We are an exceptional team in search of an exceptional leader.  Delaware is at the forefront of cutting-edge education reform in the United States and uniquely positioned to be model for reform across the nation.  We are committed to transforming Delaware into the best education system in the country and we need world-class leaders to pull it off.

As the leader of the Delaware Higher Education Office, the Director plays a significant part in many of Delaware’s most critical reform efforts including overseeing the administration of 32 state, federal and private financial assistance programs and the Delaware College Investment Plan (DCIP).  You will report to the Associate Secretary for Finance Reform and Resource Management and as core member of the Department’s management team will represent the Department on a number of key state-level and national higher education activities.  You will be looked to for solutions and guidance on a range of higher education issues including representing higher education interests on various committees and subcommittees of the P-20 Council, serving as the designated State Higher Education Officer (SHEEO), the state’s voting member of the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs (NASSGGAP) and College Savings Plan Network (CSPN), and managing state participation in the Academic Common Market, Electronic Campus, Regional Contract Programs, and the Go Alliance.

We are looking for a natural motivator capable of building relationships with key stakeholders across departmental, state, national, public and private spheres of influence.  We seek a dynamic thinker willing to challenge convention and tackle difficult problems objectively and creatively.  You will need impressive management credentials, as well as strong organizational, analytical, writing and interpersonal skills to be successful as the main purpose of your workgroup is to is to improve the quality of educational decision making by providing accurate and timely information, improve the quality of reporting mechanisms and provide user friendly access to information systems in support of the Delaware Public Education system.  Above all, you need to share our sense of urgency as we look to the coming few years to deliver on the ambitious goals that put Delaware at the forefront of education reform in the United States.

 Major responsibilities include:

• Supervise the Delaware Higher Education Office.
• Represent higher education interests on various committees and subcommittees of the P-20 Council.
• Promote college access and issues and financial aid awareness.
• Promote use of technology for administrative efficiency and coordination of student data elements.
• Respond to constituent and legislative requests and concerns.
• Serve as the designated State Higher Education Executive Officer (SHEEO).
• Oversee the administration of 32 state, federal and private student financial assistance programs.
• Administer the Delaware College Investment Plan (DCIP), including local marketing efforts.
• Coordinate State membership in 16-state Southern Regional Education Board.
• Prepare and submit agency budget priorities and monitor budgetary activity.
• Manage federal grants; prepare grant applications, performance reports, and RFP’s for sub-grant awards
• Manage contract for the College Access Challenge Grant Program Coordinator
• Performs other duties as required by the Associate Secretary, Financial Reform & Resource Management

Essential Qualifications and Skills:

Education:  Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s preferred).

Experience:

• A minimum of five year’s experience managing a diverse group of technical, professional, and support staff
• Knowledge of scholarship and college access issues for students.
• Experience in reading and interpreting state and federal law and its application to education systems and financial aid.
• Knowledge of data privacy practices and laws especially with its application to detailed student information.
• Experience managing multiple projects while ensuring that goals and priorities are met.
• Experience in state budgeting and accounting principles with the ability to apply those principles to managing the Delaware Higher Education Office budget.

Skills:

• Interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to communicate technical subjects to both technical and non-technical staff a must.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment and relay complex information about Delaware higher education issues to parents and the public
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Perform responsibilities with minimal supervision
• Be able to demonstrate effective leadership in establishing collaborative relationships in pursuit of goals common to both the Department and Delaware institutions of higher learning
• Ability to proactively problem-solve with professionalism 

Salary:

Salary will be computed in accordance with the experience and training of the individual selected and in accordance with the salary schedules for employees of the Delaware Department of Education.  Direct deposit of payroll checks is mandatory for state employment, and employees are paid on a lag pay schedule with the first payment made after approximately one month of employment.

Notes

A criminal background check is required. The candidate must demonstrate in the interview process an understanding of diversity issues as related to student achievement and the ability to apply the principles of multicultural education.   This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. The Director should expect to perform any other related activities needed to deliver the position’s key duties and responsibilities and follow any other instructions as defined by his/her supervisor.

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Apply To:
Mary L. Cooke, Esq.
Human Resource Office
Delaware Department of Education
401 Federal Street
Dover, Delaware 19901
Phone:(302) 735-4030
Fax:(302) 739-7768
Email:doehr@doe.k12.de.us

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The Delaware Department of Education is an equal opportunity employer. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age or Vietnam Era veteran’s status in employment or its programs and activities.