Department: Gator Success Institute
Salary: $72,265 - $88,524
Description:
JOB SUMMARY:
The Director of Gator Success Institute elevates student retention, persistence, and degree completion by building a coordinated, data-driven ecosystem of support that helps students navigate their academic journey successfully. The Director ensures the institution can proactively identify student needs, remove barriers, and deliver high-impact programs that strengthen the first-year experience, academic coaching, mentoring, and support for underserved populations. Ultimately, the director advances a campus culture where every student is equipped, supported, and empowered to reach graduation.
DUTIES:
- Oversees daily operations of GSI and provides strategic leadership to ensure programs and services align with institutional student-success goals.
- Develops and implements a comprehensive vision that advances retention, academic achievement, and degree completion.
- Serves as a thought leader and advocate for innovative, research-based student-success practices.
- Directs the implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of initiatives, including academic coaching, first-year experience programming, peer mentoring, and support for underserved populations.
- Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure retention, graduation, and student satisfaction outcomes.
- Leads the department in utilizing data to assess program effectiveness, identify gaps, and inform strategic enhancements.
- Prepares and presents reports on retention, persistence, and student performance trends, and implements continuous improvement plans based on data analysis and best practices.
- Manages departmental budgets, expenditures, and financial compliance in accordance with institutional and award requirements.
- Supervises, mentors, and develops departmental staff to foster a high-performing, student-centered team.
- Partners with academic departments, faculty, and student services to streamline student support pathways and remove barriers to student success.
- Serves as the primary liaison between academic and non-academic units to ensure coordinated, holistic support for students.
- Builds partnerships with external organizations to secure funding, resources, and opportunities that strengthen GSI programs and student outcomes.
MARGINAL DUTIES - Serves on divisional and institutional campus committees as assigned.
- Supports weekend and evening departmental, institutional, and divisional programming.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Master's degree from an accredited college/university
Experience: Five (5) years of related job experience
License/Certification: None required
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Master's degree in higher education, educational management, educational organization, leadership, student affairs/development, or related field or doctorate degree from an accredited college/university in a relevant field.
- Experience designing and implementing first year experience programs.
- Familiarity with predictive analytics and student success platforms.
- Experience with grant writing and budgets.
- Track record of securing external funding or partnerships to enhance student support services.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge:
- Knowledge of visionary leadership, student success theories, development, and best practices.
- Knowledgeable in managing change and leading organizational improvements.
- Proficient in using data to inform decisions and programs.
Skills:
- Expertise in managing change and leading departmental initiatives.
Abilities:
- Ability to maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
WORK LOCATION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Primary Work Location:
- Works in an office environment.
Physical Demands:
- Work is performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements.
- Individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks.
All positions at the University of Houston-System are security sensitive and will require a criminal history check.
