Associate Director, Project Evaluation and Reporting – GEAR UP KY

Location:                  Frankfort, KY, with limited telecommuting
Travel:                       Occasional in-state and our-of-state travel required.
Compensation:       $87,500
Retirement:              TIAA

Overview

GEAR UP Kentucky is a federal, statewide grant program coordinated by the Council, which works with students, families, and schools in low-income Kentucky communities to support college preparation and success. GEAR UP Kentucky is designed to increase the percentage of students who graduate high school and successfully transition to and through postsecondary education. In October 2025, the Council was awarded a seven-year, $35 million grant to serve at least 10,000 students in eight high-need KY school districts, the fifth GEAR UP state grant for Kentucky that has been administered through the Council. GEAR UP positions are for the term of the grant which is through September 30, 2032.

Duties and Responsibilities

Project Reporting and Evaluation: 

• Lead implementation and continuous improvement of GUK project evaluation plan as outlined in grant proposal, ensuring alignment and integration with CPE’s strategic priorities. 

• Serve as a member of the GUK Senior Leadership Team 

• Direct and guide the work of the GUK Senior Associate for GEAR UP Data and Evaluation in collaboration with the CPE Director of Data and Advanced Analytics 

• Convene the GUK external evaluation team and CPE Data & Analytics staff to coordinate project evaluation.

• Oversee the administration of project surveys and coordinate data collection and analysis as needed. 

• Analyze program outcomes and outputs to identify trends, measure effectiveness, and inform decision-making. 

• Prepare reports, briefs, and presentations to communicate and publish findings to diverse internal and external audiences in collaboration with external evaluator, agency staff and partners. 

• Collaborate with Executive Director to complete federally required Annual and Final Performance Reports. 

Strategic Integration, Improvement and Collaboration: 

• Lead program-wide, quarterly Strategic Stocktake continuous improvement process to monitor project progress and identify opportunities and action plans for improvement. 

• Lead initiatives to align GUK program data, research, and evaluation with CPE’s data infrastructure and strategic goals. 

• Serve as data liaison with NCCEP College and Career Readiness Evaluation Consortium; attend biannual meetings. 
• Review data for trends and impact; collaborate with program and agency staff to analyze and disseminate project results on an ongoing basis.  

Data System Development and Management: 

• Serve as GUK project lead for the GEAR UP Services System (GUSS) development and operations; collaborate with CPE Data & Analytics staff and external contractors to define and meet development goals and timelines. 

• Lead the integration, maintenance and improvement of Tableau dashboards and reports related to the GUSS system. 

• Partner with CPE’s data team to integrate GUK data into state-level data systems for longitudinal tracking and analysis. 

• Serve as external liaison to develop and execute data exchange MOUs/agreements with external vendors/partners.

• Convene the GUSS management team to identify and resolve system operational issues and improve user experience. 

• Ensure and monitor the fidelity and security of all data collected in compliance with FERPA and all state and federal guidelines.  

• Make recommendations to the Senior Leadership Team to update and continuously improve data collection tools, policies, and procedures to enhance effectiveness for evaluation. 

Education and Experience

Minimum Education and Experience 

• Master’s degree with 10 years of relevant professional experience or bachelor’s degree with 15 years of relevant professional experience. 

• Experience in data analysis and program evaluation and/or research. 

Preferred Qualifications

Work experience in: 

• GEAR UP or similar college access and success program. 
• A grant-funded environment and/or grant administration. 
• Education sector. 

GEAR UP Kentucky seeks candidates who: 

• Understand and commit to the mission, vision, and goals of GEAR UP Kentucky
• Demonstrate strong leadership and a team-oriented mindset, fostering collaboration while guiding staff and partners toward shared goals and program success.
• Understand program evaluation design and research methods, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, and experience with descriptive and inferential analysis.
• Interpret and communicate program evaluation findings clearly with diverse audiences.
• Use advanced data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Excel, statistical software) and SQL and/or relational databases.
• Understand of federal and state compliance requirements related to education data, including FERPA and data security standards.
• Translate evaluation and research findings into clear, compelling stories that inform strategy, policy, and practice.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration among internal and external program partners, including external evaluators, state agencies, and education partners.
• Exhibit adaptability and change-management skills, leading teams through evolving priorities and program needs with clarity, stability, and accountability.
• Produce clear, concise, and professionally written communications.
• Demonstrate strong planning and project management skills, with the ability to balance multiple project components, timelines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to anticipate challenges and develop solutions that strengthen program outcomes.
• Approach work with precision and accountability, being detail-oriented and data-driven in decision-making and reporting.
• Commit to continuous growth and receive and respond to feedback in a constructive manner.
• Work independently while adhering to established program policies, procedures, and expectations in a hybrid environment.
• Proficiently use Microsoft Office including Excel, Teams & Outlook and manage multiple platforms to coordinate communication, scheduling, and documentation.
• Maintain a valid Kentucky driver’s license and fulfill requirements to be authorized to drive a Kentucky Division of Fleet Management vehicle.

Application Process

Interested applicants should send a letter of application specifically addressing the responsibilities and qualifications of the position, a resume, and the names, titles, and contact information for at least three professional references to CPE.HR@ky.gov.