Director, Gator Success Institute

University of Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 72,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

The Director of Gator Success Institute at University of Houston leads a data-driven ecosystem to boost student retention and degree completion. The role shapes first-year experience programs, academic coaching, mentoring, and underserved student support with a focus on proactive needs identification.

It requires a Master’s degree, substantial experience in student success initiatives, and the ability to manage partnerships, budgets, and data-informed program improvements.

Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited college/university.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Oversees daily operations of GSI and provides strategic leadership to ensure programs and services align with retention goals.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive vision that advances retention, achievement, and degree completion.
• Directs the implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of initiatives including academic coaching and mentoring.
• Establishes KPIs to measure retention, graduation, and student satisfaction outcomes.
• Leads data-driven assessment of programs and informs strategic enhancements.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Data-driven decisions

Stakeholder management

Change management

Education

Master's degree

Job description

Department

Gator Success Institute

Salary

$72,265 - $88,524

Description

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Gator Success Institute elevates student retention, persistence, and degreecompletion by building a coordinated, data-driven ecosystem of support that helps studentsnavigate their academic journey successfully. The Director ensures the institution can proactivelyidentify 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.

DUTIES:

• Oversees daily operations of GSI and provides strategic leadership to ensure programs andservices align with institutional student-success goals.
• Develops and implements a comprehensive vision that advances retention, academicachievement, and degree completion.
• Serves as a thought leader and advocate for innovative, research-based student-successpractices.
• Directs the implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of initiatives, includingacademic coaching, first-year experience programming, peer mentoring, and support forunderserved populations.
• Establishes key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure retention, graduation, and studentsatisfaction 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, andimplements continuous improvement plans based on data analysis and best practices.
• Manages departmental budgets, expenditures, and financial compliance in accordance withinstitutional 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 studentsupport pathways and remove barriers to student success.
• Serves as the primary liaison between academic and non-academic units to ensurecoordinated, holistic support for students.
• Builds partnerships with external organizations to secure funding, resources, and opportunitiesthat strengthen GSI programs and student outcomes.

MARGINAL DUTIES

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

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Master's degree from an accredited college/university
Experience: Five (5) years of related job experience
License/Certification: None required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of visionary leadership, student success theories, development,and best practices.
• Knowledgeable in managing change and leading organizationalimprovements.
• 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 externalstakeholders.

WORK LOCATION AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Primary WorkLocation:

• 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.

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.