Project Director

Job no: 495306
Work type: Staff Full-time
Location: UMBC Campus
Categories: Other

Department:
The George and Betsy Sherman Center is committed to excellence in urban schools. Established by a visionary gift to UMBC from George and Betsy Sherman, the Center supports transformational education in four connected areas:

• Outstanding teaching: The Sherman Teacher Scholars Program develops STEM and early childhood educators who are skilled, passionate and committed to an excellent education for all children.
• School Community Partnerships: The Sherman School Partnerships program works with schools, families and community groups to create innovative, responsive, and effective partnerships that help students thrive.
• Early Childhood Learning: The Sherman Center engages parents, community groups, and schools to ensure that a child's early years become the foundation for life-long learning.
• Research: The Sherman Center supports applied research linking the insights of UMBC's outstanding faculty with the daily educational experience of school communities.

Position Overview:
The Maryland Early Childhood Leadership Program (MECLP), housed in The George and Betsy Sherman Center, is an early childhood workforce development program designed to develop and support early childhood leaders who will generate positive change poised to shape the future Maryland's early childhood ecosystem and significantly improve school readiness and related outcomes for early learners, particularly disadvantaged and vulnerable children and their families. The Project Director will oversee the administration and direction of this Program.

UMBC offers competitive compensation. This role starts at $83,000 and has over 4 weeks of vacation for regular full time roles. Tuition remission is also available.

Responsibilities:

• Define and execute the strategic vision for the leadership program in alignment with the Sherman Center, MECLP Advisory Committee, the Provost's Office, and the university's overall mission.
• Identify, cultivate, and secure diverse external revenue-generation strategies and funding streams, including public-sector, philanthropic, corporate, foundations and individual donors.
• Develop long-term program sustainability including potential student scholarship opportunities.
• Lead grant-writing initiatives and serve as Principal Investigator (PI) for local, state, and federal grants, working with members of the Advisory Committee, Sherman Center, and Business Specialist.
• Maintain administrative and financial records for MECLP.
• Selection and support for MECLP Cohorts; oversee staff development of the MECLP Program.
• Oversee the compilation, analysis, and utilization of program data to drive continuous quality improvement. Establish rigorous metrics to evaluate and demonstrate the program's impact on fellows' career trajectories and the broader early childhood ecosystem.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Early Childhood education, Educational Leadership, Public Policy, Non-Profit Management, or a related field.
• 5 years of progressive leadership experience
• 1 year of program and budget oversight and fundraising
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google
• Strong organization and ability to make deadlines
• Ability to deal diplomatically with faculty, staff, and fellows
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to bridge higher education, early childhood systems, or educational non-profits.
• Teaching/instructional experience
• 2+ Years in Early Childhood Education
• Experience seeking out grants and writing proposals
• Understanding of the early childhood education context in Baltimore and Maryland

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Upload a cover letter and a resume.

Closing Date:Open Until Filled

Benefits:
UMBC offers a rich benefits package.

Regular and grant funded regular positions (Full benefits summary click here):

Generous Leave which includes accruing:

• 22 Days of Annual Leave
• 15 Days of Sick Leave
• 15 Holidays
• 3 Personal Days

Tuition Remission:

• 8 credit hours per semester
• Tuition remission at UMBC for eligible dependents after two years of FT employment

Additional Benefits:

• Life and disability insurance
• Retirement plans (including the choice of joining the pension plan)
• Professional development opportunities
• Wellness opportunities
• & Much more

Salary:
Salary: $83,000 - 94,000 depending on qualifications and experience.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, budget, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business considerations.

The above salary range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Hours:Full-time

Type:Regular

FLSA Status:Exempt

Advertised: Jul 14 2026 09:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close: Open Until Filled

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