"Director of Early Postsecondary Opportunities"

DIRECTOR OF EARLY POSTSECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES

Number of Openings: 1

Employee Classification: Exempt, Professional

Institution: Cleveland State Community College

Department: Dual Enrollment/Early College

Reports to: Assistant Dean of Enrollment Services & Early Postsecondary Opportunities

Campus Location: Cleveland, Tennessee

Salary Range: $62,034 - $77,543

Moving Allowance: N/A

Cleveland State Community College is a comprehensive, two-year post-secondary institution, located in Cleveland, Tennessee. Cleveland State is committed to providing open access and quality education to all students. A Tennessee Board of Regents institution, Cleveland State is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). At Cleveland State, our mission is to build strong minds, careers and communities through exceptional teaching and learning, workforce development and service. We wish to hire individuals with similar values who can help us accomplish those goals.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

To be considered for a position at Cleveland State, you must complete an online application. Your skills, abilities, qualifications, and years of experience will be evaluated solely based on the information provided in your application. Any work experience not included will not be considered for meeting the minimum requirements or determining compensation for the position.

• Attaching a resume does not substitute for completion of the application form.
• Part-time work experience is calculated at 50% of full-time experience.

JOB SUMMARY

The Director of Early Postsecondary Opportunities provides leadership, oversight, and coordination for Cleveland State’s Dual Enrollment, Dual Credit, and Tennessee Valley Early College (TVEC) programs. This position works collaboratively with college departments, high school partners, and external agencies to ensure effective program implementation, student success, and alignment with state and local workforce needs. The director also plays a vital role in connecting students to career pathway resources, including labor market data and career assessment tools, to support informed academic and career planning.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS / QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of professional experience in higher education, K–12 education, or college access programs, with a focus on dual enrollment, early college, or academic advising. Additionally, a minimum of 1 year of experience in operational leadership or management of student programs.
• Experience working with secondary school partners, students, and families in an advising or administrative capacity.
• Demonstrated success in program coordination, strategic planning, and compliance with state and federal education policies.
• Demonstrated proficiency in use of Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel, required.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• Previous community college experience and knowledge of Banner, CRM software is preferred.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Program Leadership & Management (30%)

• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of high school partnership programs: Dual Enrollment, Dual Credit, and TVEC.
• Oversee program admissions, onboarding, eligibility verification (including the Dual Enrollment Grant and Middle College Scholarship), and registration processes.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to increase participation, retention, and completion within early postsecondary programs.
• Maintain and regularly update high school pathway models in collaboration with academic divisions and K–12 partners.
• Ensure compliance with all institutional, state, and federal regulations related to funding, academic alignment, and student services.

Career Pathways & Student Success Support (25%)

• Collaborate with Academic Affairs, Career Services, and high school counselors to integrate career exploration and labor market information into early postsecondary advising.
• Promote the use of career assessments (e.g., Lightcast) to help students align educational choices with career goals.
• Assist students in understanding how their dual enrollment coursework connects to CSCC programs and regional workforce needs.
• Support the development of pathway materials and resources that guide students from dual enrollment to degree or certificate completion and employment.

Liaison & Outreach Coordination (20%)

• Serve as a key liaison between the college and partner high schools, coordinating dual enrollment programming, parent/student meetings, campus visits, and ongoing communication.
• Collaborate with secondary school personnel to support student engagement, monitor academic performance, and connect students with appropriate resources.
• Coordinate the creation of new dual enrollment course sections with Academic Affairs each semester.
• Represent the college in school district meetings, community forums, and regional partnerships related to early postsecondary access.

Supervision & Administrative Responsibilities (20%)

• Supervise and evaluate staff assigned to early postsecondary programs.
• Provide leadership and training for team members to ensure high-quality service delivery and program support.
• Compile and submit required data reports to local, state, and federal agencies, including THEC and TBR.
• Assist the Dean of Enrollment Services with budget planning, strategic goal setting, and resource development for early postsecondary programs.
• Supervise student workers and temporary staff, as assigned.
• Represent the college and/or Dean at professional development events and statewide meetings relevant to early college programming.

Non-Essential Functions (5%)

• The appointee may be asked to serve on one or more college committees.
• The appointee may be required to achieve additional skill, knowledge, or credential levels currently required or which in the future may be required by the Tennessee Board of Regents and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership & Team Management: Ability to lead and motivate a team, delegate responsibilities effectively, and foster a collaborative working environment.
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including high school students, parents, educators, and administrators.
• Advising & Student Support: Experience advising students in an educational setting, with knowledge of college and career planning strategies.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Proficiency in collecting, analyzing, and reporting data to inform decision-making and meet compliance/reporting requirements (e.g., THEC, TBR).
• Strategic Planning: Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities to grow early postsecondary participation and ensure smooth operations across programs.
• Technology Proficiency: Comfortable using student information systems (e.g., Banner, Navigate), Microsoft Office Suite, and digital tools for program management and virtual communication.
• Knowledge of Career Pathways: Understanding of how dual enrollment aligns with academic and career pathways; familiarity with labor market data and career exploration resources (Lightcast).
• Regulatory & Financial Aid Knowledge: Working knowledge of Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant, Middle College Scholarship, FERPA, and state education policies.

WORK ACTIVITIES & EQUIPMENT

Job responsibilities often involve working with personal computers and peripheral devices, as well as photocopy and related office machines. Must be a licensed driver and able to operate a vehicle.

JOB LOCATION

This position is an on-site role located on the main campus of Cleveland State Community College in Cleveland, Tennessee. Occasional travel to off-campus sites within the college’s five (5) county service area may be required. The incumbent will be obligated to attend meetings as deemed necessary to support the programs of the division. Occasional travel to other sites for statewide meetings and/or other related events is required.

Applicants may be subject to a background check and credit check.

Cleveland State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to the following:

• Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability (long and short term), FSA/HAS
• Wellness Incentive Program (if enrolled in health)
• Educational Assistance: Fee Waiver, Spouse/Dependent Discounts, Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Longevity Pay
• Retirement Options: State of TN Pension (TCRS), 401a, 401k with $50 match, 403b, and 457
• Fourteen (14) Paid Holidays/Year
• Sick and Annual Leave
• Sick Leave Bank
• State Employee Discount Program with over 900 merchants

If you are interested, click on the link to apply. Applications can be assured full consideration if submitted by July 2, 2025.

Apply Now