The Director of Talent Search leads the development, implementation, administration, and evaluation of the federally funded Talent Search Program. This full-time, 12-month position is supported by a five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education and will be based on the College’s Davidson Campus, with regular travel to Thomasville and Lexington City Schools. The Director reports to the Senior Director of Student Engagement & Success and is responsible for the following:

Essential Job Functions:

• Collaborates with Thomasville and Lexington City Schools administrators, teachers, and counselors to identify program participants and execute initiatives aimed at improving high school persistence, graduation, and postsecondary enrollment.
• Ensures compliance with program requirements, including policy development, federal report submissions, and maintenance of accurate and confidential student records.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of federal regulations and resources available for program participants.
• Develops and coordinates programming that offers academic, financial, career, and personal assistance to participants and their parents.
• Acts as a community liaison, organizing and leading planning and review meetings with Talent Search staff, Davidson Davie Community College  TRIO office, guidance counselors, and community partners.
• Manages the student identification system and the applicant selection process, including the development of workshops for participants and families.
• Supervises Talent Search staff, overseeing training, professional development, and performance evaluations to ensure effective service delivery.
• Conducts team meetings to review timelines, discuss objectives, and assess program progress, while also meeting one-on-one with staff.
• Participates in meetings with Davidson Davie Community College  leadership to discuss program policies, resource allocation, and operational issues.
• Collaborates with the college's marketing department to promote the Talent Search Program and implement outreach strategies to engage potential participants and stakeholders.
• Evening and weekend work may be required to fulfill program objectives and support participants.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree or higher in education, administration, counseling, or a related field.
• Three years of experience managing programs that serve low-income, first-generation, or at-risk students in their pursuit of high school graduation and post-secondary education.
• Experience delivering academic advising services and guidance on 21st-century employability skills, non-cognitive skills, as well as information related to college, career, financial aid, and economic literacy to a designated group of secondary school students.
• Three years of supervisory experience.
• Experience in managing or administering grant programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with federal Department of Education programs or TRiO Programs.
• Work experience with North Carolina’s public schools and/or community organizations
• Work experience in a college setting
• Fluency in Spanish
• Experience with Blumen database

About Davidson Davie Community College

Davidson County Community College is a member of the North Carolina Community College system. DCCC serves Davidson/Davie and adjoining counties with the main campus located on the border of Lexington and Thomasville, and the Davie campus located in Mocksville. We also have three satellite education centers in the area for students who find it convenient to study in a smaller environment. Davidson County Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. (See Davidson County Community College website – www.davidsonccc.edu – Street Address: 297 DCCC Road, Thomasville, NC 27360-7385 – Post Office Address: P.O. Box 1287, Lexington, NC 27293-1287)Davidson County Community College’s mission is to develop minds, inspire imaginations, and prepare students for enhanced career and educational opportunities within a changing global environment.

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