Student Success Associate

University of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Minnesota is seeking a Student Success Associate to support the Office of Undergraduate Education, coordinating events, front desk operations, and HR tasks for student staff. This Civil-Service, full-time role requires strong communication, organization, and customer service skills in a fast-paced university environment.

Responsibilities include leading campus-wide trainings, managing budgets, coordinating vendor contracts, and maintaining advising resources and calendars.

Qualifications

• BA/BS degree or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Experience in administrative, program, or event coordination including event logistics and basic budget/purchasing reconciliation.
• Proven organizational skills with ability to manage multiple timelines and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and handle complex requests.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and electronic calendaring.
• Exceptional customer service skills focused on supporting undergraduate students and staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead event management including planning, budgeting, and evaluation for the Student Success Units.
• Coordinate logistics for campus events: venue, catering, tech support, RSVPs, setup, and materials.
• Maintain records to ensure policy compliance and develop budget proposals for future periods.
• Manage vendor contracts and negotiations for space rentals, catering, and equipment.
• Supervise student employees and oversee front desk operations in 511 Bruininks Hall.
• Handle HR requests and hiring workflows for student staff in selected units.
• Create and maintain central advising resources, calendars, and event web pages.

Skills

Event coordination

Project management

Budget reconciliation

Customer service

Communication skills

Education

BA/BS degree

Tools

Google Workspace

Electronic calendaring

Job description

About the Job

Job ID: 375839

Location: Twin Cities

Job Family: Administration

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Job Code: 8201AO

Employee Class: Civil Service

Note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Student Success Associate manages comprehensive administrative and programmatic functions for the Student Success Unit within the Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE). The OUE Student Success Unit includes student services reporting to the Associate Vice Provost for Student Success, including the Center for Academic Planning & Exploration (CAPE), Central Advising Initiatives, Tutoring & Academic Success Center (TASC), President's Emerging Scholars (PES), the First-Gen Student Success Center, Transfer Initiatives, and Orientation & Transition Experiences (OTE). This position supports staff across the Student Success Units, predominantly supporting staff in Advising Initiatives and CAPE. This position reports to the Operations Manager of OUE Student Success.

This position is responsible for coordinating and managing general operations, including event planning and overall coordination of activities and services. The Student Success Associate specifically supports shared services housed in 511 Bruininks Hall and overall unit activities. Key responsibilities include coordinating logistics for campus-wide training and programs, providing committee and project management, overseeing daily HR and purchasing tasks, managing front desk operations and workflow, and supervising student employees.

The ideal candidate is an energetic and adaptable professional who thrives in a fast-paced and complex educational environment. Strong communication skills, initiative, flexibility, attention to detail, follow-through, and effective problem-solving abilities are essential for success in this role.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Event and Program Management (40%)

• Lead overall event management including leading operational planning, implementation, budget management, and event evaluation for the OUE Student Success Units. Events typically consist of trainings, forums, retreats, conferences, committees, and professional development activities for student services and advising groups as well as occasional student events.
• Coordinate logistics for events, including venue reservations (on and off campus), catering, technology support, RSVPs, setup, and materials preparation.
• Maintain accurate records and reports of event details to ensure compliance with University policies.
• Develop OUE event budget proposals and manage expenses. Project future event costs for next fiscal year budget planning.
• Manage vendor contracts for OUE Student Success events (e.g. space rentals, caterers, equipment rentals, printing). Negotiate with vendors and follow up if services provided do not fulfill contract terms.
• Coordinate for the John Tate Advising Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising, including maintaining the website, organizing the selection committee, and managing logistics for the awards ceremony.
• Evaluate and measure event success.

Office Operations & Supervision (25%)

• Oversee front desk operations in 511 Bruininks Hall, ensuring a welcoming, student-centered, and service-oriented experience for all visitors.
• Hire, train and supervise student office assistants as they provide front desk services.
• Coordinate front desk and floor-wide procedures and operations that promote high-quality customer service and efficient support.
• Lead student staff meetings, provide developmental coaching and feedback, and conduct performance reviews for student employees.
• Provide front desk coverage as needed, modeling excellent service and professionalism.
• Manage and recommend improvements for suite and building operations, including office space, security management, and emergency procedures

HR & Financial Operations (20%)

• Execute finance processes for select Student Success units.
• Make and reconcile departmental purchases in compliance with University Policy.
• Maintain office supplies and procure needed equipment for OUESS staff (e.g. technology, software, furniture, etc.).
• Process HR requests and manage the hiring workflow of student employees in select Student Success units.

Additional Administrative Support (15%)

• Execute administrative tasks and resolve logistical conflicts quickly to maintain a smooth, well-coordinated work environment.
• Create and maintain central advising and student resources including websites, training tools, and the advising events calendar and webpage
• Calendaring and meeting support for Associate Vice Provost and key unit activities
• Respond to inquiries and requests via phone, in-person, and email to internal and external stakeholders. Coordinate responses and consult with other staff on various concerns.
• Participate in professional development events and activities in the unit, University, and/or broader community
• Serve on unit and University-wide committees as requested
• Assist all OUE Student Success programs, as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Work Environment: This position is expected to work on-campus in 511 Bruininks Hall on the East Bank. Remote work days may be available as the position continues.

Qualifications

Required Position Requirements

• BA/BS degree OR a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years.
• Experience in administrative, program, or event coordination, including event logistics and basic budget/purchasing reconciliation.
• Demonstrated organizational skills with a proven ability to prioritize overlapping administrative tasks, manage multiple timelines, and shift priorities to meet deadlines.
• Proven capacity to work independently and manage complex logistical requests (both verbal and written) with minimal supervision.
• Proficiency in standard office software, including Google Workspace and electronic calendaring.
• Exceptional customer service skills focused on supporting undergraduate students, student staff, and professional colleagues.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team.

Preferred Position Requirements

• One year of related administrative experience in a higher education setting.
• Experience coordinating staff-facing events, workshops, and professional development programs in an academic environment.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and ability to work effectively with diverse student and staff populations.
• Familiarity with U of M administrative systems and processes (e.g., purchasing, student records, hiring systems, or web content tools).
• Ability to exercise initiative, adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment, and resolve operational challenges creatively.
• Previous experience supervising students or part-time staff, with a developmental focus

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $52,000 to $55,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% A appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world‑renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.