Director of Educational Opportunity Program

SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

$100K — $110K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Master's degree from an accredited institution essential for appointment.
  • Minimum three years in a leadership role within an opportunity program or academic success department.
  • Proven leadership experience in a college or university setting.
  • Demonstrated record of supervising professional staff effectively.
  • Experience in budget development and administration required.
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
  • Strong understanding of challenges faced by students from underserved backgrounds.

Responsibilities

  • Provide strategic leadership and vision for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).
  • Serve as the primary liaison with the SUNY Office of Opportunity Programs.
  • Oversee effective services and programs that meet student needs.
  • Manage budget and financial resources in collaboration with relevant university offices.
  • Lead a team of EOP staff, including conducting performance evaluations for professional development.
  • Coordinate student success programs to enhance retention and completion.
  • Promote communication between EOP and university departments to support student education.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health insurance options available.
  • Retirement plans and options to support future security.
  • Professional development opportunities offered.
  • Paid time off and holiday leave included.
  • Additional benefits related to wellness and work-life balance.
Full Job Description
Salary: $100,000.00 - $110,000.00 Annually
Location : SUNY Brockport
Job Type: Professional Full-Time
Job Number:
Division: Enrollment Management
Department: Arthur O Eve - E O P Program
Opening Date: 09/01/2026
Bargaining Unit: 08 United University Professions (UUP)

SUMMARY
SUNY Brockport is seeking an inspiring and dynamic leader to serve as the Director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). In this role, the Director will provide overall leadership and coordination of the program, ensuring compliance with SUNY EOP guidelines while advancing student recruitment, matriculation, persistence, and completion goals. The State University of New York's Educational Opportunity Program provides access, academic support, and financial assistance to students who demonstrate strong potential for success in college but may not have otherwise been offered admission. EOP's mission is to expand access to higher education and support the success of high-potential students from underserved backgrounds. The Director is responsible for fostering a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes students' academic and personal growth through high-quality advising, academic interventions, transitional support, and engagement opportunities. The position oversees all aspects of program operations, including budget management, recruitment, retention initiatives, and programming, with a strong emphasis on cultivating a sense of community among students.

Working collaboratively across the institution, the Director will advance the integration of EOP into the University's educational mission and support the program's contributions to institutional goals, strategic priorities, and key initiatives. The Educational Opportunity Program serves more than 300 students annually and manages an approximately $1.5 million budget that supports staff salaries, direct student aid, tutoring services, summer orientation programs, and special projects. The Director also supervises a team of 8 to 12 full- and part-time employees, including counselors, instructors, an administrative assistant, and graduate and undergraduate student assistants, such as peer mentors and tutors.

