The American Heart Association (AHA) has an excellent opportunity in Tuscaloosa, AL for a Director of Collegiate Diversity Partnerships to provide leadership and direction in the implementation, and administration of educational support strategies designed to increase minority enrollment, retention and graduation in healthcare and science fields. The Director will oversee the daily administrative operations of the American Heart Association’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Scholars Program in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This will include planning, implementing, supervising students and overseeing budgets. The Director will lead in the development of educational and professional development opportunities, as well as assessment and monitoring vehicles to track the participants via the submission of quarterly and annual performance reports. Priority focus areas will also include working with key personnel at academic institutions and volunteer mentors. The Director should be able to guide students through the process of financial aid, scholarships, internships, and overall post-secondary educational success. The Director’s role will also include positioning the American Heart Association as a trusted voice to external partners and supporting the Vice President of Community Impact Diversity and Inclusion in the execution of collegiate diversity pipeline strategies for the territory covered. This is a grant funded position scheduled to last 3 years from hire date .
- Establish and manage close working relationships with national and local diversity partner organizations, community partners and academic institutions faculty and administrators (priority focus includes Historically Black Colleges & Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions)
- Facilitate the development of activities and programs designed to encourage underrepresented populations to overcome barriers to postsecondary education by assisting the Vice President with program preparation and implementation.
- Serve as a partner liaison, creating and maintaining linkages with academic institutions, volunteers and students to identify and assist underrepresented minority students to gain the knowledge and skills to attain academic success.
- Provide timely direction, framework and resources to students and mentors while at the same time relying on their expertise, abilities and willingness to leverage their networks to drive the goals of the organization.
- Assure the development and operation of an effective tracking and monitoring system to ensure that students/mentors are fully engaged in programs; including the interviewing of students/mentors and the collecting and reporting of data to assess the effectiveness of program components.
- Collaborate in the establishment and implementation of short- and long-term goals, objectives, strategic plans, polices and operating procedures; monitor and evaluate programmatic and operational effectiveness and recommend changes as necessary.
- Lead recruiting efforts at national and local diversity conferences and events
- Support the development and administration of budgets and grant requests;
- Facilitate an environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
- Previous experience in complex project management ensuring deadline compliance with minimal supervision. Developing, implementing and/or prior participation in diversity pipeline programming a plus.
- Minimum of two years’ demonstrated experience in the following areas: community or educational programs and outreach related to science or health; marketing and development outreach; and building alliances with community stakeholder groups.
- Ability to promote ideas and programs to key strategic alliances, professional volunteers, and funding partners in order to influence them to action.
- Knowledge and familiarity with the geography, key institutions, key organizations and volunteers.
- Competency in oral and written communication
- Highly effective organization, multi-tasking, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and collaborate daily with staff from various departments
- Ability to work, as needed, outside standard business hours and travel long distances within assigned geography, including some overnight travel, for business appointments, meetings and engagements.
- Ability to manage and motivate diverse groups and individuals, and work successfully as a leader in a team environment
- Strong computer skills, proficient with MS Office suite.
- Ability to travel up to 15% local and overnight stay