Director for Graduate Student Success and Development

Duke University; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke University seeks a Director for Graduate Student Success and Development to shape the graduate experience from recruitment through degree completion.

The role partners with faculty, staff, students, and external organizations to design programs supporting student success, belonging, and academic excellence, influencing recruitment, engagement, and development of a diverse graduate community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required with analytical, communications, and organizational skills.
• At least 3 years in higher education or related area; doctorate preferred.
• Experience in university settings and graduate education knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead Graduate Student Recruitment Initiatives and build recruitment networks.
• Advance graduate student success, retention, and sense of belonging across units.
• Drive assessment, reporting, and strategic improvements for programs.
• Contribute to Graduate Student Affairs leadership and cross-institution partnerships.

Skills

Recruitment leadership

Enrollment initiatives

Stakeholder collaboration

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Director for Graduate Student Success and Development

Work Arrangement: On-Site

Requisition Number: 274161

Regular or Temporary: Regular

Location: Durham, NC, US, 27710

Personnel Area: UNIVERSITY

Date: Aug 28, 2026

Duke University

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique experiences, perspectives, and aspirations that strengthen our academic community. As the Director for Graduate Student Success and Development, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the graduate student experience from recruitment through degree completion.

In this highly collaborative leadership role, you will partner with faculty, staff, students, and external organizations to create programs and services that support student success, foster belonging, and promote academic excellence. Your work will directly impact the recruitment, engagement, retention, and development of a diverse and thriving graduate student community.

If you are passionate about student success, relationship building, program innovation, and advancing graduate education, we encourage you to bring your talents to Duke.

Be Bold.

As a strategic leader within Graduate Student Affairs, you will develop and implement innovative programs that enhance the graduate student experience while supporting institutional goals related to recruitment, retention, engagement, and student development.

What You'll Do

Lead Graduate Student Recruitment Initiatives

• Develop and execute comprehensive graduate student recruitment strategies for master's and doctoral programs.
• Partner with Admissions, faculty, staff, and current students to build strong recruitment networks and pipelines.
• Represent Duke at recruitment fairs, workshops, campus visits, and outreach programs.
• Coordinate visitation opportunities, research experiences, and pre-application programs for prospective students.
• Expand partnerships through initiatives such as the EDGE Collaborative and other strategic recruitment alliances.
• Explore and support the development of innovative pathways, including inter-institutional 4+1 programs.

Advance Student Success, Retention, and Belonging

• Design, implement, assess, and continuously improve programs that support graduate student persistence and success.
• Foster meaningful connections across academic departments to promote best practices that enhance student outcomes.
• Create initiatives that strengthen belonging, engagement, and community among graduate students.
• Provide individualized guidance and connect students with resources that support their academic, personal, professional, financial, and social well-being.
• Collaborate with campus partners to provide training and resources related to cultural awareness, crisis response, and student support.

Drive Assessment and Strategic Improvement

• Evaluate programs and peer institution practices to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Develop reports and recommendations that inform strategic decision-making and student success initiatives.
• Use research, assessment data, and emerging trends to enhance Graduate Student Affairs programs and services.

Contribute to Graduate Student Affairs Leadership

• Support signature Graduate Student Affairs programs and events, including orientation, recognition ceremonies, appreciation initiatives, and awards programs.
• Serve as a trusted resource and liaison for graduate student organizations, student leaders, faculty, and staff.
• Advise student organizations on operational, financial, and organizational matters.
• Build partnerships across Duke, professional organizations, peer institutions, and national graduate education networks.
• Assist with publications, presentations, communications, and resource development that showcase Graduate Student Affairs achievements.
• Actively contribute to team planning, goal setting, and continuous improvement efforts.

What You'll Bring

Education

Work requires a knowledge and understanding of college experience and student life as well as analytical, communications and organizational skills generally acquired through completion of a bachelor's degree program.

Experience

Work experience of at least 3 years in related area is required, with preference for those who have earned a doctorate. Must have experience in university setting, broad knowledge of higher education, and specific knowledge of issues related to graduate education.

Degrees, Licensures, Certifications

Work experience of at least 3 years in related area is required, with preference for those who have earned a doctorate. Must have experience in university setting, broad knowledge of higher education, and specific knowledge of issues related to graduate education.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Significant, progressively responsible experience leading recruitment and enrollment initiatives in higher education, preferably for master’s and doctoral programs.
• Demonstrated success developing, implementing, and evaluating comprehensive recruitment strategies that strengthen applicant pipelines, expand reach, and advance enrollment goals.
• Experience providing strategic leadership for recruitment efforts across multiple stakeholders, including admissions, faculty, academic programs, staff, current students, and external partners.
• Proven ability to build and sustain high-impact recruitment partnerships with peer institutions, professional organizations, community-based organizations, and other strategic collaborators.
• Experience leading recruitment communications, prospective-student engagement, campus visit programs, fairs, workshops, and other outreach initiatives.
• Ability to use enrollment data, market trends, and prospective-student feedback to set priorities, assess outcomes, and continuously improve recruitment strategy.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, or coordinating the work of staff, student ambassadors, or cross-functional recruitment teams.
• Strong strategic planning, project-management, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Outstanding written, verbal, and presentation communication skills, including experience developing compelling recruitment publications and promotional materials.
• Demonstrated success supporting graduate students through advising, coaching, counseling, or student services.
• Exceptional collaboration, networking, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills.
• Candidates must have the ability and willingness to travel.

Choose Duke.

At Duke, you'll join a world-class institution dedicated to academic excellence, innovation, and community impact. You'll have the opportunity to shape the graduate student experience, collaborate with talented colleagues across disciplines, and contribute to programs that help students thrive academically, professionally, and personally.

When you choose Duke, you join a community that values curiosity, collaboration, integrity, and belonging while empowering individuals to make meaningful contributions every day.

Anticipated Pay Range

Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $64,505.00 to USD $106,121.00. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender,gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).