JOB SUMMARY
The University of Connecticut’s Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy (IMRP) seeks a Senior Educational Program Administrator to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Institute’s Justice Initiative Programs.
IMRP is a dynamic, nonpartisan organization within UConn’s School of Public Policy dedicated to advancing fair, effective, and equitable public policy through applied research, data-driven analysis, and community engagement. In this role, the Senior Educational Program Administrator will oversee the Institute’s Children of Incarcerated Parents Initiative and the newly established International Justice Exchange Program.
Working closely with the IMRP Director, the successful candidate will lead the day-to-day management of Justice Initiative programs, ensuring the effective implementation of research, training, and community engagement activities. Responsibilities include coordinating research projects and stakeholder working groups, managing program resources and personnel, pursuing grant funding opportunities, and overseeing project operations to support program goals and deliverables.
The position also provides administrative and supervisory leadership, including the recruitment, training, evaluation, and mentorship of full-time staff, graduate assistants, and student employees. The Senior Educational Program Administrator will play a critical role in fostering collaboration, ensuring program effectiveness, and advancing the Institute’s justice-focused research, education, and policy initiatives.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assesses programmatic needs for the IMRP Justice Initiative Programs and delivers services and activities in accordance with their goals and objectives.
- In conjunction with the Director, IMRP, and project-specific boards, committees, commissions or similar entities, plans, directs, and administers project needs, assuring compliance with enabling laws, and developing the project’s budgets and other activities.
- Makes budget recommendations and monitors the approved budget and expenditures related to the Justice Initiative Programs. Assists in identifying resources and funding sources as needed.
- Works with the IMRP, Director and project-specific boards, committees, commissions, or similar entities, ensuring the most effective use of the project’s fiscal and human resources.
- Acts as liaison for the project to the General Assembly, Executive and Judicial branches, municipalities, practitioners, academic entities, and similar projects in other states, etc.
- Works with the Director, IMRP, and project-specific boards, committees, commissions, or similar entities to develop agreements with partnering entities, including but not limited to other universities and colleges.
- In conjunction with the IMRP Director, works to ensure the project’s activities are consistent with the IMRP, CLAS, and the University’s Strategic Plan.
- Ensures all work activities are completed in accordance with the project’s goals and objectives.
- Drafts and prepares reports for submission to internal and external entities.
- Collects and analyzes program data and participates in evaluating program effectiveness. Identifies problems and makes necessary changes.
- Provides accurate and timely information as requested or directed by the Director, IMRP, project-specific boards, committees, commissions, or similar entities.
- Trains, supervises, evaluates, and coordinates the activities of project staff. Determines work schedules and assignments to meet project needs most effectively.
- Engages in public relations and promotional activities for the project. Implements recruiting and promotional strategies in the area of responsibility.
- Updates the project’s website and ensures compliance of all project activities with the Connecticut Freedom of Information laws as applicable.
- Contributes to planning outreach programs, conferences, meetings, and seminars.
- Performs related work as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related field and six to seven years of relevant experience including research, policy development, and/or project management. Two years of experience must be serving as an advanced/senior team member or working as a project lead.
- Experience supervising and managing staff. Demonstrated experience establishing priorities, working independently, effectively, and constructively with a diverse group of individuals.
- Demonstrated experience in criminal justice policy and the needs of the children with incarcerated parents population, including familiarity with state and federal programs, research methodologies, and national trends.
- Demonstrated organizational and administrative skills, including budget development and oversight, grant writing and management, and coordination of multi-agency or institutional partnerships.
- Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills, with experience acting as a liaison to government agencies, legislators, academic partners, and community stakeholders, and a demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s degree in social sciences or related field.
- Six to seven years of experience working directly with the Children of Incarcerated Parents population, legislative bodies, or criminal justice agencies, particularly in a policy advisory or leadership capacity.
- Experience writing and editing high-quality reports, policy documents, and legislative language, with strong attention to detail and experience communicating complex policy issues clearly to a variety of audiences.
- Demonstrated success in securing and managing external funding, including grants from state, federal, or private sources to support public policy or criminal justice initiatives.
APPOINTMENT TERMS
This is a full-time, end-dated position with the possibility of renewal subject to performance and funding. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment. For additional information regarding benefits, please visit UConn Health Benefits and explore the sections under the Benefits & Leaves and Engagement & Learning headers. Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.
TO APPLY
Please apply online at Faculty and Staff Positions, Search #499665 to upload a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three (3) professional references.
This job posting is scheduled to be removed at 11:55 p.m. Eastern time on July 31, 2026.
All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics.
All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.
The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran’s status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression.
The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.