PROJECT MANAGER - IT PROGRAMS STUDENT SUPPORT

City Colleges of Chicago’s vision is to be recognized as the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity – empowering all Chicagoans to take part in building a stronger and more just city. The community college system’s more than 3,500 faculty and staff serve more than 60,000 students annually at seven colleges and five satellite sites.

The IT Center of Excellence (COE) at City Colleges of Chicago is a vital hub for advancing technology-driven education, designed to prepare students for careers in the tech workforce or facilitate their transfer to four-year institutions. The IT COE is committed to fostering innovation in instructional technology, providing robust training and support for faculty and staff; aligning IT initiatives with academic objectives, to enhance the learning experience through the integration of cutting-edge tools and resources; and collaborating with industry partners to ensure that curricula remain relevant and responsive to the evolving demands of the workforce, ultimately empowering students to thrive in a technology-centric job market.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor- Technology Sector Strategy, the Project Manager - IT Academic Programs Student Support directs and manages the implementation of district-wide initiatives that support the recruitment, learning experiences, and retention of students enrolled in technology programs within the IT Center of Excellence, helping to ensure student completion and success.

Working collaboratively with the Director - Information Technology Programs and key stakeholders across the district’s colleges, including Enrollment, Office of Instruction, and Academic and Career Advising, the Project Manager - IT Academic Programs Student Support’s primary accountabilities include:

Ø Administration and implementation of district-wide tech student recruitment initiatives for credit and non-credit programs

Ø Development and implementation of tech student retention strategies including mentor matching, AI tutoring resources, and tech specific academic coaching

Ø Ongoing and consistent communications with students related to tech sector opportunities including networking, scholarships, and work-based learning

Ø Lead the analysis and presentation of student data to internal staff monthly and external partners as needed to inform strategy decisions.

Performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

· Develops and manages student support initiatives for IT tech credit and non-credit programs, coordinating with college administrators in identifying needs and providing services to help ensure program completion. Facilitates and coordinates technology specific professional development opportunities for academic and career advisors.

· Coordinates student recruitment activities for credit and non-credit programs in partnership with enrollment staff, the IT Pathway team, continuing education deans, and other key stakeholders.

· Builds and maintains partnerships with IT sector industry representatives to ensure IT tech programs maintain alignment with current and emerging industry needs.

· Oversees initiatives to provide students with industry mentorship opportunities, peer-to-peer mentorship activities, and related tech career activities to prepare students for careers in the IT tech sector.

· Implements strategies to develop and maintain ongoing communications with IT tech alumni.

· Serves as the lead for district-wide events and external events targeting tech students.

· Serves as the lead representative for tech student events at the campus level.

· Works with college administrators to connect tech students to special opportunities such as industry memberships, tech scholarships, conferences, and field trips.

· Participates in grant writing for additional funding and resources and the administration of awarded grants. Oversees grant compliance and reporting activities.

· Maintains data on student enrollment, progress towards completion, participation in work-based learning experiences, and other performance metrics. Analyzes data and prepares reports.

· Implements communications tactics for the IT Center of Excellence in partnership with the Marketing and Communications department.

· Travels to CCC campuses and locations throughout the Chicago region as needed.

· Performs other duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To Associate Vice Chancellor- Technology Sector Strategy

Supervision None

QUALIFICATIONS

· A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in computer science, media science, engineering, technical education, IT, or related field

· Three years of administration experience in an academic or academic adjacent institution, preferably in areas such as support services, workforce development, or STEM education programs

· Experience in recruiting and retaining youth/young adults for technology based or workforce development programs preferred

· Grant administration, reporting, and compliance experience desirable

· Knowledge of computer science and information technology competencies necessary for employment in the tech sector.

· Excellent presentation, oral, written, and communication skills .

· Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills

· Strong relationship management skills

· Ability to work with and relate to a culturally diverse student body and staff.

· Must be able to travel to CCC campuses and locations throughout the Chicago region as needed.

· Familiarity with Canva or similar platform for designing visual content.

· Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint)

Approved by Compensation Design & Strategy Date: December 9, 2024

WE OFFER: Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire. Thank you for your interest in CCC!