Job Title
Program Director

Agency
Texas A&M Engineering

Department
Workforce Development

Proposed Minimum Salary
Commensurate

Job Location
College Station, Texas

Job Type
Staff

Job Description

Purpose:

The Spark! Director provides strategic leadership and oversight for P-12 engineering education and broader impacts initiatives across Texas A&M Engineering and the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES). This position collaborates with faculty and research centers to develop and implement programs that advance educational outreach, student competitions, and professional development opportunities for educators while strengthening partnerships and ensuring alignment with State, System, University, and Agency priorities and objectives.

Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership for the integration and expansion of P-12 engineering education and outreach initiatives across Texas A&M Engineering and TEES centers, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, workforce development goals, and broader impacts objectives.
• Establishes and advances new educational outreach programs, student competitions, and educator professional learning opportunities by collaborating with faculty, department and division leadership, school districts, industry, and community partners.
• Identifies and pursues external funding opportunities, including grants, corporate sponsorships, and philanthropic partnerships, to expand program impact and sustainability.
• Oversees the operational and fiscal management of P-12 outreach initiatives, including strategic planning, budget development, financial stewardship, personnel oversight, program assessment, and compliance with sponsor and institutional reporting requirements.
• Drives continuous improvement by developing and implementing policies, procedures, and evaluation strategies that strengthen program quality, measure impact, and support the long-term growth and sustainability of engineering education outreach.
• Cultivates and maintains partnerships with schools, educational organizations, industry, government agencies, and community stakeholders to expand access to high-quality engineering and STEM learning experiences.
• Represents Texas A&M Engineering and TEES on university, state, and national committees, councils, and professional organizations and supports the development of communication and marketing strategies that promote P-12 engineering education and outreach initiatives.
• Performs other duties and special projects, as assigned.
• This position requires direct engagement with minors and youth during program activities. The employee is expected to fully adhere to all university policies and state regulations pertaining to the safety and protection of minors.

What We Need:

• Bachelor's degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten years of related experience.

Work Location:

• Main Campus - College Station, TX.

About Workforce Development

The Workforce Development Division of Texas A&M Engineering will be the premier provider of programs, conferences, professional development, and educational opportunities to prepare experts, employees and advocates for STEM-related fields. The Workforce Development Division has six programs: Spark! PK-12 Engineering Education Outreach, ReCENT, Engineering Academies, TEES EDGE Professional Education, Regional Divisions, Conference and Events Planning Services. Through these programs, the division creates and coordinates opportunities worldwide to hone expertise among engineering professionals and train or retrain those interested in emerging engineering fields while concurrently engaging with PK-collegiate educators and students to encourage future engineers.

Texas A&M Engineering provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive medical insurance benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription coverage by Express Scripts.
• Options for Vision, Dental, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance.
• A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution.
• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program 457(b).
• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses
• Generous paid time off with holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional development opportunities.
• Tuition assistance and Educational release time to further your academic pursuits.
• Access to Engineer Your Wellness programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness.
• Wellness release time offered to employees to promote work/life balance.

Helpful Applicant Information

Required Materials for Application:

• Resume/CV
• Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor/former supervisor.
• Letter of interest

Applications received by Texas A&M Engineering must have all required job application data entered.

Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.

Compensation Philosophy:

• Recruit and retain a high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development.
• Recognize and reward exceptional performance based on individual and team contributions to the growth and success of Texas A&M Engineering.
• Offer total rewards through flexible benefits, professional development, and work-life balance. Maintain an equitable and transparent process for compensation decisions.
• Support, reinforce, and align compensation decisions with budgetary and financial strategies to ensure growth and sustainability.