of the Center for Talent and Workforce Development, and faculty leadership in launching new degree programs (Electrical Engineering), transforming existing programs (Management/Manufacturing and Agriculture with integrated AI/data analytics), developing dyslexia-informed online dual-credit courses with AI sidecar support, and embedding industry-recognized workforce credentials into degree paths.
• Component 3 (Professional Development): Collaborate with the Center for Teaching and Learning and CTWD to roll out campus-wide AI literacy training (U.S. Department of Labor framework), faculty coaching/mentoring models, and curriculum redesign workshops.

Evaluation, Continuous Improvement & Reporting

• Collaborate closely with the Institutional Research Associate and the External Third-Party Evaluator to collect, clean, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data.
• Synthesize monthly component reports into Semi-Annual (Semester) Executive Summaries and Annual Performance Reports for submission to the U.S. Department of Education.
• Utilize formative evaluation feedback to guide continuous project improvement, adapt strategies and reallocating resources as needed to ensure milestone targets are met.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Higher

Education

• Administration, Educational Leadership, Business Administration, or a closely related field required (Master’s or Doctoral degree preferred).
• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience in higher education administration, grant management, student success, or project management.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex federal, state, or institutional grants, including budget administration, compliance, and reporting.
• Proven capability to lead cross-functional teams, supervise professional staff, and manage large-scale institutional initiatives.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access), Learning Management Systems (Canvas), and CRM/institutional databases.
• Knowledge of federal grant regulations (EDGAR), budget planning, and data-driven decision-making processes.
• Strong understanding of student retention, proactive advising, tutoring models, and workforce-aligned credentialing.
• Familiarity with emerging educational technologies, including Artificial Intelligence applications in learning and advising environments.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills; ability to build collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, executive leadership, and external stakeholders.