Senior Director of Pre-College Pathways

Job Description

Job Description

Company Description

The University of Notre Dame is more than a workplace! We are a vibrant, mission-driven community where every employee is valued and supported. Rooted in a tradition of excellence and inspired by our Catholic character, Notre Dame is committed to fostering an environment of care that nurtures the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Here, you will find a deep sense of belonging, a culture that prioritizes well-being, and the opportunity to grow your career while being a force for good in the world. Whether contributing to world-class research, shaping the student experience, or supporting the University’s mission in other ways, you will be part of a dedicated team working to make a meaningful impact on campus and beyond. At Notre Dame, your work matters, and so do you!

Job Description

The University of Notre Dame, the leading Catholic global research University, offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional students the opportunity to pursue their academic endeavors in a scholarly community that is enriched by Catholic intellectual and cultural traditions. As the University advances the vision outlined in Notre Dame 2033: A Strategic Framework, the Undergraduate Enrollment team is seeking an innovative, mission-oriented, and strategic leader for the position of Senior Director of Pre-College Pathways.

The Undergraduate Enrollment Division works to open doors to a Notre Dame education, empowering students to pursue, discover, and share knowledge, truth, and faith as a powerful means for good. The division is committed to creating socioeconomic mobility for students from all pathways, increasing the global Catholic community on its campus, and ensuring that the Notre Dame undergraduate student body represents the gifts and experiences of the full human family.

Reporting to the Executive Director for Enrollment Management, this pivotal leadership role is responsible for architecting the strategic vision and providing direct leadership and oversight for two vital institutional assets: the Office of Pre-College Programs and the Notre Dame TRIO Programs.

The Office of Pre-College Programs delivers highly selective, rigorous academic and residential experiences for high-achieving high school students from across the globe, inviting them to engage with Notre Dame’s world-class faculty and distinctive Catholic mission. Complementing this global outreach, the Notre Dame TRIO Programs encompass federally funded initiatives (such as Upward Bound and Talent Search) deeply rooted in the local community, providing critical college-access resources, mentorship, and advocacy for first-generation and low-income students. Together under the Director's leadership, these departments will create a cohesive and powerful ecosystem that expands educational opportunity, drives socioeconomic mobility, and cultivates the next generation of mission-aligned leaders.

The successful candidate will be a visionary strategist, an exceptional communicator, and a master relationship-builder. They will be tasked with coordinating a comprehensive pathways strategy that ensures talented and mission-aligned pre-college and community students are inspired by, prepared for, and connected to higher education opportunities. By leveraging collaborative partnerships across the division, campus, and broader community, this leader will ensure a seamless and transformative journey from early academic outreach to enrollment readiness.

Specific responsibilities of the position include the following:

• Strategic Pathway Management: Develop and coordinate a comprehensive strategic vision for the University's pre-college and access pathways, ensuring programs align with the University's mission and broader enrollment goals.
• Divisional Leadership: Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and strategic direction to the Pre-College Programs team and the TRIO Programs team, ensuring their efforts are integrated, compliant, and mission-aligned.
• Access and Outreach Strategy: Oversee the design and delivery of high-impact pre-college academic experiences and federally funded TRIO initiatives that articulate the value of higher education to both global and local student populations.
• Programmatic Engagement: Lead the execution of world-class on-campus residential, virtual, and community-based initiatives that foster a deep sense of belonging, academic capability, and community for participating students.
• Strategic Collaboration: Partner closely with Undergraduate Admissions and enrollment leadership to align early talent identification with future recruitment pipelines, utilizing data-informed insights to optimize program efficacy.
• Cross-Functional Partnership: Collaborate with senior leadership, faculty across academic colleges and schools, local school districts, and community stakeholders to deliver a compelling experience for all students.
• Innovation and Compliance: Stay abreast of federal regulations, youth protection guidelines, best practices, and emerging trends in college access and pre-college programming to ensure Notre Dame remains a leader in the field.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• 5+ years of experience in higher education or a similar industry (specifically within college access, pre-college, or student success programming)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s or Doctoral degree
• Exceptional communication (written and oral), presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively influence and inspire multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills, with proven experience in developing and implementing data-driven strategies that have resulted in measurable improvements.
• A strong understanding of college readiness frameworks, federal TRIO grant regulations, and enrollment management principles within a highly selective university environment.
• Experience leading student access, youth programming, or academic-enrichment teams in a fast-paced, mission-driven organization.

Additional Information

Hiring Pay Range : Commensurate with experience

Application Deadline to Apply : August 24, 2026

Required Documents to Apply : Resume & Cover Letter

The University of Notre Dame seeks to attract, develop, and retain the highest quality faculty, staff and administration. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or age in employment. Moreover, Notre Dame prohibits discrimination against veterans or disabled qualified individuals, and complies with 41 CFR 60-741.5(a) and 41 CFR 60-300.5(a). We strongly encourage applications from candidates attracted to a university with a Catholic identity.