Program Manager, School and Family Services – GEAR UP Kentucky

Location:                  Frankfort, KY, with limited telecommuting
Travel:                       Occasional in-state and our-of-state travel required.
Compensation:       $75,000 - $80,000
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

Planning, Development & Implementation of School Support Services: 

• Develop, communicate and implement an annual school support services plan aligned to the GUK Strategic Plan.  
• Develop and coordinate annual school sustainability planning process with Director of District Services. 
• Coordinate school partner participation in initial onboarding and annual convening of district partners. 

• Coordinate school partner participation in CPE Student Access Summit. 

• Manage communication and implementation of college readiness assessment program in partner districts in coordination with external partner. 
• Manage communication and implementation of Access to Algebra and College Readiness Program in coordination with AdvanceKY. 
• Coordinate annual district participation in NCCEP District Leadership Institute. 
• Coordinate and monitor school participation in Family Friendly Certification program in collaboration with Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. 
• Develop, improve and disseminate school advising plan and resources in collaboration with Kentucky Advising Academy. 
• Provide information, materials and training to GUK direct services staff to support effective communication and implementation of school support services in GUK districts. 
• Provide programmatic and administrative support to Director of District Services 

Planning, Development & Implementation of Family Services: 

• Develop, communicate and implement an annual family services plan aligned to the GUK Strategic Plan.  
• Develop, implement and continuously improve family text outreach program in coordination with external partner. 
• Develop, disseminate and continuously improve family promotional, outreach and curricula materials aligned to student services. 
• Develop, coordinate and facilitate GUK Parent Ambassador Council program. 
• Provide information, materials and training to GUK direct services staff to implement family services and effectively engage and support GUK families.  

Other: 

• Prepare quarterly progress reports as part of the GUK Strategic Stocktake continuous improvement process. 

• Represent GEAR UP, CPE, and Kentucky at conferences and meetings as assigned. 

• Attend GEAR UP/NCCEP conference(s) as requested; presentation of sessions may be required. 

• Other duties as assigned by the Director of District Services, Executive Director, or CPE leadership  

Education and Experience

Minimum Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in education, sociology, public administration, project management, or other related discipline  

• 10 years professional experience, including experience in the education sector 

Preferred Education/Experience: 

• Master’s degree or above 

• Work experience in a K-12 school setting. 

• Work experience in a grant-funded environment and/or grant administration.  

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. 
• Communicate with clarity and professionalism while building collaborative relationships across diverse audiences, including students, families, educators, internal staff, and external partners. 
• Demonstrate strategic planning skills to design and align school and family support services with organizational goals. 
• Exhibit advanced project and program management skills to oversee multiple statewide initiatives and convenings simultaneously. 
• Manage partnerships effectively with schools, districts, and external organizations to deliver college readiness and academic support programs 
• Produce clear, concise, and professionally written communications. 
• 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.