Director, Advising and Retention

Texas A&M University - Central Texas; Killeen (TX); On-site; USD 76,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance Premiums

Employee Assistance Program

University Holidays

Employee Directory

Job summary

Texas A&M University - Central Texas is seeking a Director of Advising and Retention within the Warrior Center for Student Success in Killeen. This leadership role oversees academic advising, retention services, and program development to promote student success and graduation.

The director leads change management for advising structures and technology adoption, aligning resources with institutional goals. Collaboration with deans and campus partners is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eight (8) years of related experience in higher education with three (3) years in academic advising.
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead institution-wide academic advising and retention services grounded in advising theories and best practices.
• Direct change management for advising structure, workflows, and technology adoption.
• Adapt advising/retention services based on student needs and assessment results.
• Establish, monitor, and report KPIs for department staff supporting student success and graduation.
• Allocate resources and advocate for additional resources.
• Coordinate with campus partners to improve conditions affecting student success.
• Collaborate with deans to meet program-specific advising needs.
• Develop advisor professional development program based in theory and research.
• Create reference materials for advisors reflecting policies and guidelines.
• Lead reporting and assessment strategies for continuous improvement.
• Lead strategic planning for advising units.
• Conduct research and present best practices to foster growth.
• Collaborate to implement technology supporting advisement and student mobility.

Skills

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Communication skills

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree

8+ years higher education experience

3+ years supervisory experience

Tools

Banner

DegreeWorks

Civitas Learning

Job description

Job Title

Director, Advising and Retention Agency Texas A&M University - Central Texas Department Warrior Center for Student Success

Proposed Minimum Salary

$6,666.67 monthly

Job Location

Killeen, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The Director of Advising and Retention, under general direction, oversees and coordinates academic advising and retention services grounded in best practices and appropriate advising and student development theories. A Presidential Proclamation issued on September 19, 2025, imposes a $100,000 fee on all new H‑1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025, and Texas A&M University–Central Texas will not pay this fee. Additionally, a moratorium issued by Governor Abbott on January 27, 2026, restricts the filing of new H‑1B petitions unless approved by the Texas Workforce Commission. Accordingly, if you will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status this moratorium may affect our ability to employ you should you be selected as the final candidate. Applicants must be authorized to work for any U.S. employer.

• Responsible for leading institution-wide academic advising and retention services that are grounded in academic advising and student development theories and best practices.
• Leads change management efforts associated with advising structure, workflows, and technology adoption.
• Proactively adapts advising and retention services in response to students’ needs and assessment results.
• Establishes, monitors, and reports on key performance indicators for department staff in support of institutional goals for student success and graduation.
• Allocates fiscal and personnel resources and advocates for additional resources.
• Coordinates with campus partners to develop strategies that ameliorate conditions that inhibit student success and that amplify conditions that foster student success.
• Works collaboratively with deans and department chairs to ensure that academic advising services meet distinct needs of programs and students.
• Establishes a program of advisor professional development based in theory, best practices, and recent research.
• Develops reference materials for advisors that reflect common practices, policies, and guidelines.
• Leads the development of reporting and assessment strategies in support of continuous improvement.
• Leads strategic planning for advising unit(s).
• Conducts research and presents on best practices and theory within the field of academic advising, students in transition, and related topics to foster professional growth and improve the student advising experience.
• Works with campus partners to implement and maintain applicable technology to support student advisement, learning mobility, and student success/retention.
• Identifies emerging trends and develops strategies for initiatives that increase student retention and graduation.
• Actively seeks opportunities to serve on committees or in leadership positions for professional organizations that promote advising or student success.
• Identify and procure technology and applications that support advising and student success.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Knowledge of budget management and strategic planning
• Knowledge of software applications used in higher education; including student information systems, degree audit systems, and student success/retention platforms.
• Experience with Banner, DegreeWorks, and Civitas Learning platforms preferred.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Strong verbal and written communications.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Eight (8) years of related experience in higher education with three (3) years in academic advising.
• Three (3) years of supervisory experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with student caseloads.

Salary

$80,000.00

Hours

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional nights and weekends as needed to support related program activities.

Supervision of Others

This position supervises others.

Work Location

This is not a remote position. The selected candidate will be required to work on campus.

Benefits Summary

• Insurance Premiums
• Employee Assistance Program
• University Holidays
• Employee Directory

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

Thank you for your interest in a career at Texas A&M University - Central Texas! A Proud Member of the Texas A&M University System Texas A&M University-Central Texas was established in 2009 as a member of the Texas A&M University System, one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation. A&M-Central Texas is an upper-level institution, fully aligned with regional community colleges and offering quality bachelor's and master's degrees with an emphasis on access and affordability. The student population at A&M-Central Texas is diverse and growing, with more than 2,600 students currently enrolled. To accommodate both full and part‑time students, classes are offered on the main campus in Killeen, at off‑site locations like Fort Hood and the East Williamson County Higher Education Center in Hutto, as well as fully online. The University serves the Central Texas region with a growing range of academic programs that foster excellence and achievement. At A&M-Central Texas, employees are part of a mission‑driven community that values innovation, growth, and well‑being—backed by strategic investments in compensation, culture, and career development.

For more information about A&M-Central Texas, visit www.tamuct.edu.

In accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments Act of 1972 and System Policy 08.01.01, Civil Rights Compliance, Texas A&M University Central Texas does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its education programs and activities, including admission and employment.

Texas A&M University-Central Texas is an Equal Opportunity/ Veterans/ Disability Employer.

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