The Director for Student Success is responsible for developing, managing and implementing programmatic and operational efforts of the Office of Student Success. The Director will engage within the OSS and between AYCSS offices and services to conceive, design, and develop innovative strategies and solutions to best serve MSU students to support retention and graduation goals. The successful candidate will combine an ability to “think big” with the ability to “move quick” while performing and creating “great work.” We in search of a passionate, data-driven decision maker who likes experimenting, setting high standards, and staying ahead of dynamic, complex and wicked problems to find solutions. An ideal candidate will thrive in an entrepreneurial environment and not be hindered by ambiguity or multiple competing priorities.
The Director is a member of a team that is focused on driving outcomes to improve persistence, graduation rates and career outcomes for MSU students. With the work of this team, we hope to establish best practices for improving the experience of all students at MSU, including but not limited to Q1 – Q2.5 students (students with great potential but who might have not performed at their highest possible capability in high school).
As part of the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success, the Director collaborates closely with the efforts of the other offices in the Center, including Career, Internship & Student Employment Services, the Return-to-Learn Program, the Hilleman Scholars Program and the Office of Financial Education. In addition, the Director also partners closely with the following campus offices/programs: Registrar’s Office, Academic Advising Center, Student, Accounts, Residence Life Office, Office of Financial Aid, Counseling & Psychological Services, Gallatin College, Provost Office, the Dean of Students, and major specific Academic Advisors, etc.
The Director is a member of a team that is focused on driving outcomes to improve persistence, graduation rates and career outcomes for MSU students. With the work of this team, we hope to establish best practices for improving the experience of all students at MSU, including but not limited to Q1 – Q2.5 students (students with great potential but who might have not performed at their highest possible capability in high school).
As part of the Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success, the Director collaborates closely with the efforts of the other offices in the Center, including Career, Internship & Student Employment Services, the Return-to-Learn Program, the Hilleman Scholars Program and the Office of Financial Education. In addition, the Director also partners closely with the following campus offices/programs: Registrar’s Office, Academic Advising Center, Student, Accounts, Residence Life Office, Office of Financial Aid, Counseling & Psychological Services, Gallatin College, Provost Office, the Dean of Students, and major specific Academic Advisors, etc.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Work with a cross-functional team to define processes that will grow new opportunities for the individuals we serve and the Center.
- Define and execute multiple time-sensitive, large-scale projects to meet program objectives in defined timeframes (examples include but aren’t limited to Adventures MSU, MSU 101, Flowzones, SecondWind, etc.).
- Oversee all aspects of delivery of the Beginning College Survey of Student Engagement for incoming students to MSU.
- Identify, drive, and develop best practices, efficiencies, and project workflows.
- Communicate with teammates and management on project status, strategy, risks, and issues.
- Anticipate bottlenecks, provide escalation management, make tradeoffs, and balance program needs with technical constraints.
- Work collaboratively with AYCSS staff and administration to develop and employ new methods to advance and grow affiliated programs.
- Participate and actively engage in professional learning communities and staff training and development to improve professional and student outcomes.
- Ensure service excellence, soundness of practice and program metrics are achieved to improve student outcomes using theory, best practices, partnerships, and critical thinking to establish benchmarks and plans to improve outcomes.
- Work with other team members to ensure student associates, success mentors and other part and full-time staff are properly trained, supported, prepared and assessed. This work is accomplished through supervision and co-supervision.
- Provide logistical and operational direction and support of programs and events (to include event promotion, logistics, set-up, managing web-page, etc.).
- Work in conjunction with various campus constituents on initiatives and partnerships.
- Maintain a flexible schedule to host events and interact with students during evening and occasional weekend hours.
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Combination of education and/or applicable experience equivalent to a Master’s Degree in Project Management or other related field or experience.
- Demonstrated experience in program development, management, implementation and delivery assessment.
- Demonstrated experience working with college level students in areas aligned with student success.
- Demonstrated competence using personal computers and various software such as word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation, email and internet.
- Strong data analysis, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to use data and metrics to back up assumptions, recommendations, and drive actions.
- Able to prioritize complex deliverables, have highly technical and informed discussions leading to good decisions and thoughtful outcomes.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where continuous innovation and improvement is desired.
- Proven ability to influence others, facilitating agreement among stakeholders with different interests.
Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
- Combination of education and/or applicable experience equivalent to a Doctorate’s Degree in Degree in Education, Psychology, Communications, etc.
- Demonstrated experience with project management
- Demonstrated experience in coordinating multiple initiatives while working with various constituents bringing project to a successful completion
- Demonstrated experience with developing written content for specific audiences
- Demonstrated experience planning events or programs with multiple constraints and considerations that must be thought-through or planned
- Demonstrated experience teaching and researching at the university level
- Demonstrated experience successfully writing grants and/or project proposals
The Successful Candidate Will
- Make a concerted effort to practice clear communication and build strong relationships with campus partners in order to facilitate career development at MSU
- Possess the ability to be a team member and work cooperatively, and with respect, alongside fellow teammates in pursuit of a common goal
- Be a self-starter
- Have superb organizational skills and attention to detail
- Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Have experience working successfully in a team-oriented environment with a wide range of key constituents both internal and external to the organization
- Possess sound decision-making skills
- Possess an enthusiastic approach and a high level of integrity
- Have proficient knowledge of and experience using personal computers
- High sense of ownership, urgency, and drive
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
This position will require scheduled evening and potential weekend hours to host events and interact with students.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties?
Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
Upon completion of a successful search.
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on or before July 22, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.
Special Instructions
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
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