Program Director, Eileen Hoffman Hafer UMatter - St. Petersburg
The Program Director provides full-time, on-campus leadership for the daily operation of UMatter. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Program Director translates the program’s mission and strategic priorities into coordinated academic, employment, independent-living, residential, transition, and campus-engagement services. The Program Director has primary responsibility for day-to-day program administration, personnel supervision, student support, family communication, budget implementation, policy compliance, quality assurance, and coordination across program areas.
The successful candidate will be an experienced and collaborative leader who can establish clear expectations, coordinate a multidisciplinary team, address complex student and personnel matters, and maintain strong relationships across the university and community. The Executive Director retains responsibility for strategic direction, institutional leadership, fundraising, external relations, and final program oversight.
Responsibilities
- Provide daily on-campus leadership and operational oversight for UMatter, ensuring effective program delivery and a supportive, inclusive student experience.
- Supervise, develop, and evaluate professional staff, graduate assistants, peer mentors, instructors, and student employees; establish clear expectations, accountability, and collaboration across program functions.
- Coordinate an integrated student experience encompassing academics, career preparation, internships, employment, independent living, transition planning, residential supports, and campus engagement.
- Oversee the student lifecycle from recruitment, admissions, onboarding, orientation, and registration through ongoing participation, program completion, and transition into and out of the program.
- Foster effective communication and partnerships with students and families while promoting student self-determination, adult decision-making, confidentiality, and increasing independence.
- Implement and document program policies, student success plans, probation, complaints, behavioral expectations, and emergency or early exits; address and escalate significant student, family, personnel, residential, and operational concerns.
- Ensure compliance with university policies, FPCTP requirements, accreditation, grant obligations, and applicable standards; oversee data collection, program evaluation, outcome reporting, and continuous improvement.
- Manage program resources and operating budgets in collaboration with the Executive Director and university/foundation partners, while representing UMatter with campus, community, employer, donor, and state/national partners to support outreach, alumni engagement, and program sustainability.
Qualifications
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in a field directly related to the program responsibilities and seven years of professional experience, or a master’s degree and five years of professional experience. Education and experience substitutions will be considered in accordance with applicable Florida law and university policy.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in special education, rehabilitation, higher education, student affairs, social work, counseling, educational leadership, nonprofit administration, or a related field.
Experience administering an inclusive postsecondary education, disability support, transition, residential education, student services, or comparable education or human-services program.
Experience supervising professional staff and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
Experience supporting individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Knowledge of person-centered planning, self-determination, transition services, employment supports, independent living, and inclusive education.
Experience managing budgets, grants, contracts, purchasing, and program resources.
Experience developing and implementing policies and responding to sensitive student, family, or personnel matters.
Experience with program evaluation, accreditation, compliance, and outcome reporting.
Demonstrated success in collaborative leadership, conflict resolution, professional communication, and relationship development.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of inclusive postsecondary education and the educational, employment, independent-living, and social-support needs of students with intellectual disabilities.
Ability to lead, supervise, develop, and hold staff accountable within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment.
Ability to manage complex student and personnel matters with consistency, discretion, empathy, and sound judgment.
Ability to establish effective operational systems, clarify responsibilities, coordinate workflow, and monitor follow-through.
Strong written, oral, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to interpret and implement university policies and applicable program standards.
Ability to manage budgets, analyze program information, monitor outcomes, and prepare clear reports.
Ability to build effective relationships with students, families, faculty, employers, community organizations, funders, and university partners.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference. Learn more at www.usf.edu.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.