This is a NON-CLASSIFIED employment opportunity.  Visit the State of Colorado for Classified employment opportunities.   

INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT - Applicants must be a current, active Pikes Peak State College employee within the 2025 calendar year, any capacity.

The Associate Director of High School Programs serves as a strategic and relational leader within the division with a service model that inspires excellence, models accountability, and advances the college’s mission through service, collaboration, and trust.

This role champions a culture of responsiveness, professionalism, and integrity across all aspects of high school programming. The Associate Director ensures that partnerships, operations, and communication systems work seamlessly to provide students with high-quality, timely, and equitable access to college-credit opportunities. Guided by precision, empathy, and purpose, this leader fosters alignment, clarity, and a shared commitment to student success across the College and its educational partners.

The Associate Director of High School Programs is expected to maintain a visible presence across the PPSC service area, engaging regularly with internal departments, high school partners, and community organizations. This position requires occasional travel between campuses and partner sites.

While the role is primarily campus-based to support team collaboration and partner engagement, some remote work may be negotiable in alignment with departmental needs, institutional policy, and the nature of assigned duties.

The college offers the possibility for alternative work arrangements such as flexplace, remote work, or flextime scheduling upon completion of training and department needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completed Master’s degree in education, Higher Education Administration, or closely related field.
• Three years of progressively responsible experience in secondary or postsecondary education involving program operations, concurrent enrollment, or partnership coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage complex projects, and meet strict deadlines within multifaceted educational environments.
• Experience collaborating effectively with diverse students, staff, and partner populations to achieve shared goals.
• Proficiency in data management and compliance, including maintaining accurate student records, understanding FERPA regulations, and preparing reports for institutional and state requirements.
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments (e.g., faculty, marketing, IT, student services) to coordinate events, implement training, and manage logistics in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Professional level experience is defined by the Colorado Division of Human Resources: A position that involves the exercise of discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, or sharing an organized body of knowledge.  Colorado revised statute (C.R.S. 24-50-135(1) allows colleges to exempt positions from the State Personnel Classified System that are determined to be professional level work.

Preferred Qualifications

For full consideration, all application materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. on November 21, 2025. 

INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT - Applicants must be a current, active Pikes Peak State College employee within the 2025 calendar year, any capacity.

Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.

Visa support is not available for this position.

Application Instructions:  Application must be submitted online.  Incomplete applications may not receive full consideration.  A complete application will include:

• Cover letter - Address the minimum and preferred qualifications in the order listed on the job announcement.
• Resume - Reflect experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  
• Unofficial Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts for all degrees conferred.  Official transcripts are required if hired for the position.  
• Professional References - Provide names and contact information for three recent professional references who can address your expertise and background for this position.

This position may be eligible for a variety of employee benefits.  Pikes Peak State College participates in the Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates.

Note: Prior submission of application materials will not be considered.

Essential Functions 

The Associate Director of High School Programs is responsible for providing leadership, coordination, and oversight for all high school program areas, including Career Start, PIVOT, Campus Pathways, and Articulation. This position ensures that programs operate with integrity, alignment, and excellence in collaboration with academic divisions, Student Services, and district partners.

Responsibilities include the development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of program systems, partnerships, and operations to advance equitable student access, high-quality instruction, and institutional compliance. The functions below reflect major areas of responsibility and are essential to the success of the High School Programs department.

 Leadership and Accountability

• Serve as a visible, service-oriented leader who models professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
• Provide direction and coaching to the High School Program Initiatives Coordinator and the High School Programs Alignment Coordinator, setting clear expectations for communication, timeliness, and deliverables.
• Demonstrate composure and empathy under pressure while fostering collaboration, reliability, and solution-oriented problem solving.
• Support the Senior Director in executing divisional priorities aligned with CCCS and PPSC strategic initiatives.
• Engage regularly and productively with departments such as Academic Divisions, Student Services, Institutional Effectiveness, Facility Load and Compensation, and Finance to ensure operational efficiency and alignment with college goals.

Program Operations and Process Management

• Lead the timely collection and management of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) from all high school partners in accordance with CCCS and college policies.
• Oversee the entirety of the course build processes ensuring alignment with FLAC timelines, accurate documentation, and effective coordination with academic and operational divisions.
• Lead and support Career Start, PIVOT, Campus Pathways, and Articulation processes to maintain accuracy and alignment across all programs, stepping in as the responsible point of contact during staff absences to ensure seamless operations.
• Anticipate and resolve operational barriers that could delay schedules, reporting, or partner communications.

