Student Recruitment and Retention Manager

MERS Goodwill; Missouri; On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision insurance

Life and AD&D insurance

403(b) Retirement with employer match

401(k) Retirement plan

PTO accrual up to 15 days

Paid holidays

Flexible schedules

Job summary

MERS Missouri Goodwill seeks a dynamic Student Recruitment and Retention Manager to join our St Louis Excel Center team. You will lead community engagement, recruitment initiatives, and student retention programs to advance our mission, Changing Lives Through the Power of Work.

Key duties include relationship-building with partners, designing enrollment processes, and coordinating events while supporting students toward success and career readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of five years of experience in adult education, workforce development, or human services required.
• Ability to work a modified schedule (10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.) and occasional weekends.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with community partners and stakeholders.
• Valid driver's license, current automobile insurance, and reliable transportation required.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain community relationships to increase awareness of the Excel Center.
• Deliver a compelling elevator pitch on Goodwill’s mission and impact to stakeholders.
• Strengthen existing partnerships and identify new collaborations for student success.
• Develop and manage recruitment and enrollment systems including outreach, events, and orientation processes.
• Foster a strong, engaging student community and overall experience.
• Plan and deliver student-focused events addressing barriers and career readiness.
• Maintain follow-up systems for returning students and alumni.
• Partner with Life Coaches and campus leadership to address barriers and celebrate progress.
• Collect and use student feedback to improve the experience.
• Supervise and evaluate College & Career Readiness Specialists.

Skills

5+ years experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Job description

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Student Recruitment and Retention Manager

Date: Aug 12, 2026

Location: Saint Louis, MO, US, 63103

Company: MERS Goodwill

Required Travel:25%
Position Type:Salaried
Salary Range:$50,000 - $65,000

MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries is looking for an energetic, self-motivated, and professional Student Recruitment and Retention Manager to join our St Louis Excel Center team! The ideal candidate will support our mission, "Changing Lives Through the Power of Work!" and embody our core values of diversity, integrity, passion, professionalism, respect, and responsibility.

If you're seeking an opportunity that empowers you to achieve new goals while pursuing a mission-driven career, then this is the perfect fit for you.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required; Master's degree preferred. Degrees in Social Work, Education, Human Services, or a related field are preferred. Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum of five years of experience in adult education, workforce development, or human services required. Experience in student, participant, or employee recruitment is preferred.
• Ability to work a modified schedule at least one day per week (10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. or 12:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.) and participate in occasional weekend events and activities.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with community partners and stakeholders while working collaboratively as part of a team.
• Valid driver's license, current automobile insurance, and reliable personal transportation required.

Primary Duties/Responsibilities

Community Engagement & Student Recruitment

• Build and maintain community relationships to increase awareness of the Excel Center.
• Deliver a compelling elevator pitch on Goodwill’s mission and impact to a variety of stakeholders.
• Strengthen existing partnerships and identify new collaborative relationships aligned with student success.
• Develop and manage effective recruitment and enrollment systems, including outreach, event coordination, and clear orientation processes.

Student Retention & Success

• Foster a strong, engaging student community and overall experience.
• Plan and deliver student-focused events (e.g., Lunch & Learns) addressing barriers and career readiness.
• Maintain follow-up systems for returning students and alumni.
• Partner with Life Coaches and campus leadership to address barriers and celebrate student progress.
• Collect and use student feedback to continuously improve the experience.
• Supervise and evaluate College & Career Readiness Specialists.
• Individual and family medical benefits for full-time employees working 30 or more hours per week.
• Individual and family dental and vision benefits on the first of the month following the hire date for employees working 20 or more hours week.
• Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance on the first of the month following the hire date for employees working 20 or more hours per week.
• 403(B) Retirement on date of hire for employees working 20 or more hours per week.
• 403(B) Retirement + Employer Match after one year of employment for employees working 20 or more hours per week.
• 401(A) Retirement on date of hire for employees working 20 or more hours per week.
• PTO Accrual up to 15 days based on hours worked.
• Paid holidays
• Flexible Schedules

MERS Missouri Goodwill is an equal-opportunity employer. MERS Goodwill does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or any other non-merit factor.

MERS Missouri Goodwill requires various background and records checks upon employment.