JOB FUNCTIONS

Essential Functions:
Leadership and Supervision
  • Provides the Educational Opportunities Program with strategic, collaborative leadership, effective management, and vision, guided by its mission and the university's strategic plan.
  • Serves as the university's primary contact and liaison with the State University of New York Office of Opportunity Programs.
  • Ensures EOP provides effective services and programs of the highest quality that respond to student needs, in coordination with the university's services, student engagement opportunities, and success efforts.
  • Provides oversight for the unit's strategic planning, policy development, assessment, and daily operations.
  • Leads the EOP team through strong supervision, systematic communication, promotion of the development of ideas for improved service, efficiency, and encourage teamwork.
  • Completes annual performance evaluations and performance plans for each direct report and provides guidance and direction for their personal and professional development.
  • Leads or serves on teams, committees, and task forces as needed to fulfill the goals of the university.
  • Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as a core value; fosters a sense of belonging among students, faculty, and staff.
  • Cultivates relationships and collaborative partnerships that will continue to increase awareness of the EOP's programs on-campus, regionally, nationally, and among peer institutions.
Enrollment & Resource Managements
  • Strives to recruit a full EOP incoming class each semester and maintains strong EOP enrollment from admission to graduation.
  • Partners with Admissions and Financial Aid to support yield during the admissions process, including marketing activities, EOP presentations, and participation in recruitment events.
  • Collaborates with the Academic Success Center to provide academic support to EOP students.
  • Coordinates the unit's budget in collaboration with SUNY EOP, Budget Office staff, and the VP for Enrollment Management.
  • Supervises unit personnel in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.
  • Interviews, hires, trains, supervises, and directs the work of EOP employees, including assigning responsibilities and overseeing performance to support program goals.
Delivery of Programs and Services
  • Fosters a culture of collaboration. Maintains professional and collegial working relationships among a dedicated professional staff of EOP counselors, instructors, and other campus partners.
  • Offers structured student success programs for EOP students to assist with persistence and completion goals of the university, including overseeing EOP academic support, the use/development of database information systems, utilization of technology, and a comprehensive counseling program.
  • Oversees the implementation of a comprehensive summer program for EOP students.
  • Facilitates programming aimed at fostering a sense of belonging within EOP and at the institution.
  • Develops, implements, updates, and/or maintains policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and university policies related to EOP.
  • Oversees and coordinates supplemental instruction, tutoring, and the EOP first year seminar course.
Communication Collaboration and Service
  • Implements EOP communication pathways to faculty and staff in the spirit of supporting student success through feedback, academic support, and interventions.
  • Develops, designs, revises, and updates all publications (website, university catalog, and other media) relating to EOP, such as applications, forms, brochures, etc.
  • Facilitates communication between respective university departments as they relate to EOP's role in creating a positive educational experience for students.
  • Fosters positive, collaborative relationships with campus and community constituents to address matters of common concern, including the enhancement of institutional commitment to an inclusive and accessible community of learning.
Non-Essential Functions:
  • Leads and/or serves on divisional and institutional Committees.

REQUIREMENTS

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Master's degree by time of appointment from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or an internationally recognized college or university
  • Minimum of three years of experience in a leadership role in an opportunity program and/or academic success department
  • Progressively responsible leadership experience at a college or university
  • Experience in supervision of professional staff
  • Experience developing, organizing, and administering budgets
  • Demonstrated experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
  • Deep understanding, expertise, and dedication to the needs and success of students from educationally and/or financially disadvantaged and/or underserved backgrounds
  • Strong personnel management skills including team development, strategic planning, the ability to manage multiple functions, and organize institution resources to meet goals and objectives
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Terminal degree by time of appointment from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education or an internationally recognized college or university
  • Ability to foster an environment of exemplary professionalism and commitment among staff to build strong working relationships with other university departments
  • Professional experience working in a SUNY EOP program
  • Experience with collective bargaining and union environments
  • Experience with Slate, Banner, MS Teams, or other relevant technology
  • Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, statutes, campus processes, and awareness of law and policy proposals affecting EOP students

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Work Schedule:
40 hours/week: Monday-Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm.
Benefits:
This position is benefits eligible. Find out more about benefits at

Application Instructions:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Visit to complete an application including your cover letter that addresses required and preferred qualifications, resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references. Best consideration will be given to applications submitted by September 21, 2026.

Please note, if you have retired from a New York State Public Employee Retirement System (Teachers Retirement System or Employees Retirement System), you may be subject to an earnings limitation. Please familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations when applying for this position.

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University

More Education, Government & Non-Profit Jobs

  • State Of Delaware
    Director of Accounting
    $130K *
    State Of Delaware
    Dover, DE 19904 (Kent County)
  • Deputy Building Official
    $80K — $150K + gloucester county government offers an excellent benefit package *
    Gloucester County
    Gloucester, VA 23061 (Gloucester County)
  • Deputy Assessor
    $80K — $150K + gloucester county government offers an excellent benefit package *
    Gloucester County
    Gloucester, VA 23061 (Gloucester County)
  • Civil Engineer II
    $80K — $150K + gloucester county government offers an excellent benefit package *
    Gloucester County
    Gloucester, VA 23061 (Gloucester County)
  • Accounting Manager
    $80K — $100K + gloucester county government offers an excellent benefit package *
    Gloucester County
    Gloucester, VA 23061 (Gloucester County)

Find similar Director of Educational Opportunity Program jobs: