Student Experience Director

Inside Higher Ed; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 69,913 - 104,870; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution is seeking a Student Experience Director in Columbia, South Carolina. This role provides strategic leadership for a comprehensive student experience program and requires a bachelor's degree along with five years of related experience. Responsibilities include overseeing student programs, strategic planning, and training staff. Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills are essential. The ideal candidate will also have experience with educational software and managing high-ability students.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and five or more years of relevant experience.
• Experience directly supervising full-time staff positions is preferred.
• Work with high-ability students.
• Some knowledge of university policies and procedures is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Oversee student experience program strategic planning and budget oversight.
• Create and implement annual strategic goals.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on coaching initiatives.
• Track and monitor honors progression for students.

Skills

Team-oriented environment

Excellent written communication skills

Excellent oral communication skills

Analytical skills

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related field

Tools

Banner

Degree Works

EAB Navigate

Self-Service Carolina

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Student Experience Director

Location: Columbia, South Carolina

Salary Range: $69,913 – $87,391 – $104,870

Schedule: Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (1‑hour lunch). Hours per week: 37.5.

Job Summary

The Student Experience Director, with limited supervision from the Assistant Dean of Student Success, provides strategic, data‑informed leadership for a comprehensive student experience program in the South Carolina Honors College. The director is responsible for strategic planning, budget oversight, research, and assessment for a comprehensive student experience model that supports Honors students’ academic persistence, holistic well‑being, leadership development, career preparation, and long‑term success. The Director trains and supervises several staff providing individualized, developmental guidance to students. The incumbent will serve an assigned number of students and fill in as needed during vacancies on the team. Honors College staff members should possess a wide‑ranging intellectual curiosity and a commitment to working with high‑achieving students.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and five or more years of related experience. An equivalent combination of certification, training, education, and/or experience may substitute.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience directly supervising full‑time staff positions, previous advising experience, and experience working with high‑ability students.
• Experience with Banner, Degree Works, EAB Navigate and Self‑Service Carolina.
• Some knowledge of USC policies, procedures, and programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to function in a fast‑paced, team‑oriented environment.
• Well organized and possessing excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to deal diplomatically with various constituent groups and proficiency in Microsoft Office Software (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret information accurately.

Responsibilities

Program Management

• Provides strategic oversight of the college’s comprehensive student experience program.
• Collaborates with senior leadership to align coaching initiatives with college and institutional goals.
• Creates and implements an annual plan with strategic goals and initiatives.
• Responsible for annual budget creation and oversight.
• Creates and executes an assessment plan using data, dashboards, and assessment tools to evaluate student success outcomes.
• Gathers and evaluates statistical information on participation and outcomes to use in the departmental blueprint and to share with primary stakeholders.
• Benchmarks SCHC’s program against other programs nationally.

Program Coordination

• Establishes holistic student support frameworks that ensures consistent standards and operational effectiveness.
• Serves as liaison to the University Advising Center for Honors staff access to and training on resources, advising software and tools.
• Plans and runs training and bi‑weekly meetings for the student experience team.
• Prepares presentations, materials, and handouts.
• Maintains and updates relevant SCHC webpages.
• Assigns students to coordinators, ensuring balanced caseloads.
• Obtains and maintains records of students advised during spring and fall semesters, in collaboration with Student Services.
• Collaborates with university advising, SCHC program areas, student wellness, and other campus partners to advance holistic student success and a supportive Honors environment.

Student Guidance

• Guides honors students toward an individualized and rich collegiate experience that includes research, study abroad, service learning, national fellowships, and/or internships leading to graduation and post‑graduation success.
• Uses available technologies to ensure accurate and effective guidance.
• Participates in on‑going training to ensure information accuracy and effective advising techniques.
• Assumes caseloads of direct reports during position vacancies or in times of expanded enrollment.

Supervision

• Hires, supervises, trains, and evaluates professional staff who provide individualized, developmental support to students.
• Uses appropriate management principles according to University and College policy and procedures, completes EPMS forms timely and accurately, and monitors employee progress toward goal attainment.
• Communicates expectations and provides feedback to assist employees with performance improvement, personal development, and skills/competency development.

Honors Progress and Retention

• Tracks and monitors honors progression requirements for all SCHC students.
• Identifies and meets with students who are at‑risk of not meeting honors progression.
• Follows through and tracks the advancement of at‑risk students.
• Serves as liaison to academic advisors who identify students deemed at‑risk for honors progression.
• Creates retention initiatives.

Other Duties

• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned, in support of other activities of the Honors College.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.