Director, Early College Program, AFREDIRECP

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Academic Partnerships and Centers, the Director of Early College Programs provides strategic and administrative leadership for the Office of Early College Programs, including Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, and K-12 Partnership Initiatives. The Director is accountable for the overall direction, development, quality, compliance, resources, and effectiveness of the College's Early College Programs and serves as a key institutional leader in advancing college access, student success, and community partnerships.The Director establishes the strategic vision and priorities for the office in alignment with the College's Strategic Long-Range Plan and works collaboratively with College leadership, academic divisions, and external partners to develop and expand high-quality early college opportunities. The position provides leadership for institutional partnerships, program policy and development, resource allocation, compliance and accreditation, assessment, and organizational effectiveness and represents the College in significant external and community relationships.

Establish the strategic vision, goals, priorities, and long-range direction for the Office of Early College Programs in alignment with the College's strategic priorities.

Provide overall leadership and accountability for Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, and K-12 Partnership Initiatives and ensure effective coordination across program areas.

Evaluate emerging opportunities and trends in early college education and recommend strategies to expand access, strengthen pathways, improve student success, and advance the College's strategic objectives.

Develop and maintain high-level institutional relationships with school districts, regional educational organizations, community partners, and other external stakeholders.

Serve as a primary College representative and institutional liaison for significant Early College partnerships and initiatives.

Establish and maintain the organizational framework, policies, procedures, and standards necessary to ensure effective and sustainable program operations.

Provide overall accountability for compliance with applicable Illinois legislation, ICCB, IBHE, HLC, NACEP, Perkins, and other regulatory and accreditation requirements.

Oversee the College's approach to program quality, accreditation, assessment, and continuous improvement and ensure that appropriate operational processes are in place.

Direct the development and evaluation of program goals, performance measures, and assessment strategies and use data to evaluate program effectiveness, identify growth opportunities, and inform strategic decisions.

Develop, manage, and advocate for the financial resources necessary to support the Office of Early College Programs and make recommendations regarding resource allocation and future needs.

Establish priorities for staffing, organizational structure, technology, and other resources necessary to support program objectives.

Provide leadership and direction to professional staff within the Office of Early College Programs, including the Assistant Director, Manager, partnership liaisons, specialists, and other assigned staff.

Establish expectations for organizational performance, staff development, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Oversee the development and expansion of strategic pathways and partnerships that connect high school students to College programs, credentials, and transfer opportunities.

Collaborate with senior College leadership, academic deans and faculty, Student Affairs, Communications, HR, and other internal partners to advance institutional priorities related to early college programming.

Lead the development of major initiatives and partnerships from concept through implementation and evaluation.

Establish communication strategies and stakeholder engagement approaches that support program awareness, institutional alignment, and effective implementation.

Monitor the overall performance, quality, and effectiveness of Early College Programs and take appropriate action to address challenges and improve outcomes.

Present program data, recommendations, accomplishments, and emerging issues to College leadership and other appropriate stakeholders.

Represent the College at significant community, regional, state, and professional meetings and events related to early college education and partnerships.

Advocate for the Office of Early College Programs and promote its role in advancing college access, student success, and community engagement.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Education
  • Master's degree from an accredited institution required.

• Experience
  • Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in higher education, secondary education, early college programming, Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, K-12 partnerships, or a related field required.
  • Demonstrated experience providing administrative or organizational leadership for programs, initiatives, or functions of significant scope and complexity required.
  • Experience developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with educational institutions and external stakeholders required.
  • Experience with program planning, budget administration, assessment, compliance, and continuous improvement required.
  • Experience supervising and developing professional staff required.
  • Experience interpreting and applying regulatory, legislative, accreditation, or other external requirements required.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of early college programming, Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, K-12 partnerships, and related higher education practices.
  • Knowledge of Illinois legislation and regulatory and accreditation requirements affecting early college programs.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and execute strategic plans and translate institutional priorities into measurable program outcomes.
  • Strong financial, analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to build consensus, influence stakeholders, and work effectively across organizational boundaries.
  • Ability to make sound decisions involving complex issues, competing priorities, and institutional risk.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead organizational change, foster innovation, and develop high-performing teams.

Personal computers and related software applications, printers, typewriters, copiers and FAX.

Flexibility in hours to include some early mornings, evenings and weekends.

Adaptability, flexibility, maturity, and patience required to maintain close working relationships internally.

Car required for regular local travel to off-campus locations.

This position requires a background check and drug screen.

Starting pay begins at $97,373 based on experience.

Competitive starting salaries are dependent on education and experience. College of DuPage also offers a generous benefits plan.

To apply please submit your electronic application, unofficial transcripts, current curriculum vita, a cover letter including a list of three references.

Applications accepted until 11:59 p.m. CST, September 27th, 2026.

This position requires a pre-employment background and drug screen.