Director, Gator Success Center

The Director of the Gator Success Institute (GSI) plays a strategic leadership role in developing, implementing, and assessing programs and services that support student retention, persistence, and completion. This role collaborates with academic departments, advising, enrollment services, and student support units to ensure a holistic and data-driven approach to student success.

• Oversees the daily operation of GSI and is responsible for the strategic planning and leadership, and ensures alignment with institutional goals
• Develops and implements a comprehensive vision that prioritizes and improves retention, academic success, and degree completion.
• Serves as the thought leader and advocate for innovative practices in student success
• Oversees the implementation and evaluation of GSI programs and initiatives, such as but not limited to academic coaching, first-year experience programming, peer mentoring, etc.
• Manages budget allocations, expenditures, and maintains compliance in accordance with the terms of fund awards and the financial activities of program initiatives.
• Establishes KPI’s related to retention, graduation rates, and student satisfaction.
• Supervises, develops, and mentors departmental staff.
• Develops programming to address the needs of underserved populations
• Partners with academic departments, faculty, and student services to streamline student support pathways and serves as primary liaison between academic and non-academic units to remove barriers to student success
• Builds partnerships with external organizations to secure funding, resources, and additional opportunities for students and advocates for GSI programs
• Leads the department in utilizing data to assess program effectiveness and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Prepare and present reports on retention, persistence, and student performance trends, and implement continuous improvement plans based on data analysis and best practices

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

Direct Reports:

• Full-time Employees

Delegation of Work:

• Regularly assigns work to subordinate(s)

Supervision Given:

• Has primary responsibility for conducting performance evaluations and making recommendations for hiring and dismissing employees.

Required Education:

• Master's degree from an accredited college/university                                                     

Required Experience:

• Five (5) years of related job experience

License/Certification:

• None

• 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:

• 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

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 

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• • Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
  • Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Financial Management

• Manages assigned financial resources in compliance with federal, State, and university policies and procedures.
• Monitors expenditures to ensure they are authorized and within approved budget.
• Reports accurate and reliable data of financial transactions and resources.
• Promptly notifies management of budget issues and/or discrepancies.

Supervision

• Supervises the work of staff employees.
• Sets clear goals and expectations within reasonable timeframes.
• Motivates staff through constructive feedback, challenging assignments, and recognition of achievements.
• Provides mentorship and guidance by sharing expertise and best practices.
• Supports staff by providing essential resources, professional development opportunities, and open communication.
• Promptly addresses performance issues with appropriate measures and discretion.

Decision Making

• Demonstrates the ability to make informed decisions in a timely manner.
• Assimilates and/or secures relevant information to assess the risks and benefits of alternatives.
• Considers impact of decision in the long and short term.

Building External Relationships

• Demonstrates the ability to build rapport and develop relationships with external constituents.
• Displays a genuine interest in constituents' ideas and concerns, and pursues mutual interests and aspirations between the university and external constituents.
• Builds trust and forms alliances through shared respect and cooperation.

Student Success Direct Support

• Assists and/or advises students and/or prospective students with academic plans and course selection, financial options, career plans, and/or student opportunities.
• Contributes to student success through careful monitoring of student progress within caseload.
• Promotes student success through regular and persistent outreach to student caseload.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Shares relevant knowledge and insight to apprise students of programs and services available to them.
• Listens and responds to student requests and concerns with patience and understanding.
• Treats students with respect.