Senior Associate Director for Educational Access

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!

The Senior Associate Director for Educational Access is a pivotal leadership role dedicated to advancing the mission of ACE and the Institute for Educational Initiatives. This position balances high-level strategic oversight with hands-on program cultivation, focusing on leadership formation, education policy, and the development of the next generation of Catholic education advocates.

Reporting to the Senior Director for Strategy and Access, you will bridge the gap between visionary policy programming and impactful undergraduate internships.

Core Responsibilities

1. People Leadership | 20%

As a "People Leader," you will cultivate talent and oversee the human capital driving our mission forward.

• Personnel Management: Serve as the direct supervisor and mentor for the Associate Program Director of Educational Access.
• Team Oversight: Manage undergraduate interns, ACE summer interns, and ERA Fellows assigned to both PEA and Frassati Internship projects.

2. Program for Educational Access (PEA) | 50%

You will lead the design and implementation of leadership formation and education policy programming.

Reform Leaders’ Summit (RLS) Leadership:

• Operations & Logistics: Oversee Summit execution, including travel, lodging, budget management, and communications.
• Cohort Construction: Coordinate all candidate recruitment, evaluation, and selection efforts.
• Curriculum Development: Partner with the Senior Director of Strategy and Access to design session curricula and recruit expert facilitators.
• Digital Learning: Develop content for the Summit’s online learning modules.
• Alumni Engagement: Design and organize ongoing policy programming for the RLS alumni network.

Additional PEA Initiatives:

• Strategic Programming: Develop content for policy convenings involving Church leaders, policymakers, and scholarship operators.
• Development Support: Assist in identifying potential funders, drafting grant proposals, and managing grant reporting.

3. Frassati Internship | 30%

Serve as the Program Coordinator for this flagship internship, which recruits and forms college undergraduates for business internships serving Catholic education.

• Program Leadership: Drive the strategic planning, fundraising, budgeting, and hiring.
• Operations & Growth: Manage partnerships, recruitment, and day-to-day operations to ensure a transformative experience for interns and partner organizations.

 

Organizational Collaboration

The Senior Associate Director is a collaborative force within the Institute. In addition to core duties, you will undertake other responsibilities as assigned by:

• The Executive Director of ACE
• The Senior Director of Educational Access & Strategy
• The Senior Associate Director of Enrollment and Recruitment

• Education Qualifications: Master’s degree or Bachelor’s degree (5 years) or advanced certification beyond Bachelor’s
• Experience: 3 to 4 years
• Degree Qualifications: Education field
• Skill Qualifications: Advanced written and interpersonal skills. facility communicating with prospective applicants – with a particular focus on writing. Classroom teaching experience is not required, but extremely valuable, preferably in a Catholic school.An understanding and appreciation for the mission of Notre Dame and the Institute, including the Institute’s unique commitment to K-12 Catholic education and educational researchClassroom teaching experience is not required, but extremely valuable, preferably in a Catholic school.

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter (Please attach in the additional documents section)
• Writing Sample (Please attach in the additional documents section)

This position will be accepting applications until April 30th.

 

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.