Program Manager

The University of Southern California’s (USC) Department of University Relations, TRiO Upward Bound is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and enterprising professional for the position of Program Manager.

USC TRiO Upward Bound launched at USC in 1977. Upward Bound provides academic, career and financial counseling to encourage students to graduate from high school and continue to post-secondary education. These programs provide counseling, academic instruction, tutoring, assistance in applying for college admission, financial aid, encouragement and support. Academic supports are also provided via Saturday Academy and Summer Residential programs. Additionally, students participate in cultural, academic, social, and recreational activities.

Job Summary:

The Program Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of two Upward Bound Programs.  The Program Manager implements and evaluates eligibility requirements for participants who are college-bound high school students and whose families meet the federal income levels required by the U.S. Department of Education. The Program Manager will have direct responsibility for the program design, policy development, personnel administration, budget, marketing, public relations, fundraising and federal compliance.

This position will support Upward Bound through the following responsibilities:

• Oversee the operation of two (2) Upward Bound Grants.

• Create and approve project budgets.

• Conduct all formative and summative federal and college reports.

• Submit the Annual Performance Report (APR).

• Hire all project staff and supervise the project coordinators and administrative assistant.

• Ensure compliance with grant and federal regulations.

• Ensure that strategic recruitment is done in a timely manner to fulfil the federal grant requirements.

The Program Manager will report to the Executive Director of Educational Partnerships, K-12, and will work closely with a team of other professional staff members. Please note that this position will have an external-facing title of Program Director.

This is a full-time, exempt, grant-funded position and is contingent on continued funding.

Preferred Education/Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher

• Three (3) years of experience with federal TRIO Programs, or similar programs for disadvantaged students.

• Five (5) years of experience in the areas of staff supervision; budget management; program development and evaluation; reporting and compliance with federal regulations.

• Professional or personal experiences in overcoming barriers similar to those confronting Project Participants.

Preferred Skills and Ability:

• Ability to administer and manage professional staff.

• Knowledge of academic advising services; development of individualized service plans; college advising, career planning, financial aid processing, programming for low-income and disadvantaged students.

• Knowledge of administrative organization and management.

• Ability to supervise and evaluate the work of others.

• Knowledge of federal regulation government by the U.S. Department of education. 

• Ability to develop budgets and monitor expenditures.

• Ability to conduct internal project evaluations (formative/summative).

• Knowledge of barriers to postsecondary education faced by low income and potential first-generation college youth in the target area.

• Federal and/or state grant writing experience.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC’s Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

Special Instructions:

Upload resume, cover letter and three (3) letters of recommendation submitted with the application.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education Minimum Experience: 3 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related professional and supervisory experience in area of program specialization