Communication and Partner Engagement

• Cultivate clear, timely, and respectful communication with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Represent the division with professionalism and diplomacy in meetings, presentations, and advisory engagements.
• Strengthen collaboration between High School Programs and other college departments to streamline workflows and promote alignment.
• Respond promptly to inquiries from districts, counselors, administrators, and faculty.
• Keep partners informed of deadlines, updates, and procedural expectations.

Compliance and Quality Assurance

• Champion a culture of compliance and integrity by guiding all division operations in alignment with CCCS guidelines, FERPA, MOUs, institutional policy, and leadership directives.
• Maintain accuracy in data reporting, transcription, articulation, and records management.
• Standardize templates, operating procedures, and quality assurance practices across programs.
• Conduct periodic reviews to assess efficiency, compliance, and areas for improvement.

Continuous Improvement and Data Integrity

• Define, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) such as timeliness, accuracy, and partner satisfaction.
• Use data to identify and implement improvements that enhance operational effectiveness and student outcomes.
• Translate feedback from partners, students, and staff into actionable process enhancements.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director in preparing institutional, state, and national reports.

 Strategic & Community Leadership

• Build and sustain strong relationships with district leaders, counselors, faculty, and community partners.
• Collaborate across college divisions to ensure coordinated service delivery, operational alignment, and shared accountability for student success.
• Represent the college at community and partner events with professionalism and responsiveness.

Faculty, Staff & Operational Support

• Lead onboarding and training events for new high school counselors to ensure understanding of concurrent enrollment procedures, advising practices, and communication protocols.
• Provide ongoing professional development for counselors to strengthen collaboration and data integrity across partner schools.
• Support Career Start and PIVOT faculty in understanding program expectations, student support protocols, and communication practices.
• Lead cross-training initiatives with other college departments to promote consistent processes and best practices for serving high school students.
• Support Enrollment Services, Advising, Financial Aid, and Student Services in building capacity to serve dual and concurrent enrollment students effectively.
• Collaborate with the Senior Director to attend state, regional, and national trainings or conferences; share strategies, tools, and lessons learned to inform continuous improvement.
• Assist in planning and facilitating faculty and staff meetings, professional development sessions, and divisional events that foster shared learning and cohesion.
• Partner with IT and Marketing to maintain accurate and accessible program websites, forms, and communication materials.
• Oversee operational logistics program needs ensuring timely communication and resolution.

General Duties, Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Ability to navigate differences effectively and respectfully in the workplace.
• Provide vision, leadership, and oversight to ensure the Career Start, PIVOT, Campus Pathways, and Articulation programs operate with consistency, efficiency, and excellence.
• Serve as the primary escalation point and decision-making authority for complex issues related to Career Start, PIVOT, and other high school programs, ensuring timely and informed resolutions.
• Lead the development, monitoring, and continuous improvement of systems for data accuracy, student progress tracking, enrollment management, and FERPA compliance.
• Guide staff in prioritizing and managing multiple concurrent projects across program areas while maintaining alignment with divisional goals and college timelines.
• Oversee program-level coaching, mentoring, and student support systems by ensuring staff are equipped to meet the academic, social-emotional, and developmental needs of participating students.
• Foster collaboration between college departments, high school partners, and external professionals to ensure comprehensive, coordinated student support and seamless program delivery.
• Provide leadership and direction for course scheduling, curriculum alignment, and faculty engagement in partnership with academic divisions.
• Supervise the creation, facilitation, and evaluation of onboarding activities for students, faculty, and counselors to ensure a consistent and welcoming experience.
• Lead strategic outreach and engagement efforts to expand awareness of PPSC’s high school programs among students, families, and district partners.
• Oversee communication systems and documentation protocols to ensure clarity, responsiveness, and confidentiality in all interactions with students and stakeholders.
• Evaluate and strengthen program processes through reflection, assessment data, and stakeholder feedback, applying best practices learned from trainings and conferences.
• Represent High School Programs at institutional, regional, and state meetings, articulating program impact, addressing issues, and advancing strategic priorities.
• Promote a culture of professional integrity, accountability, and service across the division, modeling the college’s values of collaboration, inclusion, and excellence.

As part of the State of Colorado, PPSC offers a competitive benefits package:

• PERA retirement benefits.
• Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) English Spanish
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage.
• Life and Disability Coverage.
• Flexible Spending Accounts. 
• Paid Holidays.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Accrued Annual and Sick Leave.
• Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

This job description reflects Pikes Peak State College’s best effort to describe the essential duties and qualifications of the job.  It is not an exhaustive statement of all the duties, responsibilities or qualifications of the job.  This document is not intended to exclude an opportunity for modifications consistent with providing reasonable accommodation.   

EEO Statement: Pikes Peak State College is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Americans with Disabilities Act institution.  We value diversity, strive for a more unified campus where all people are valued, treated fairly, and possess a sense of belonging.  Pikes Peak State College encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.