Program Manager-Mississippi Mission Acceleration

Note for Current UM Employees

Current employees must apply internally via ConnectU > connectu.olemiss.edu

The University of Mississippi

"The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.”

Department Summary

The Center for Excellence in Literacy Instruction is housed within the School of Education. The CELI's vision is to enable Mississippi to be a national leader in supporting families, educators and communities to ensure that all children build strong foundations for lifelong success. The mission is to build family, educator and community capacity to strengthen children's language, literacy, and executive function development by assisting large-scale adoption of evidence-based programs and resources, enhancing individualized support in early learning settings, facilitating community engagement and partnership, and advocating for supportive policies and investments. CELI staff are passionate about the vision and mission statements and align all work to the statements. Projects within CELI exist to move these statements forward across the state and are interwoven so that staff can form a cohesive support system in communities.

Role Specifications

Below you will find classification and compensation information.  For additional details behind the University of Mississippi classification system please visit Human Resource Compensation Page

Family -  Administration 

Sub-Family - Project Management

Career Track / Level - P2

Grade - 8

Role Summary

Manages the development and implementation of an academic program or set of funded activities. Programs are usually focused to a single purpose, may be scientific, research, educational, or service oriented, and may exist as a subset of an integrated funded program activity. Oversees fiscal and grant planning, program implementation and administration, marketing, and communication.

The individual in this position will provide programmatic management and oversight for Mission Acceleration partner sites throughout the state which requires extensive travel to partner sites across the state. The incumbent provides supervision and support to partner site staff and college student academic guides (tutors), manages and participates in the execution of project implementation, creates and delivers family engagement education materials, and cultivates relationships with colleges and universities for recruitment purposes.

Examples of Work Performed

• Provides ongoing support to partner site staff and college student academic guides (tutors).

• Assists with coordination of materials, supplies, and resources needed at partner sites.

• Provides supervision, guidance, and support to partner site staff and academic guides (tutors) in the implementation of Mission Acceleration programming.

• Facilitates recurring site visits to build relationships and partnerships with stakeholders at partner sites.

• Determines needs/areas of growth for college student volunteers and develops/assists with training materials for training and support sessions both in-person and virtual.

• Communicates consistently with the Mission Acceleration Director concerning program implementation at partner sites.

• Assists with on-boarding processes for college student volunteers assigned to project partner sites, as well as onboarding new project partner sites.

• Manages and participates in the execution and analysis of project implementation.

• Oversees technology and web-based project accounts for Mission Acceleration K-5 students, as well as college student academic guides (tutors) for assigned partner sites.

• Communicates weekly assessment and/or platform usage to all program staff, as well as partner site staff and college student academic guides (tutors).

• Conducts literacy assessments for K-5 students at project partner sites.

• Creates and delivers family engagement materials for college student academic guides (tutors) and project partner site staff members to utilize in communication with K-5 students families.

• Assists with data collection and management for Mission Acceleration programming.

• Assists with recruitment of key stakeholders

• Cultivates and maintains partnerships with colleges and universities.

• Ensures higher education partnerships create a sustainable channel of college student applicants for the program.

• Cultivates and sustains partnerships within communities where project partner sites exist, as well as other communities for potential partner sites.

• Performs related or similar duties as required or assigned.

Essential Functions

These essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following.  Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the hiring department.

1. Interacts regularly with project sponsors and stakeholders; use appropriate project management strategies for implementing requirements across a broad range of programs and initiatives.
2. Creates project artifacts, agendas, presentations, and meeting minutes for project team.
3. Assists in training new staff members in processes and procedures. 
4. May provide guidance and direction to other staff, especially as it pertains to the use of tools for effective project management.
5. Rectifies day to day issues.
6. Promotes and follow the objectives, priorities, and goals of projects through best practices and industry standard methodologies; participates in professional development activities in the practice of project and portfolio management.
7. Provides guidance to stakeholders, especially as it pertains to the use of tools for effective project management.

Minimum Education/Experience

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Experience:  (3) Three Years Experience Including Supervisory Experience

Preferred Qualifications

Please note that this position relies on external or grant funding. This position requires extensive travel to project communities across the state.

This position will not begin sooner than June 1, 2025 and start date will be negotiated.

Please provide a resume and cover letter.

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information.

Minimum Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements:  These physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. 

Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements.

Physical Exertion:  The incumbent may be required to lift up to approximately 10 pounds.

Vision:  Requirements of this job include close vision. Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening.

Motor Coordination:  While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to talk and hear; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The incumbent is periodically required to sit. The incumbent is occasionally required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.