Title: Director, GEAR UP

Department: College Readiness

Reports To: Deputy Chief, Counseling and Promotion Standards

This is a full-time, 12-month, non-represented position. The salary grade is 4029, starting at $91,317 commensurate with experience and aligned to ensure internal equity with similarly situated roles.

Job Summary

Develops and implements the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). Coordinates programs and activities at designated middle and high schools which inform students, parents/guardians and the community of post-secondary educational programs at colleges and universities and preparation for these programs. Monitors programmatic activities and financial expenditures. Ensures that all programmatic activities are in compliance with governmental mandates.

Essential Functions

Coordinates the planning and implementation of GEAR UP initiatives; develops and strengthens the partnership and maintains a cooperative and effective relationship; ensures that matters of mutual concern are resolved in an affable manner.
Convenes and chairs the meetings of the GEAR UP partners; plans and directs the establishment of procedures which will ensure program compliance with federal mandates; discusses the most complex programmatic problems; reviews and approves plans for implementing policies.
Interprets the program’s goals and objectives to the community through conferences and workshops with individuals and groups; promotes the GEAR UP program; ensures that GEAR UP accomplishments and activities are communicated to internal and external audiences through a website and newsletter.
Coordinates and monitors program implementation; develops and implements a timetable to achieve short and long-term goals; ensures that GEAR UP activities are aligned with other School District initiatives; determines the need to modify or expand the range of programmatic activities and makes recommendations to GEAR UP partners accordingly.
Completes the annual performance report for the United States Department of Education; prepares and submits other reports to senior management.
Oversees and directs the activities of staff; establishes areas of responsibility for subordinates.
Serves as a liaison to GEAR UP school administrators, external evaluators and the Deputy Chief.
Manages the project budget; prepares annual budget estimates for the GEAR UP program.

Minimum Requirements

Master’s degree program from an accredited college or university.
Ten years of full-time, paid, professional administrative experience, which has involved working in an educational setting and has included managing grants and working with community or corporate partners, at least five of which have been in a supervisory or administrative capacity.

Any equivalent combination of training and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Talent and Development.

The candidate must ensure that all of their relevant work experience is reflected on their resume prior to the submission of their application for District employment.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Demonstrated knowledge of:
the current practices, methods and techniques utilized in the implementation of post secondary readiness initiatives.
the methods and techniques used in effective program planning, design and administration.
school reform initiatives and current issues facing urban public education.
governmental mandates impacting education.
the theories and principles of adolescent growth and development.
supervisory methods and techniques.
budgetary practices and procedures.
software applications used to maintain databases.
Demonstrated ability to:
interpret all relevant District and federal rules and regulations concerning program administration.
guide and channel resources, ideas and recommendations for problem solution and program refinement.
plan and direct program operations.
effectively lead and manage a work team.
manage and interpret data.
use a personal computer.
communicate effectively, both orally an in writing.
establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Nondiscrimination

The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.

Primary Location

Division Of College Readiness (97A0)

Job

Central Office

Schedule

Regular

Job Posting

Jul 7, 2026, 1:05:47 PM

Union Affiliation

Not represented by a union

Unposting Date

Jul 14, 2026, 10:59:00 PM

The School District of Philadelphia

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Director, GEAR UP