GEAR UP Project Director (0079805T)

Title : GEAR UP Project Director

Position Number : T

Hiring Unit : OFF VP ACADEMIC STRATEGY, HAWAII P-20

Location : Manoa Campus

Date Posted : December 31, 2025

Closing Date : January 15, 2026; 11:59PM HST

Salary : salary schedules and placement information

Additional Salary Information : PBC, minimum $6,625/mo

Full Time/Part Time : Full-time

Temporary/Permanent : Temporary

Other Conditions : The position is renewable based on availability of funding

Duties & Responsibilities

• ** Oversees the GEAR UP Hawaii federal grant project, administering all project operations and maintaining strategic working relationships with partners throughout the UH System, the Hawaii Department of Education (HIDOE), community organizations, businesses, etc.
• ** Provides staff support and leadership in the field of managing a complex, multi-year, multi-agency matching grant.
• ** Serves as the technical manager/supervisor of the GEAR UP Hawaii program, requiring substantial interfacing, directing, coordinating, planning, scheduling, reporting, and evaluating across broad organizational lines (e.g., UH campuses, DOE, etc.).
• ** Develops, implements, and monitors the policies, procedures, and use of resources to carry out the project in coordination with agencies, statewide organizations, K-12 schools, colleges, service providers, and community and business leaders.
• Recruits, selects, and supervises qualified individuals for professional and staff support positions.
• Analyzes costs and benefits of contracting vs. performing work in-house, provides technical and fiscal requirements, descriptions of work, and plans; and establishes and assesses work schedules and performance standards for staff, contractors, and subgrantees.
• ** Carries out fiscal, personnel, and reporting functions necessary to meet the project's goals and provide for its effective and efficient operation.
• ** Oversees all project budgets, including in-kind matching funds, and ensures full and proper utilization of federal, state, and private resources in compliance with grant requirements.
• ** Serves as technical resource for identifying, documenting, and certifying in-kind matching resources; secures sufficient matching funds from state and private sources to meet dollar-for-dollar match requirement of GEAR UP grant.
• ** Develops, trains staff to implement, and monitors appropriate systems for records and reports, including online systems used by partners, to ensure financial accountability and reporting.
• ** Communicates and monitors appropriate use of fiscal and other resources by staff, contractors, and partners.
• Keeps abreast of federal regulations regarding GEAR UP and college access programs; provides training and guidance to staff members on federal regulations and compliance issues.
• ** Ensures the completeness and accuracy of financial, program, and outcome reporting to the Office of Research Services and funding agencies.
• Convenes and partners with University of Hawaii administrators, faculty, and other professionals at the ten campuses in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs to facilitate outreach to K-12 schools to improve higher education access.
• ** Represents GEAR UP Hawaii in national conferences; participates in leadership opportunities in GEAR UP and college access professional communities.
• Prepares and writes proposals (e.g., GEAR UP grant and other related projects) to sponsors, soliciting support for various projects and initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

(NOTE: ** denotes Essential Functions)

Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Education, Educational Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Work, Community Service, Public Service, Planning/Policy and/or Liberal Arts, or related field and 6 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for implementation of programs and/or education policy or grant administration; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
• Advanced and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a wide range of developing and emerging concepts, principles and methodologies of program and/or grant administration/implementation.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of a wide range of principles, theories, federal and state laws and systems associated with program and/or grant administration/implementation.
• Demonstrated ability to understand problems from a broad interactive perspective and use reasoning to discern underlying principles and issues when problem solving, and apply creative thinking to resolve problems in new and unprecedented approaches.
• Demonstrated written and verbal competence in presenting ideas, concepts and models clearly using persuasion and negotiation to build consensus and cooperation.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.
• For supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of federal regulations, Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR) and the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing and administering record keeping systems and procedures, and monitoring program budgets and matching contributions for large, multi-agency grants.
• Experience in utilizing online tools for project management and dissemination of information.
• Working knowledge of UH and RCUH fiscal policies and procedures related to grant administration, budgeting, and personnel management.
• Demonstrated written and verbal competence in communicating complex grant requirements, negotiating partnerships, and presenting program outcomes to diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical skills to interpret and apply UH, State and Federal guidelines, rules and regulations to the situation.

Desirable Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Education, Educational Administration, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Work, Community Service, Public Service, Planning/Policy and/or Liberal Arts, or related field from a college or university of recognized standing.
• Eight (8) or more years of progressive experience in organizational leadership, fiscal management, staff supervision, and federal grant administration, preferably within a post‑secondary research institution.
• Extensive experience administering a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
• Direct experience working collaboratively with University of Hawaii undergraduate programs and the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE).
• Direct experience or high‑level familiarity with the GEAR UP program or similar federal/state college access initiatives (e.g., TRIO).
• Knowledge of undergraduate admissions and financial aid processes.

To Apply

Click on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach required documents. Applicant must submit the following: (1) resume, (2) cover letter indicating interest in the position and how the minimum and desirable qualifications of the position are met, (3) the names and contact information (telephone number and email addresses) of at least three professional references, and (4) copies of educational transcripts with CONFIDENTIAL DATA (i.e., social security number, birth date, etc.) REDACTED. If requested transcripts are unobtainable by closing date, please indicate so where transcripts are required as an attachment. You will have a grace period of 7 days from closing date (01/27/2026) to email copies of your transcripts to Official transcripts will be required if selected to fill the position. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

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Inquiries: Erika Hall, , EEO, Clery Act, ADA.

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

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In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link:

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