Director, Gator Success Institute

Gator Success Institute

$72,265 - $88,524

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 thefirst-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.

• 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, andinform 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.

• Serves on divisional and institutional campus committees as assigned.
• Supports weekend and evening departmental, institutional, and divisional programming.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Education:

Master's degree from an accredited college/university

Experience:

Five (5) years of related job experience
License/Certification:
None required

• 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 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.

• Expertise in managing change and leading departmental initiatives.

• Ability to maintain collaborative relationships with internal and externalstakeholders.

• Works in an office environment.

• 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.

The University of Houston System and its universities are Equal Opportunity Institutions. Everyone is encouraged to apply.